REAL BIRTHS. REAL WOMEN. REAL BADASS ENERGY.
Real stories to remind you that birth can be a positive, empowering experience and that your story is still yours to write.
FIRST TIME MUM, WATER BIRTH ON THE MATERNITY LED UNIT
Sometimes birth doesn't happen in a straight line. Sometimes it takes patience, a whole lot of breathing, and trusting yourself through the twists and turns.
And sometimes, you discover just how capable you really are.
Here's one mum's beautiful story of welcoming her baby boy after a long, stop-start labour with hypnobirthing tools, relaxation and support helping her through.
On 1st May 2024, I had a sweep at 3 pm. I was feeling nervous but excited and I couldn't believe it when I discovered I was already 3 cm dilated, with bulging membranes and in labour! I went home and did my best to encourage oxytocin, rest when I could and breathe through my contractions using the techniques you'd taught me. I kept remembering the affirmation you shared with me: each contraction was bringing me closer to meeting my baby boy.
There were so many stops and starts, and my labour continued over three days. It wasn't always easy, but I kept coming back to my breathing and trying to rest whenever possible.
When I went into hospital, I was 4 cm dilated. After further assessment, we discovered that my hindwaters had broken, while my forewaters were still intact. Once my waters were broken at the hospital, my labour progressed incredibly quickly ...I went from 4 cm to 9 cm in just 30 minutes!
Despite the long, stop-start journey, the breathing techniques and support I'd received helped me keep going. My baby boy arrived on 4th May at 5:12 am 10lbs 2, after a long but incredibly empowering experience.
"It was filled with so much magic, and I want to thank you again for all the support you gave me throughout my journey. You are amazing Megan”
FIRST TIME MUM, HOME BIRTH
39 weeks pregnant. She woke at 1:45am for a wee and felt her first contraction a mild, crampy, period-like sensation. She went back to bed, but the sensations kept coming.
After an hour, her contractions were 10–15 minutes apart. She felt so excited this was the moment she’d been waiting for. Determined to keep her oxytocin flowing, she put her playlist on, turned on the fairy lights, and breathed through each contraction. They grew stronger and had moved to around seven minutes apart by 3:30am.
By 5:45am, they were five minutes apart and lasting a solid minute each, so they phoned in for advice. She was told to sit tight because she had “a long way to go” and to wait until the contractions “took her breath away". So she stayed deeply in her zone while Dan set up the birth pool and got everything ready in the lounge for their home birth. She popped upstairs for a shower while she still could. By this point, she had lost track of time, but her contractions were now every three minutes and lasting a minute each. Still, she felt fully in control. Focusing on her breath anchored her and kept her calm despite the growing intensity.
At 9am, Dan said, “I wonder if your waters will go soon.” Instantly, during her next contraction... pop and gush, they did.
Called the midwife who arrived and confirmed she was already 9cm…
The contractions ramped up quickly and she said, “I think I have to push.”
And just as she had imagined, right there on her lounge floor, leaning over her exercise ball, their little Poppy was born at exactly 11am. She arrived screaming and completely healthy. A powerful, instinctive, beautiful home birth.
She felt so grateful that she still got the home birth she had planned and that her baby was well. She felt in control the entire time, and she truly believed that her breathing techniques and hypnobirthing tools made all the difference. Knowing what was happening at each stage, feeling safe at home, trusting her body she felt this is what helped her labour unfold so quickly. She said "I wouldn't of go this birth without you Megan"
SECOND TIME MUM, HOME BIRTH WITH HOSPITAL TRANSFER
Our precious Zachary Maxwell made his grand entrance on the 4th of July, weighing a healthy 10lb 140z, at 41 weeks and 4 days. While it wasn't exactly the home birth we had envisioned, I'm thrilled with the outcome because every decision made was mine.
Labor began spontaneously at 11:20 PM on the night of July 3rd. It progressed smoothly, and we spent most of the time laboring at home. The hypnobirthing techniques and relaxation exercises we had practiced were invaluable, helping me stay calm and focused through the contractions.
