Home Birth Story

I had the privilege of capturing Rosie’s empowering home birth for her second baby.

It was such a beautiful birth to witness- and I hope the images also help you visualize the story.

Read on for Rosie’s incredible birth story:

On the 3/9/25 I was 39 weeks pregnant and on my 4th week of maternity leave. This was my second pregnancy and I was anticipating to go into labour sooner as my first born was born at 37+3. For a couple of weeks I was having many early labour signs, lots of cramping, lots of Braxton hicks, lightning crotch, loose stools and was very emotional.

Each day I was thinking “oh I could be in labour”. 

On this day Mitch picked up our son early from daycare and we decided to go to a park near us with our dog Frank.

At around 5pm when we got home, I was getting cramping that was noticeable but nothing that felt out of the ordinary from what I had been having for weeks. I snuggled with my 3 year old in bed and it was lovely but as I laid there I could feel the cramping a bit more. Still not thinking much of it though.

At 8:30pm the cramping hadn’t gone away. I messaged my doula Maegan telling her about the cramping I was feeling but I still didn’t think anything was happening. My partner and I then decided to put a movie on. While the movie was playing I was noticing the cramping to come to a peak and fizzle, I also was getting up to wee a lot and kept feeling like I needed to do a number 2. About half way through the movie at 10pm, I decided to go to bed and sleep incase if I was in early labour.

Then at around 11:15pm I woke instantly from my sleep to a really intense feeling of pressure. It felt like a sharp poo pain almost (at least that’s what I thought it was). So I raced to the toilet and sat there trying to do a number 2. It then got more intense that I had to stand up and brace myself against the kitchen counter. My partner Mitch who was on the lounge was asking if I was okay and I kept saying “I think I really need to do a poo”. I tried to sit on the toilet again and another surge came, it was so intense again that I had to stand up. I came out of the bathroom and walked to the lounge leaning over it and breathing every 2-3 minutes when I would get the intense surge. At this stage Mitch asked me if I thought I was in labour. I was in denial and saying “No no I think I just need to poo” and “if I am I think it’s early labour”.

When I would get the surges I wasn’t able to talk properly or make sense, this is when Mitch realised I was definitely in labour. He pleaded with me to ring my doula Maegan and the midwives. We then had a small argument as I didn’t think I was that far along and thought it was too early to call. My last birth was 26 hours long, so I really wasn’t anticipating a fast birth or even a few hours.

He then convinced me to call Maegan at 11:30pm, she remained very calmed and trusted me in how I was feeling. I was still in denial but at that stage couldn’t talk through the surges. She said she would get ready and head soon. Mitch then called the midwives, my midwife Bec just clocked off, so Danika answered the phone. She said to him she will start getting ready and head over.

Just as Mitch hung up the phone I felt a gush of fluids (my waters). That is when I finally accepted I was in labour.

Mitch then called everyone back, including my student Morgan, letting them know my waters had broke. While we were waiting for them to arrive, I was breathing through the contractions and for some reason crossing my legs, as I already was feeling urges to push. I think my mind hadn’t caught up to what my body was doing. Mitch then started filling up the pool and getting things set up.

Within 20-30 mins Danika, Maegan, Morgan , Mel (2nd midwife) and Hayley (Birth photographer) were there.

In my mind I was thinking why is everyone already here, I’m not that far along! We tried the tens machine but it was probably only on for 10 minutes as I had this urge to be in the water.

As soon as I got in the pool, I let my body float, it was instant relief of the pressure in my lower back. I was probably in the pool for around 10 minutes when I started feeling the urge to push.

My body was doing it for me, with each contraction I could feel my baby moving down. During this I gripped onto a birth comb in each hand and leant on Mitch while Maegan encouraged me and suggested ways I could move to open up. I found flipping onto my back, opening my legs and floating back into the water was comfortable.

It wasn’t long when everyone was around the pool encouraging me and reminding me my baby was almost here. Within 15 minutes, only a few contractions my baby’s head was out and with one more big contraction I let out a big moan and let my body release the pressure. That’s when my baby girl Elira’s body came out into the water. She came up, Danika unwrapped the cord and she was in my arms. The feeling was indescribable.

Not long after Mitch woke up our son Charlie so he could meet his baby sister. He was over the moon, so in love. Our dog Frankie was also very intrigued and did’t leave the pool side for the whole thing.

I spent time in the water before getting out and birthing the placenta standing up.

I then spent time rugged up on the lounge, feeding Bub while everyone did the checks around me and my 3 year old ran around crazy. I then had Maegan help me shower and debrief the whole quick experience with me before heading to the bed to have a cup of tea and avocado toast. Meanwhile Mitch had skin to skin with Elira while Charlie sat next to him. It was seriously perfect, I couldn’t have wished for a more smoother and peaceful experience.