14/01/2026
My mum just sent me these photos, and they stopped me in my tracks — a reminder of where our journey with our little Esmae began 💛
She turned 6 today 😍 Born at 12:03am, weighing 8lb 3oz, on a Tuesday at Warrington Hospital.
Her birth followed a long, intense labour — around 35 hours in total.
My original plan was a home birth in a birthing pool, and I was deeply committed to making that happen.
Despite trying everything at home —
• dancing
• bouncing and rotations on my birthing ball
• squats up and down the stairs
• countless trips to the bathroom
…my waters just wouldn’t break.
By this point, I was completely exhausted. I hadn’t been able to properly fuel myself, my legs were shaking, and yet my determination never wavered. I still remember the midwife calling me a warrior 🥹 — a moment I’ll never forget.
Eventually, I made the decision to move to Plan B.
And honestly, if I hadn’t invested in antenatal classes, I don’t believe that decision would have felt anywhere near as calm or empowering.
Because I had prepared in advance — thought through different possibilities, understood my options, and clarified what mattered most to me — what could have been a stressful turning point became a grounded, confident choice.
The midwives were able to put everything in place swiftly and supportively.
Not long after arriving at the hospital, my waters were broken… and within an hour, Esmae was in my arms.
I am endlessly grateful for that preparation. Having a Plan B (and even a Plan C) meant that even when things changed, I still felt informed, supported, and in control. I was able to carry my comfort measures and key preferences into a new setting and still achieve a birth that felt right for me.
So today, as well as wishing my youngest a very happy 6th birthday, my message to expectant mums is:
✨ Have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C
✨ Prepare for different possibilities
✨ Invest in this hugely important life event
An antenatal course is worth every penny — whether with me or another provider — because birth rarely follows a script, but preparation gives you confidence, clarity, and choice.