As labor progressed I reached the pushing stage, and we could see Zachary's head. However, he was a bit stuck, and I decided that I wanted more pain relief. So I made the decision to be transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital, where I received an epidural and I didn't feel I had "failed" I was proud of myself for listening to my body.
It turned out that Zachary had his hands up by his head like superman haha, so we needed some assistance with forceps to help him out.
Despite the unexpected turns, I feel totally empowered by the experience.
I wholeheartedly recommend Megan and the hypnobirthing techniques and relaxation methods they were a lifesaver during birth and I couldn't of done my birth without them!
SECOND TIME MUM, INCREDIBLE FAST WATER BIRTH
On the morning of July 28th, we welcomed our beautiful son Louie into the world. He arrived at 7:17 am, weighing 8lb 2oz. The experience was truly perfect, and I feel incredibly lucky.
It all began when I went into the hospital at 12:00 am with contractions. My partner Oli and I settled on the bed and watched Netflix to pass the time and we were giggling , laughing and just having a gorgeous time. Everything was calm until about 5:00 am, when my waters broke, and suddenly, labor intensified.
My midwife quickly prepared a birthing pool for me. As soon as I entered the warm water, I felt a sense of relief and focus. With a bit of gas and air initially to help with the pain, I soon found that I was pushing better without it. I floated in the pool, concentrating on my breathing, while Oli supported me every step of the way.
At 7:17 am, after a fast and intense labor, I gave birth to Louie. The moment was surreal as I reached down and caught him myself. It was the perfect birth experience-intense but incredibly rewarding. Oli was amazing throughout the whole process, and together, we welcomed our son into the world with so much love and joy.
I cant thank Megan enough for the incredible hypnobirthing tools and techniques because they truly played a massive part in my positive birth and I cant wait to do it again!
FIRST TIME MUM, POSITIVE INDUCED LABOUR
After numerous conversations with many professionals, we decided to go for an induced labour. This was the one thing I didn't want but after weighing up the benefits and risks it felt right for us. I had heard so many horror stories about induction but was shared two many positive induction stories from Megan and I felt very confident walking in. I was very clear that I would like to still be on the maternity led unit which I was told I couldn't if I was being induced but I pushed for it and they did meet me in the middle and agreed.
My waters were broken at 1pm and contractions started to ramp up in the maternity led unit around 3pm. By 4pm I had dilated well but unfortunately I then needed the oxytocin drip which meant a trip back to delivery suite but I was ok with that.It was this bit which really tested me the most and the hypnobirthing really came into play.
My partner was fantastic, aromatherapy came out, lights were dimmed, eye mask, labour comb and birthing ball and we got in the zone! Without these techniques and the breathing I would not have been able to do this on just gas and air...
My labour couldn't have been more short and sweet. The drip began at 6pm, I was fully dilated by 21:20, pushing began at 21:47 and Sadie was born at 22:02pml A quick and positive labour story, which I didn't fear and believed my body could do what I needed it too!
Can't believe I did it on gas and air and my hypnobirthing techniques!!! Thank you so much Megan, I couldn't of done it without you and your amazing course.
FIRST TIME MUM , CSECTION
Arthur Stanley Bailey made his long-awaited arrival on July 20th at 41+5 weeks, weighing a healthy 8lbs 4oz.
Labour began spontaneously on the evening of Wednesday, July 17th, after a beautiful day spent at the beach with my husband. The onset of labour felt natural and peaceful, marking the beginning of an intense but transformative journey.I chose to labour at home for as long as possible, relying on the techniques I learned during my hypnobirthing course and relaxation classes with Megan. These tools provided me with the confidence and strength to manage the carly stages of labour in a calm and focused state.
Friday morning, it was time to transition to the Midwifery-Led Birthing Unit (MLBU), where I was able to use the birthing pool, just as I had hoped.
However, despite my best efforts and the supportive environment, labour progressed more slowly than anticipated. By Saturday evening, after hours of perseverance and patience, I was still only 4cm dilated. It appeared that Arthur's head was in an awkward position, which was hindering further progression. After discussing our options and considering the circumstances, my husband and I made the decision to proceed with a c-section.
