When I becam pregnant in 2002 I never dreamt of having a home birth. As far as I was concerned babies were born in hospital and that was the safest place to be. I spoke to my doctor who gave me the choice of two local hospitals to which she would refer me. She had no information as to how I should make my decision other than the addresses of the hospitals! I did some research and chose one to which my doctor then referred me. After 5 weeks and several efforts to chase up what was going on it was clear that the hosptial had lost the referral and a second copy of the paperwork. Having lost confidence in my choice I was then referred to the second hospital and received my midwifery care through that hospital and the local midwifery team. Appointments were invariably hurried and with a new midwife each time.

When I stated that I would like a water birth at the hosptial I was told that only one member of the midwifery team had experience of water births so I would only be able to have this if she was on duty when I was in labour. It wasn't until I was over 30 weeks pregnant that I was told that to have a water birth at the hospital I would have to attend one of their special antenatal sessions - and it was too late to book this. With some begging and persuasion I managed to get a place but was very upset. My husband came with me to all of my appointments and scans and was routinely ignored every time. At my 16 week scan I was told I had "a low placenta and unless it moves you will need a caesarean". I was given no information on the likelihood of it moving or what this would mean. Again I did my own research and then booked private scans which gave me the support and information that I needed as well as telling me a few weeks later that the placenta was out of the way.

The final straw came when I attended the antenatal classes run by the local midwifery team. The first session concentrated on the pain of labour and we were told that it was impossible to imagine the pain of childbirth and that nothing we could do would prepare us for it. We were then given a list of the pain control options (with no mention of one to one support or water birth). In the second session we were given a run down of the hospital protocols, including routine vitamin K injection. When I asked what if I did not want to have this for my child I was told that my child could die and it would be my fault. I was also concerned that hospital protocols seemed to demand intervention unless labour progressed at 1cm per hour and with a maximum time for second stage. When my husband questioned this the midwife explained to the group how it was sometimes necessary to get husbands out of the labour room as they liked to think that they know what was best for their wives but that the labouring women would consent to a procedure if their husband was not there. I came out of the session in tears and said to my husband "Don't let them touch me."

He called the IMA the following day and despite the fact that I was already 34 weeks pregnant I switched my care to independent midwives Jenny Keogh and Pam Wild that same week. The care that they gave to me was a astonishing in its simplicty and tenderness. My fears were heard and reassurance given. I hadn't even considered a home birth until that point but after a long chat and much consideration I opted for a home water birth. I started contractions on my due date and my daughter, Isabella, was born exactly 24 hours after the first contraction. She was born at home in the pool surrounded by flowers and candlelight with only my husband and my two midwives (very much friends by this stage) present. It was a peaceful and magical birth.

When I becam pregnant a second time I had no hesitation in contacting Pam again (Jenny taking time off for her own baby). My son was born on Tuesday 13 March at home in water. Pam was there again as was my husband and my 3 year old daughter. The birth was quick and I was very vocal (I am sure I would not have been able to freely express my pain in hospital). My daughter was very much a part of the process and (thanks to careful preparation) had no fears or concerns but participated in the birth with love and laughter. I have two lovely and happy birth stories to tell. I know of very few women who can say without reservation that they enjoyed the labour and delivery of their children. I feel that this is entirely due to the support I was given by my independent midwives. Labour at home is not for all women (though I'm sure that more women would choose it if given the choice and support) but the prospect of starting labour in fear of the care given in hospital cannot be a healthy option for any mother. I support independent midwives in their work and as a freedom of choice for pregnant women.