Birth Stories

Anniek's Empowering Home Water Birth

  • When did you realize you were really in labor?

    When I went to bed, I had to go to the toilet and it felt all just different. A very excited feeling that didn't go away. At 10:00 pm I went downstairs preparing everything. Candles, music, flowers, a prayer... But I felt getting stronger every minute so I went up again to my husband just in case I though if I wouldn't be able he could just sleep downstairs. He went downstairs with me, and then it just went very fast.

  • What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

    Other peoples worries, stories, asking me aren't you going to hospital...its taking so long... I felt doubt and so vulnerable, just very little support to just trust nature.

  • IMG_0586
  • What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

    Change to a very empowering midwife, yoga, good food, really be present with my body, baby.

  • What surprised you about your birth?

    That it was so strong, fast and absolutely amazing how I could feel every stage, be mindful. So empowering!
    And my little baby's voice just before I gave birth her voice sounded clearly inside: Mama, I am coming, have faith, it will not take long.
    And then I fell to the ground on hands and feet, her descending started.

  • It is the most beautiful empowering experience we as women can go through, it changes everything on so much levels, physical, emotional, spiritual, mentally.
  • What pain relief strategies worked best?

    Yoga pose, whirling, deep screaming to the earth, expanding like a whale, drawing a beautiful yoni with crystals before birth, oils to massage, warm water at the time of birth

  • What position did you end up delivering in?

    In the water birthing bath, totally naked, being held by my husband, because I was going under water with my head (which was great for me, everything was less sharp, the noises, just the comfort of water, like being in the womb myself) and my midwife held my feet.
    It felt like total surrender, totally opening.

  • How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

    There are just no words to describe that heavenly moment.

  • What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

    It is the most beautiful empowering experience we as women can go through, it changes everything on so much levels, physical, emotional, spiritual, mentally.
    Find people who empower you to trust your body, nature, never take in any experiences you don't want to. Find a very good midwife or doctor, doula. Find support. Nourish your body, spiritually, emotionally. Get out of the stress filled busy working mind as much as you possible can.
    Nothing about you is the same, the moment you are pregnant, it might seem that way, but it isn't. This is a magical journey if you make space for it.

Learn to have an amazing birth

(without leaving your couch)

Baby Name Finder

Discover thousands of unique and popular baby names with Mama Natural’s NEW Baby Name Finder.