A gorgeous family, at home on a chilly Sunday evening. Their birth team trickle in as it becomes apparent this babe is on it’s way. Mum attempts to put her scrumptious toddler to bed, knowing it is the last bedtime he will be an only child, but of course he knows there is something happening and there is no way he is sleeping. But that’s ok, a close family friend is there to give him all the attention he needs. Quite simply, that involves cars, driving meticulously on any available surface. She is up to the job.

The pool is filled, heartrates checked. Labour takes more and more of her focus, and as she slips into the warm water the room draws quiet. She is calm, she is working hard. And she is ok. Her lover takes care of her with massage, water and tenderness.

We wait.

Then, late in the evening, her labour changes. We are all roused from our slightly sleepy state that is often induced when in the presence of a calm, labouring woman. The babe is closer.

A couple of magnificent, involuntary howls from mum tell of the immanent arrival… dad gets ready to catch his second born while the midwife, calm and quiet, is there in case he needs a hand.

He doesn’t.

A beautiful baby girl swims out into her fathers hands and through his tears he lifts her onto her mothers chest.

“A girl. We got a girl!”

Kisses. Tears. Cars get put down, briefly, so brother can meet his sister.

A beer is cracked, cuddles are had, phone calls made, more tears are shed.

This, is homebirth.

~You can have a squiz at this family’s pregnancy photos here~

~The beautiful midwife from this birth can be found here~