While the experience differed from what I had hoped for, I am at peace with the decision we made. The skills and knowledge Megan provided us with were invaluable, enabling us to stay informed, calm, and in control throughout the process. We are grateful for the support we received and feel confident that we made the best decision for our family. Thank you so much, Megan, for helping us navigate this journey with grace and confidence.
SECOND TIME MUM, VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CSECTION
Woke up to contractions at 4am on the 12th of September. Went on our normal day, but by the afternoon I had started to get some contractions but were only every 10-15 mins. We had sat down to have what would be our last meal as a family of 3 at about 6pm.I then started getting regular contractions, which were more painful but I was able to breathe through them. Then 7pm they were getting closer together at every five minutes.
We had rang my mum at 6:30pm to come over so she could have our eldest. Once she had arrived at half 7, my contractions were every 3 mins and lasting 30 seconds to 1 min. And I had to really stop and thinking about it. At 8pm I rang triage to see what would be best and for some advice. As they were getting very close together. We were advised to slowly make our way in. I had a cervical check and I was 1-2cm. They did want me to stay in to be monitored but I said no and advocated for myself. As I knew I needed rest and knew I would labour better at home.
About 1am we got home and my contractions were starting to be more regular again. About 3am I had started to become very uncomfortable and couldn’t sit down and had to go on all fours or my knees being bent over the sofa. And I had started “mooing” during contractions. So my amazing husband woke up and told me to remeber to breathe and how strong I am. We had gotten to the hospital about 3:30 am. And I was in the zone listening to Meg’s meditation music (this was amazing and helped so much).
At 4am I was able to finally let them check me I felt in control and no one rushed me the midwife was amazing and gentle. She said I was 5cm and very stretchy. I felt elated I had finally done it and my body was ready. I was ready for this!!!! At 6am I was 8cm dilated and I got into the birthing pool and then my waters broke. At 7am we got in the pool. The pool was amazing and really helped my back labour.
I started to get hot so I got out of the pool and got onto the bed on my knees leaning over the back of the bed. Two contractions and a big push and felt her head being born. This was amazing but gosh the ring of fire was real.
Once another contraction came I did one big push and she came out very quickly. At 8:46 am on the 13th of September. The instant relief was amazing and I looked at my husband. And I said “ I did it, I actually did it”. And his face will always be etched in my memory forever.
This birth has healed my mind and soul. It was the second most magical moment of my life. And I couldn’t have done it without the magical guidance from Meg and the amazing group chats which is full of wonderful, supportive women.
FIRST TIME MUM , UNPLANNED BUT MAGICAL CSECTION
In the lead up to birth, I was yo-yoing between whether to have an elective C-section, try for a vaginal birth as I was hitting 41 weeks and the pressure was building. My husband and I then doubled down on all things relaxing in the days leading up to my due date, and I decided I was going to try for an induction knowing that I could say I didn’t want to move onto the next stage whenever I wanted to stop.
I went in on Saturday to start the induction. My husband was an absolute dream. He set up the room and the general feel with lights and scent, was always offering me snacks and drinks, cuddling, kissing and massaging me. He made the most incredible difference because he was so invested in the hypnobirthing too.
I was contracting well on the drip and using my TENS machine (absolute lifesaver!) gas and air and pethidine. The midwife and my husband said I seemed totally in control and so calm. I then laboured on the drip for a day and a night, but I’d only gone from 1cm stretched to 2cm. There was meconium in my waters and they were also concerned that baby’s chin wasn’t tucked, which could have been contributing to things not progressing.
When the conversation about a caesarean came up, I actually felt completely happy to go for it. I felt really proud that I’d laboured for as long as I had and that I’d felt good whilst I was doing it. I knew I’d given it my best shot. And honestly, it was the most romantic experience I’ve ever had with my husband.There was no part of it that felt like a waste. I didn’t come away thinking, ‘I should have just gone for the section from the beginning.’ The experience was everything I’d dreamt of.
Luke and I waited together, kissing, holding hands and just soaking each other up while everything was getting ready. And then Kit was born.
