I realise that this post may be too-much-information for some, and sharing one’s birth experience publicly may not be something that others want to do. My experience of giving birth to Ella was overwhelmingly positive. Given how many horror stories are told about labour and birth, I wanted to provide a positive perspective which may be useful for other women to give them confidence that a drug-free, natural labour is entirely do-able. I found it really valuable to read/hear birth stories while I was pregnant (and I became somewhat addicted to One Born Every Minute!). But this definitely isn’t about boasting, or wanting kudos or sympathies. It’s not about comparing with others or pushing a particular approach. I understand that sometimes births get complicated and don’t go as a woman may have hoped/planned. And other women may seek a different experience for themselves. I think that any woman who has a baby is amazing, regardless of how they do it! This is simply intended to be a capture of my experience.

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