Thank you. I came across your book {A Modern Woman’s Guide to a Natural Empowering Birth} after my first child was born. It was like a breath of fresh air after a natural, but highly dis-empowering birth.
When my daughter came along 18 months later, although I chose again to birth in a hospital, I felt much more at ease about my choices, and standing up for myself.
I had an extended early labour, and stood firm in my choice to not accept unnecessary interventions.
I fell pregnant with number 3 last year, and being in New Zealand (where the system is much more accommodating), I knew straight away that I was going to have a home birth. I had the confidence to express my desires, I TOLD my midwife that I would not be having ANY internal examinations, that I would move, eat and get in and out of the bath as I felt the need. I told her that I would be dancing, going outside, and that my boyfriend would be delivering our child.
When my labour started 11 days before my due date, I was confident, relaxed and in good humour. I quietly and calmly made my space my own, and called my midwife to attend the birth when I felt that bub was on the way, and my son was born 20 minutes before she arrived.
Your book changed my attitudes towards what women in general and myself in particular are capable of. Thank you. This book gave me the birthing experience that my heart knew I was able to have.
~Erica Penny (mother, New Zealand)