A total dream come true.
And I genuinely feel like the course made a massive difference to me. I knew I’d given it my best shot, I knew I could change direction, and I never felt like changing the plan meant I had failed. I’m so proud myself.
FIRST TIME MUM, VERY FAST LABOUR
Our darling boy, Rome, made his grand entrance on 24th August at 22:52pm, weighing 7lbs 10. The day started with an induction at 1pm. A pessary was inserted to help dilate my cervix so they could artificially break my waters. I was just 1.5cm at this point. By 6pm, my uterus had become hyper-stimulated contracting 6 times in 10 minutes. The pessary was removed, and although contractions stopped almost instantly, I was still only 2cm.
Fast forward to 10pm, after a walk around the hospital, we returned to bed. As I swung my legs up, I felt a sudden pop followed by a gush of pink liquid my waters had broken naturally! By 10:05pm, everything escalated. Contractions became intense immediately. I found myself on the bathroom floor and a check revealed I was 3cm dilated, and they went to grab me some paracetamol. Within minutes, my body had taken over. At 10:10pm, I felt an unstoppable urge to push ...primal, instinctive, undeniable. The midwife returned, unconvinced, until she saw my baby’s head already emerging.
Suddenly, alarms were pressed and the room filled with people. I was whisked, stark naked, down the hospital corridors on a flat bed, roaring with every contraction. And yes at one point I screamed: “MY PUSSY IS ON FIRE!!!” 😅
By 10:20pm, we reached delivery. I tuned into my body completely, riding each surge, panting through the ring of fire. With focus and instinct, his head was born, and with one final push, I felt the intensity of his shoulders and then the sweetest relief as our boy entered the world. At 10:52pm, Rome was placed in my arms perfect, alive, and ours. 55 minute labour! Moments later, my Dad walked in, completely unaware that in just 5 minutes, his grandson had arrived.
The placenta was delivered, I was stitched, and finally that first shower and first breath of I did it.
Rome’s birth was fast, fierce, and unforgettable. A story of surrender, instinct, and the raw, untamed power of birth. I couldn't of done it without Megans support and her incredible course.
FIRST TIME MUM , INCREDIBLY CALM HOME BIRTH
I woke at 6am for a wee and, on the walk back to bed, had my first strong contraction. Fifteen minutes later, another one! They gradually became closer together - every 15 minutes, then 10–12, 7–9 and eventually 5–7 minutes apart.
By 10pm, after 16 hours of labour, the contractions were exactly what I'd expected: strong but manageable period pain. I felt like I had the stamina to keep going and was genuinely enjoying the process! I started feeling a really strong urge to poo, so I told Danny to call the midwives. My waters hadn't broken, but that downward pressure was enough for me to want them there and the birth pool filling.
I managed my contractions using breathing techniques and my TENS machine, getting to around level 10 out of 15 on Mode 1 and honestly, that thing was SO powerful! My midwife arrived at 1am, and I got into the birth pool around 2am. The contractions felt stronger without my TENS, so I tried gas and air alongside my birth comb, which was incredible!
By around 5am, things really ramped up. I hit transition and started crying, saying I couldn't do it anymore. I could feel the burn on my perineum, and it was getting intense. I climbed out of the pool, but I couldn't even walk to the toilet because it felt like I had a bowling ball between my legs!
After standing and squatting through a few contractions, I pushed Henry out with FULL FORCE in about two seconds - no TENS, no gas and air, no birth pool and no birth comb. His head and body came in one contraction! Poor little thing ended up in the toilet, but he was safely on my chest within seconds.
At 8:55am, after 27 hours of labour, my beautiful boy was here.
Honestly, it was the most incredible experience ever. I could do it 2,000 times over! I couldn't have done ANY of this without Meg and the incredible course.
SECOND TIME MUM, POWERFUL VBAC BIRTH
I woke up at 11:20pm to my waters breaking! Called Triage they invited us in as I was under 37 weeks ... we got to triage around 1am I was so pretty chilled and felt mild surges they then put me on an antibiotic drip with him being a preemie which I consented too the doctor came and examined me at 3ish and started talking about oxytocin if I didn’t progress on my own I politely declined and said if we get the the stage he needs to be delivered then I will have a c section we then moved into the delivery suite around 4am the student midwife was an angel on earth she sorted it for me to have the continuous monitoring but mobile version so I could still move around.
