Katie Trevathan

The profound impact my second birth experience had on me still hasn’t fully sunk in, even 20 months later. 

In June 2024, I was nearly 42 weeks pregnant. I was tired, heavy, and chasing after a busy two-year-old I could no longer carry. I desperately wanted my baby boy to arrive, but I was equally determined to let him come when he was ready, guided by the calm reassurance and wisdom of my incredible midwives. 

And boy did he decide!! 

My waters broke at 5am on June 10th. Assuming my labour would follow the same slow path as my first birth, I thought I had hours ahead of me and time to prepare the birth pool, take a gentle walk, organise snacks for the midwives, drop my daughter at daycare, maybe even rest and conserve some energy. We let my midwife know and planned to check in later that afternoon. 

By 7:30am, my husband noticed I had gone quiet and was pacing more. By 7:45am I told him firmly, “Get Sophie to daycare now.” When he returned at 8:30am, everything had changed. 

I was curled on the bed in the dark, breathing deeply, already in full labour. The intensity shocked me. With only my first birth to compare it to, I worried this must still be early labour yet the contractions were already a 9 out of 10. I remember telling my husband I was scared and needed him beside me… while also reminding him of his one job: get the birth pool ready. He was conflicted. 

By 8:45am contractions were relentless. Things that worked for my first labour experience, the TENS machine and the big ball, weren't coming anywhere near me this time. 

By 9:00am, I had entered another state entirely: powerful, instinctive, completely focused. I knew my baby was coming very soon. 

Then my beautiful midwife Ellie arrived, and everything shifted. She gave me space while holding me in complete support. She asked what I was feeling and trusted me when I said my baby was close. In that moment, she helped me trust my own instincts, and I felt an overwhelming sense of power. So different from my first birth experience. 

Ellie somehow guided me off my bed from the bedroom to the living room - a true marvel in itself- she then helped me settle into a position that felt right. Shortly after, Kelly arrived, just minutes before my baby was born. My husband watched in awe, slightly stunned at how quickly everything unfolded. 

At 9:25am, my boy entered the world - no pool was used in the making- and was placed straight onto my chest. He was safe. He was beautiful. He was perfect. 

We stayed together on the couch as I birthed the placenta. I was home, surrounded by calm and familiarity. My baby latched in his own time. There was no rush to anything. I was shown my incredible placenta, handed cups of tea and cake, and supported gently as I showered and settled into those first precious hours. 

I felt held, safe, and deeply respected. 

This birth showed me what my body was capable of. Bringing my baby into the world in a peaceful, supported environment was the most profound and life-changing experience of my life.