My First Birth Story: A Positive and Empowering Hospital Birth as a Midwife and First-Time Mum

Why I’m Sharing My Story

As a midwife, I’ve supported so many beautiful births. But becoming a mum myself - and stepping into birth from the other side - was an experience that changed everything.

I’m sharing my birth story not just to document this special chapter in my life, but to offer hope, encouragement and a positive story to any woman feeling anxious or unsure about what birth might be like.

I know how common it is to be surrounded by fear, negativity, and worst-case scenarios - especially if you’re planning a hospital birth. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

This was my experience of giving birth as a first-time mum and a midwife. It wasn’t perfect or pain-free. It was raw, intense, and incredibly transformative. But it was also empowering - and such a beautiful experience to look back on.

I hope it helps you feel that a calm, confident, and positive hospital birth is possible for you too.

Before Birth: A Complicated Pregnancy, A Clear Intention

My pregnancy wasn’t easy.

I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting) and was sick every single day until my baby was born. The moment he was placed on my chest, I felt instant relief -  a shift that’s honestly hard to put into words.

I also struggled with my mental health throughout pregnancy. Early on, I was consumed by anxiety and fears of pregnancy loss. As things progressed, that shifted into concerns about stillbirth. The constant sickness made things harder - it was isolating, debilitating exhausting and deeply draining both physically and mentally.

I also had some added complexities: a diagnosis of Anti-Dia antibodies and a few presentations for decreased fetal movements. These required extra monitoring and ongoing conversations with my care team.

Even with my midwifery background, I was reminded of what so many women experience - the unknowns, the constant checking in, the emotional weight of “what if?”

That’s why I became incredibly intentional about preparing for birth. Because I have seen first hand the difference that knowledge and preparation have on your birth experience. 

From 28 weeks, I practiced breathing techniques daily and did regular mindset work. I only listened to positive and balanced birth stories and actively blocked out fear-based advice. I sat down with my midwife and worked through my birth preferences - making sure we were aligned on what I hoped for and how we could work together to achieve this if needed.

Most importantly, my husband and I completed a birth education course together (something I now offer through Nurtured Beginnings 💕). It gave him the tools to be the incredible support partner I needed, and gave me the confidence to trust both my body and my birth team.

Early Labour at Home

At 37+6 weeks, I felt my first contractions on a Thursday night as I was getting ready for bed. They came every 15 minutes and lasted about a minute each. I knew this could be the beginning - but I also knew it might be days.

I quietly went into my zone - putting on my meditation tracks, breathing through the sensations and resting/sleeping as much as I could between contractions.

By morning, they had fizzled out - classic early labour stop-start. But instead of feeling disheartened, I reminded myself that my body and baby were preparing in their own time. I got on with my day and stayed in that calm, trusting headspace.

Looking back, I realise those early contractions were helping my baby move into a better position for birth - my body was working, even when it didn’t look like “progress.”

Friday Night: Labour Ramps Up

At 9:30pm on Friday night, the contractions returned - every 10 minutes, all through the night. I struggled to sleep but I remained calm using my breathing and mindset tools.

By 6am Saturday, the intensity had picked up and they were coming every six minutes. I sent my husband off to golf (because I wasn’t entirely sure this was it!) and felt confident managing things on my own for now.

I used my birth ball, did optimal fetal positioning exercises and kept to my usual routine - even doing some light cleaning (wanting to come home to a clean house if things progressed). I knew how important oxytocin was, so I listened to my favourite music, watched a feel-good movie and did some antenatal expressing. Looking back, I was gently preparing both my space and my mindset for what was to come.

The Shift to Active Labour

When my husband returned home around 1:45pm, things had intensified again.

By 3pm, I was using the TENS machine while swaying, moving through surges and changing positions regularly. I had my affirmations playing and my birth space set up just how I wanted it.

We transformed the bathroom into a safe space - low lights, fairy lights, calming tracks playing. My husband was incredible: bringing water, snacks and encouragement. He kept me grounded and reminded me of everything we’d practiced.

By 7pm, I got into the shower. The hot water was amazing and helped me stay home longer (which was my preference). Between contractions, I washed my hair - partly as a distraction, partly because I wasn’t sure when I’d get another chance!

Around 8pm, as contractions were regular and intense since 3:45pm, I felt like it was time and let my husband know I was ready to go to hospital and he called our MGP midwife.

To try and minimise the disruption of going to hospital - I stayed in the shower as my husband packed the car and the last minute items. In the car I used my TENs machine, a heat pack, closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. It was definitely more intense being seated and unable to move during contractions.

Arriving at the Hospital

At 9:30pm we arrived at the hospital. The room was beautifully prepared - fairy lights glowing, the bath filled and aromatherapy on. It felt safe and familiar. 

I asked for a vaginal examination - not because I needed permission, but because I wanted to know if I was in active labour. If not, I was prepared to go home again.

I was 4cm. 

In the moment, part of me had hoped to be further along (as most women do!), but honestly, it was such a mental release to know things were actually happening. As a midwife, I’d been very worried I might show up “too early” and feel judged. Looking back it was silly - but for me the fear was very real and it was definitely holding my labour back.

But being told I was in established labour gave me permission to fully surrender. I felt safe, validated and ready to let go.