By 5am the contractions were coming thick and fast and I could feel myself losing control of my body so I asked for pain relief and decided that if by 6am I had not progressed passed 4 cm I would like an epidural I was only 3cm and knew my body needed a rest and for my nervous system to calm down by 6:45am the epidural was inserted.
I felt him move into the birth canal and then I needed to poo and I knew this was it and I think it was about 10 pushes as he was out! Genuinely thought the ring of fire was going tear me in half but when his head came out wow that relief was something else! I didn’t have the full epidural dose I got to see my placenta had delayed cord clamping I opted for the injection to help with the placenta as I was so tired but wow what an experience holding my rainbow baby and pulling him to my chest we had loads of uninterrupted skin to skin and its been a beautiful experience so healing for both me and my partner.
I truly believe the tools Megan gave me built confidence back in my body that was destroyed by having losses honestly so proud of myself my partner was the calming voice I needed as well.
FIRST TIME MUM , WATER BIRTH 9LB 10 BABY
On the evening of the 26th of August, I started feeling some mild surges around 8/9pm. They were on and off through the night, but I actually managed to sleep through most of them. I honestly thought it was just more practice labour.
The next morning (27th August), we had our 40-week midwife appointment at 9am. I was 40+3 and told my midwife about the sensations I’d been having. She examined me and said I was 2cm dilated. She advised me to go home, relax, bounce on my ball, and call if things changed. So, me and my partner Tommy went out for some breakfast. While eating, I noticed my surges were coming every 2–3 minutes, but I still thought it must be false labour!
When we got home, things carried on the same all afternoon but I called the birth centre as something felt different, and I knew I wanted to be checked again. We arrived at the birth centre around 5pm, and after another examination and sweep, I was still only 2cm. I felt a bit disheartened, but I kept reminding myself of my hypnobirthing tools. Then, not long afterwards, things really ramped up but Tommy, being amazing advocated for me and asked for me to be checked again, and to everyone’s surprise I was already 5cm! They filled the pool for me.
The moment I got into the pool was pure magic. I felt calm, safe, and completely in my birthing zone. I used gas and air, with my partner by my side supporting me through every surge. We had music playing, and to the song Fix You by Coldplay, our beautiful daughter Savannah arrived earthside at 10:33pm – weighing 9lb 10oz!
I honestly can’t thank Megan & the online hypnobirthing course enough. I used the techniques all the way through, and they helped me stay focused, calm, and in control. Tommy also used the tools with me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team effort. It was the best day of our lives. Savannah’s birth really proved to me that our bodies are incredible and we can birth big babies.
FIRST TIME MUM, MEDICAL ANXIETY CALM BIRTH
As someone with a medical phobia, I never imagined my birth story could be a positive one… until I met Megan!
In the days leading up to labour, I worried constantly about whether I’d ever go into spontaneous labour and have the birth I wanted. Then, during the England Women’s Euros final at 40 weeks and 5 days, my waters went at home and just like the movies, it really was a gush!
Contractions began soon after and gradually built in intensity. I used my TENS machine to cope, but by 11pm they had become so strong and frequent that it was time to head to the hospital.
When I arrived, I was disappointed to learn there was no space on the maternity led unit, the calming environment I had hoped would ease my medical anxiety. For a moment, I panicked, thinking my dream of a low-intervention waterbirth was slipping away.
But then I was examined and told I was already 9cm dilated. At that point, I knew it was time to focus. With the support of my amazing midwife, my trusty TENS, and the breathing and hypnobirthing techniques Megan had taught me (and I had practiced religiously!), I gave birth to our beautiful boy Flynn at 4.24am less than five hours after arriving at the hospital. He weighed 8lb 13oz, and I couldn’t believe I had done it… all without any pain relief.
