Calmbirth Birth Story - Jooce, Michael and Baby Piera- "Amy’s voice and encouragement was still there two years on"

I'm so pleased to share that Michael and I had another beautiful birth, welcoming our second daughter, Piera on 16/08/2025. Having completed Amy's Calmbirth course with our first daughter in 2023, Michael and I felt more confident and prepared going into the birth of our second babe. Although, I’ll admit, the thought of actually having to give birth again came with nerves!  

My last month of pregnancy was tough; I was feeling physically unwell while also parenting a very active two year old so I had lots of doubts and fears about being able to have another ‘no- low intervention’ birth. I didn’t feel as ‘prepared’ or ‘match fit’ physically or mentally for labour as I did with my first. 

So I read over our Calmbirth book and my birth affirmations, and added some new ones, to get me back into the zone. I really focused on relaxing my body and mind as much as possible and letting go of all the tension I was holding, both physically and mentally. 

At 39 weeks, I started feeling cramps on Thursday night and managed them with a heat pack. Come Friday I was cramping on and off all day but it was mild. I was so tired that I actually napped throughout the day, much to my surprise. But as the sun set and my husband finished work (hello safety and oxytocin) my contractions really hit and I knew it was go time. Having been induced with my first, I didn’t know what to expect labouring at home. I found it hard to get in the zone and find the ‘right’ space, but I moved my body as best I could and focused on my breathing. Michael started timing my contractions despite me saying it was too early. I had a shower, used the tens machine and combs to support me through my surges. I breathed low and slow as I did with my first baby and focused on the sensations as strong pressure. Michael was watching me and the clock closely and said it was time to go- I agreed and trusted him after labouring at home for 2.5 hours. But in a plot twist, when he called the birth suite they told us they didn’t have any beds and told us to go one of their other hospitals- this was a blessing in disguise. 

I managed the car ride pretty well with the tens and my combs. The roads at 10.30pm and the radio on were also a good distraction. When we got to the hospital, our midwife asked what she needed to know about our birth preferences and she honoured them beautifully. We also had a student midwife so I felt very cared for and attended to. The room was quiet, fairy lights twinkling and the space was really protected. My midwife offered to run the bath for me and when I said yes she got so excited! They made me feel safe and empowered, and I knew this was where I was meant to be. 

I found labour second time around, shorter but more intense physically and emotionally. I’ve never worked so hard!! Baby wasn’t quite in the right position and we kept thinking I was close to having her but it just wasn’t happening. I managed to rest between my contractions, another blessing of being in the bath, but I was exhausted. After being in the bath for two hours my midwife suggested I get out and move to the shower. My waters finally broke in the shower and it was a quick effort back to the bath. This is when I hit transition and even though I knew I was in transition, I doubted how I’d get this baby out- I didn’t even know how to push (I relied on the foetal ejection reflex and gravity we learnt about in Calm birth for my first). Michael and the midwives were amazing and such a good support for me. Leaning against the bath, with Michael holding me and cheering me on, we welcomed our daughter in the early hours of Saturday morning, on Michael’s birthday too! I hadn’t planned on having a water birth but was so grateful to have experienced this. It was so special when Michael told me we had another girl and those quiet moments in the bath holding her were magic. I was so happy she was here and so happy labour was over! 

I am so proud of myself for delivering our daughter the way I wanted with no intervention and felt so supported by my team (whom I had just met!) who respected us and my birth preferences the whole time. Even though my pregnancy and labour was different second time around, I still used my Calmbirth skills and knowledge to support the birth we wanted. Amy’s voice and encouragement was still there two years on. And I take great pride and joy in sharing both of my birth experiences!