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I gave birth to my daughter Nirrimi six and a half years ago. Fifteen months later I gave birth to my son Zake, with Nirrimi present. Both births were at home and in water. In recollecting these memorable experiences, I am drawing upon the main impressions I still carry/those things which remain fluent and strong in my mind. Perhaps my experience may give others a better perspective of birthing in water and at home.

I chose homebirth because I liked the idea of giving birth in my own personal space, a familiar environment. I wanted to have an established rapport with my midwife, and indeed she became a friend, as well as being my medical professional! It was important to express my wishes and know that she would support me with them. She was available whenever I needed her during the pregnancies, and this gave me a feeling of security.

Waterbirth appealed to me because of its gentleness. As I enjoy long baths, I thought it would be soothing during labour, which indeed it was. I cannot imagine giving birth out of water! I learnt that the baby is stimulated to breathe by the triggers of a drop in temperature and the force of gravity; so I was confident it was safe. The tub also seemed very personal and protective, almost like an extended womb for myself!

The most important thing for me was education/childbirth classes, reading as many books as I could and talking with other mothers. I had confidence in knowing what would happen, including if any complications arose and their consequences.

With both labours I did not get into the tub until I craved it, which was in the last stage; and I was in the tub for a few hours. Those moments afterwards of nursing my newborn infant, supported by the water, were magical! During the labour, the water was very soothing and warm, and it was easier for me to remain in a squat position due to its buoyancy. The salt prevented wrinkling, and I added lavender oil for aesthetic pleasure and it's aromatherapeutic properties.

I loved birthing at home: for the earlier stages I chose to be alone in the garden, breathing in the flowers and green life. These moments were precious and incredibly personal. When I needed company, I called my midwife, partner and friends. It was wonderful to be surrounded by loving people. I had a birth plan and they all worked very hard preparing the pool and supporting me.

With Zake's birth, Nirrimi was just a toddler. I had prepared her as best I could through communicating with her in very simple terms what would happen. I also would give practice groans and moans, so she was familiar with the sounds I would make. These took a lot of energy as I would have to enter that birthing state to be authentic. I reckon I was a candidate for a grammy for those! Zake was born at around 3am and Nirrimi awoke at 11pm, so she had been awake for a long time for a little child. She coped well with it all, and when Zake was finally born she pointed at him and said 'baby.' We put her in the tub with me afterwards and although tired, she was fascinated with her brother: it was beautiful. (Incidentally, it was Nirrimi's second birth: the first was when she was ten weeks old and in a sling while I took photos!)

I highly recommend home and water birth as a safe, enriching experience. Birth is such a momentous event and each birth is the creation not just of a baby and new mother, but of life-long held memories which will forever be cherished and reconnected with every birthday. I felt totally safe, supported and in tune with the process, both my births were wonderful experiences and I look forward to doing it all again!