I truly believe that investing in Megan’s online hypnobirthing course and shifting my mindset around birth made this possible. I’ll be forever grateful!
SECOND TIME MUM, UNMEDICATED BIRTH AFTER COMPLICATED FIRST BIRTH
After attending a beautiful family funeral, I headed to bed exhausted, only to wake at 11:50 pm to my waters breaking!
By 1:15 am, my contractions were regular, and I used my breathing techniques to stay calm and comfortable as labour progressed.
Once we arrived at the MLBU, I settled into the room, put up my birth affirmation cards and continued using my breathing, the Yuula Aura Orbs and gentle touch massage from my husband to manage each contraction.
Things intensified quickly, and before I knew it, my body was telling me it was time to push. With my husband and midwife supporting me, I followed my instincts, and after just four or five pushes, our baby boy was here!
Born at 5:23 am on 15th October - my birthday too! I was in complete shock. I had birthed my son in around four hours, without medication, cannulas or vaginal examinations. I had listened to my body, responded to what I needed and done something I never thought possible at the beginning of my pregnancy.
I genuinely couldn't have done it without Megan. From the online hypnobirthing course and relaxation sessions to the messages of reassurance, empowerment photoshoot and mums' socials, every part of her support helped me build the confidence to create a birth experience where I felt calm, capable and in control.
Even when doubts and insecurities crept in, Megan reminded me of what I was capable of. I'll forever be grateful for the confidence she helped me find in myself.
FIRST TIME MUM, HOME BIRTH
So many people told me I was crazy for planning a home birth as a first-time mum, but in my heart, I knew it felt right. I joined Meg’s online hypnobirthing course (The Fearless Birth Method) with my partner to prepare for birth. I wanted to feel informed, confident and able to advocate for myself, whatever happened.
At 38 weeks + 5 days, what started as a dull ache quickly turned into intense contractions. By 4pm, I realised I could actually be in labour! I was beyond calm and chilled!!! Within minutes, my contractions were coming every 2–3 minutes. During the 25-minute drive home, I focused on my breathing and everything I’d learned about feeling safe in my body.
By 5:30pm, we were home. My contractions were incredibly intense, but once I knew my baby’s heartbeat was strong, I could focus entirely on my job: birthing my baby.
I laboured on all fours in the shower, using the water to ease the back contractions. Just after 7pm, I felt an enormous amount of pressure and asked the midwife to check me.
“You’re about 10cm.” I WAS SHOCKED. GOD BLESS THAT BIRTH COMB!
We suddenly needed to get the birth pool ready FAST. I stayed focused on what mattered, rather than worrying about everything else. The pretty lights and perfect birth space didn't matter. Staying grounded and empowered did!
Once in the pool, I kept repeating:
“My baby and body know exactly what to do.”
Then came transition. Everything suddenly felt like too much. My doula held my hand and talked me through every breath and contraction. I counted through each surge, focusing on my breathing until it passed and then my body completely took over. After three huge, completely out of body surges, she was in the pool.
Nothing could have prepared me for the moment I lifted her from between my legs and brought her to my chest. She looked straight up at me. Beaming. Completely alert. A gift from God.
My birth was everything I could have wanted, but nothing I could have imagined.
I felt completely myself almost immediately. I ate a Cookie in the pool with my newborn daughter and laughed with the people who had supported us through it all.
Later, we sat together on the sofa beneath the full moon, surrounded by our pets and the people who had shown up for us so completely. It felt like magic.
Thank you so much for everything, Meg honestly you are one in a million and your course is phenomenal.
ARE YOU READY TO GRAB BIRTH BY THE BALLS?
Your baby's birthday is coming. And no, you don't need to have your entire birth figured out. You don't need to become a meditation guru, spend 47 hours listening to whale music or pretend you're not shitting yourself about labour.
You just need to know your shit!
Whether you're after the calm AF birth course or The Fearless Birth Method, there's a way to prepare that works for YOU.
Because birth prep shouldn't leave you with 97 more things to worry about.
It should leave you thinking:
Actually… I've fucking got this.
You don't need to be fearless to give birth.
You just need to stop going into it feeling clueless.
