Liza Meagher

"The calm of home gave space for the primal nature of birthing, a fierce energy that gives you the power to leap into the unknown. We were supported by a team we chose and deeply trusted, a team that made the beautiful experience a joyous celebration.” 

From the moment we found out we were pregnant I knew I wanted to home birth. There was a mystical, sacred energy calling, that I knew would only be found where I felt safest. The calm of home gave space for the primal nature of birthing, a fierce energy that gives you the power to leap into the unknown. 

The morning of Albie’s birth Lucas and I both intuitively knew he was on his way. A few calls with Veronica, and Charlotte dropping off a tens machine confirmed the signs of early labour starting were there. As Lucas went downstairs to see Charlotte out, I felt my first contraction kick in, a force that took me by surprise. I thought I was prepared for the pain but once it kicked in my soul was soaked in awe of what my body could do. The next contraction followed only a minute or two later and we almost immediately went into the second stage of labour. The rapid speed at which things played out seems to have transformed my memories into something more dreamlike but for every moment of labour, I know I was deeply present to the experience. I retreated to my cave as the MAMA midwives said I would, darkening our bedroom and baring down using the bed for support. I could hear Lucas on the phone to Veronica, and feel his presence, support and touch. Our dogs were wandering in and out of the room keeping a gentle eye. Sounds started to emerge from me, deep guttural cries, some familiar, some ancestral but most were the new cries of the mother and woman I was becoming. 

I felt called to stand in the shower and before having the chance to turn the water on, my water broke. Like a balloon popping. It accelerated time.  

Lucas was with me the whole time. We cradled in the shower and he held space for me to intuitively move and cry out. Our beautiful birthing pool and fairy light-lit room that I’d been planning for months was downstairs but empty! Our bub had chosen where he wanted to be born. I often joke that my planned water birth became a fire birth. Some babies need their mothers to call their spirits down, mine just needed me to stand in the metaphorical fire and hold space for him; I have never felt more capable. As our wonderful primary midwife Ella arrived we were a few moments off pushing. Her voice gently said ‘I think your baby is here’. Her kindness and presence gave us the confidence to finish the final stage, at her suggestion to slow my breathing Lucas leaned over my back, held my body and led my breath. Breathing together we cultivated our son’s first breath.  

The ability to feel exactly what happened next will always stay with me. His head coming out on the first push, Lucas saw his little eyes flicker open to the world. The only moment of labour that slowed was his body and feet taking a few more pushes to come out.  

The 3 of us together in an embrace, we watched on in awe as our son took soothing breaths and found his way to latch. Lucas cut the cord and gently stroked me. The oxytocin and high is like nothing I can describe. Our labour was an under 2-hour whirlwind and now we were holding our son.  

Charlotte and Rachel followed just minutes after he was born, Freya and Buddy (our dogs) were joyfully wandering around desperate to meet their new family member. The moments together felt layered in magic and love. We were supported by a team we chose and deeply trusted, a team that made the beautiful experience a joyous celebration.  

A few hours in hospital followed, the speed of labour meant some stitches were harder to do.  

My goal was always to stay out of hospital but having Ella advocate for me and watching Lucas smiling with tears on his cheeks as he held our son, meant even the short visit to hospital still felt like we were in our love bubble.  

We were back home by midnight, and at Lucas’ suggestion we paused before walking inside to take a deep breath and honour what had just happened in our home, what we had just experienced and the magic and wonder of the little boy in my arms. Albie Ocean was born with perfect health in the love of our home and ready to take on the world. 

Teaming up with MAMA not only enhanced my birthing experience it brought lightness and ease to my whole pregnancy. I wanted the experience to remain a celebration and it was deeply important to me that all conversations around my pregnancy were positive. Being so close to 40 I knew that in a hospital setting I would be viewed as ‘high risk.’  With MAMA I was able to stay focused on the health, fitness and capability of my body. 

Just looking at their online profiles, Lucas and I knew we wanted Ella as a primary midwife and were thrilled when she was available. The privilege to choose our primary midwife and supporting team meant we were afforded the journey that we most needed. Antenatal appointments felt like visiting a friend, checking in on our baby was always exciting and when there were a few small things to have checked out, it was done in a calm way that kept us grounded and confident. As we got to know more of the beautiful team at MAMA, everyone carried the same bright energy and love of birth. And as we got closer to birthing, having appointments at home was so special. I especially loved having our dogs on the couch while we listened to our baby's heartbeat. 

The care that followed birth in the immediate days and later weeks was gentle and healing, the joy of seeing the midwives who played such an integral part in our lives never faded and was the exact experience I had hoped for when first looking into home birthing. I took full advantage of many of their services including chiro, physio and a closing of the bones ceremony. A full circle moment recently when Lucas returned to MAMA in a new capacity on the other side, holding a breathwork session for their team day had me reflecting on what an enormous role they played in such a crucial moment of our growing family, for which we will always be grateful. 

Birth story by Liza Meagher.