The Intensity Builds and So Does the Doubt

Back in the shower, I kept breathing and moving. But the exhaustion hit me hard - I hadn’t really slept in two nights. My legs were aching, and I started thinking, I can’t do this for another 24 hours.

That’s when the doubt crept in.

My husband sensed it straight away. He stayed close, offering constant reassurance, reminding me of my preferences, brought me back to my breathing techniques and helping me focus on one contraction at a time. He was calm, confident and so in tune with what I needed. (Yes - he still credits the birth course! 🙌🏻)

I needed a shift - to change things up and break the doubt cycle. So I got into the bath.

The relief was instant. The weightlessness gave me space to rest between contractions and for a short while, contractions spaced out just enough to catch my breath and have a break.

My midwife and husband worked together beautifully - using massage, breathing cues, and quiet encouragement.

Transition: The Rawest Moment

Then came transition - and it hit hard.

I lost focus. The sounds coming out of me didn’t even feel like mine. Around 11pm, my waters broke in the bath, and everything intensified. I remember yelling, “I want to leave!” and genuinely wanting out.

I got out of the bath to use the toilet and the contractions were right on top of each other. I asked for an epidural. Part of me knew this could be transition, but in the moment, it was all so overwhelming.

My husband stayed grounded and knowing my preferences reminded me, “You’re doing it. Just take it one contraction at a time. Give it another 30 minutes and we can talk about it again if you still want it - but you are doing really well.” 

That moment - where I felt like I couldn’t go on - was actually the moment I was coming closer to meeting my baby.

The Final Stage: Trusting My Body

As I sat on the toilet feeling the intensity and just how exhausted I was, I decided to ask for a vaginal examination to help me decide if I really wanted the epidural. I knew an examination was not the answer in terms of how long I had left until birth but I knew I could use it to help me make a choice. 

As I was walking back into the room, I felt the pressure change. My body was instinctively changing positions every few contractions, I couldn’t sit still on the bed so I decided against the vaginal examination and just went with it. Trying my best to focus on my breathing and finding standing, rocking and moving through contractions gave the most relief. I wasn’t thinking, I was just doing. 

I could feel the pressure of my baby moving lower into my pelvis and I knew I was nearly there. 

By 12:15am, my body began to push. It was primal, powerful, unstoppable. I could feel my baby moving down and I asked my midwife if it was okay to push.

She simply said, “Trust your body, do what feels right.”

And so I did. 

I focused on what my body was telling me, pushed and changed positions instinctively. My husband by my side, holding the fan and reassuring me.

At 12:29am - just minutes later - our beautiful baby was born and placed straight into my arms. I was shocked that our baby was here that I didn’t even check the gender until my midwife asked. When I finally looked and shouted, “It’s a boy!” - it was the most magical moment.

The Golden Hours

We delayed cord clamping until after the placenta was born physiologically at 1:10am, my husband cut the cord and I had uninterrupted skin-to-skin with our baby for two and a half hours.

While I had a 3rd degree tear, my preferences were respected and the repair was done in the birth suite while I continued holding my baby. Even with that complication, I look back on my experience as deeply positive.

Afterwards, my husband had his own hour of skin-to-skin while I got up, showered and basked in that post-birth high.

We went home six hours after birth - just the three of us, beginning our new chapter as a family. 

Reflections: What I Learned as a Midwife and Mum

Even as a midwife, birth humbled me.

The whole process was very intense and there is definitely nothing like it but it is such a positive experience to look back on. I am so proud of myself and so happy that I was able to achieve the birth I was hoping for.

It reminded me that birth is not something you control - it’s something you prepare for, surrender to and move through with the right support around you.

It showed me the power of preparation and mindset. The breathing, the affirmations, the stories I chose to hear - they all mattered.

It highlighted how important it is to be informed and build a birth toolkit. I understood my options, knew what was important to me, and felt confident to pivot when needed. My husband had practical tools and I had strategies to carry me through each moment.

Most importantly, it proved something I want every woman to know:

You don’t need to be a midwife to feel empowered in birth.
You just need the right information, the right tools and the right support.

To Anyone Reading This…

If you’re pregnant right now and feeling unsure…
If you’ve been overwhelmed by the horror stories and fear-based advice…
If you’re wondering whether a calm, positive hospital birth is actually possible…

Please know this: It is. 💕

Birth doesn’t have to be traumatic or terrifying. It can be intense and beautiful. It can be powerful, raw and positive - even when things don’t go perfectly to plan.

You are capable. You are strong. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Want to Feel Calm and Prepared for Your Birth?

If my story resonated with you and you're ready to feel calm, informed, and empowered for your birth - my course Empowered Birth is here to support you.

It's the same framework my husband and I used to prepare together and it’s designed especially for mums planning a hospital birth who want evidence-based, judgement-free education.

✨ Learn more [here] or explore my free resources to get started today.

I’m here for you,
Tam xx

A Gentle Disclaimer

Every birth is different and no two experiences will ever be exactly the same.

This is my story - shaped by my own preferences, circumstances and decisions in the moment. The choices I made were right for me, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to birth. The most empowering thing you can do is prepare well and make decisions that feel aligned with your values, your body and your baby.

I’m here to support you in doing exactly that. 💕