The Real Birth Stories Library
Birth stories are a vital part of the human experience: for millennia, humans learnt about birth from watching, supporting and hearing about it.
But as labour and delivery became more medicalised, moving from the home to hospitals, this knowledge has become more challenging to come by… which is why resources like this are so important.
The Real Birth Stories Library is filled with stories of real positive birth experiences, of all different shapes, kinds and sizes. They’re told with the words of those that went through them, with zero filters or editing so that you can get an idea of what positive birth looks and feels like in the real world.
Here you’ll find everything you need to get your head around real birth: easy-to-read Q&A style stories, glossaries that’ll help you to make sense of the medical terms and procedures, and thinking points to help you work this story-telling knowledge into your own birth planning.
And then, when you’re ready, you can contribute your own positive birth story to the collection.
Building this resource for you has been, and continues to be, an absolute privilege. I hope it brings you as many oxytocin hits as it has me!
So grab a cup of tea, create a nest on the sofa, and get reading.
Gemma x
Each of these stories has been given with consent for me to publish and share it on this closed platform.
Please do not copy, replicate or share these very personal stories outside the ‘Birth Space Cornwall’ area.
Are these just stories?
The stories below are all presented using the exact words of the people who shared them. These are their stories in their entirety, However, alongside them you’ll also find a glossary, learning point and thinking point to help you gain knowledge and insight from them.
Is there an order to the birth stories?
None whatsoever! Read the stories according to their publishing order or use the search bar to find stories that explore things you’re interested in (eg: induction, waterbirth or caesarean section)
If they’re positive stories, why are there trigger warnings?
Every birth story here has been shared for positive reasons: the person telling it regards the birth of their baby as a positive experience.
But birth is raw: the trigger warnings allow you to find the stories that you feel comfortable reading, and to prepare yourself for (or avoid) any content you may find challenging.
The Real Birth Stories Library
#20: Amy’s empowering, happy and calm hospital waterbirth story…
First time labours are usually quite long: as Amy’s incredible birth story shows being confident enough to read your body, understand the signs and have a birth partner to support you can make all the difference.
#18: Jilly’s spontaneous, trauma-free, instrumental hospital birth story…
Intense situations don’t always lead to traumatic birth stories: as Jilly’s incredible birth story proves, managing a stressful and risky situation can feel just as positive as a waterbirth.
#17: Holly (and baby Jack’s) calm, powerful and joyful birth centre birth…
Being frightened or scared of birth is a really normal feeling, but as Holly’s inspiring story shows, with the right preparation and support on the day, your experience can be joyful.
#16: Fox’s mummy’s surprise, fast and spontaneous hospital birth…
Planning a caesarean birth is as controlled as it gets, but it guarantees nothing. As Fox’s Mummy’s incredible tale shows, sometimes its the unexpected twists and turns which give us the birth stories we want to remember and share.
#13: Sarah’s powerful, calm & confident hospital waterbirth…
Birth happens best when we relax: as Sarah’s beautiful birth story shows, having our responsibilities taken care off can be the switch that allows our bodies to go into a powerful labour space.
#12: An anonymous amazing, scary but breath-taking caesarean birth story…
Sometimes, scary things happen during birth, but as our anonymous mother narrates, feeling seen, heard and valued by the midwives and medical professionals caring for us helps to make it a positive birth experience.
#10: Sarah’s calm, confident and supported hospital waterbirth…
A calm birth experience looks different for everyone: as Sarah's beautiful birth story shows, having the tools to keep you calm, even when things get a little bumpy, is what makes the difference.
#6: Natalie & Matthew’s ideal, ‘listened to’ waterbirth story…
There can be so much pressure for ‘the perfect birth’, but as Natalie and Matthews water birth story proves, what matters most is that your wishes are listened to and respected by the team around you.
#4: Emma’s intimate & exciting birth centre birth...
Birth doesn’t always go to plan, but as Emma’s gorgeously calm birth story shows, episiotomies and emergency cords can still be managed calmly.
#3: Beth’s calm, positive & empowering induction…
Induced labours can be just as positive, calm and enjoyable as spontaneous ones; Beth’s inspiring birth story explores just how powerful and enjoyable inductions can be.
#2: Laura & Sam’s speedy & unassisted homebirth…
A surprise speedy unassisted homebirth doesn’t have to mean panic: as Laura and Sam’s beautiful retelling of their son’s birth proves, with the right mindset and support it can feel as confident and controlled as anywhere else.