Ruby's Healing Home Birth Story

I had the joy of working with Ruby and her husband to support the birth of her second child. After a traumatic hospital forceps birth, she decide to take matters into her own hands and do things VERY diffferntly this time. She has kindly agreed to sharing her story:

"Trying to think of how to title my story and the main word that yells through my mind is Healing. That is what my second birth was, and it was beautiful and needed (if a little quick!) 

Amy has been a part of my pregnancy and birth journey since my first pregnancy back in 2022 with my son, when I was part of her pregnancy yoga classes. The space she created I loved and it was her class (and a fateful downward dog!) that I put down to getting my labour going! My son was born at 39weeks at QMC (Nottingham), and unfortunately it was a poor experience with practitioners simply not listening or believing me. After 23hrs he was born via forceps and episiotomy, I was shattered physically, emotionally and spiritually.  

It took my husband and I a good while to contemplate doing it all again. However, in 2025 we were blessed to be pregnant with our second. I knew instantly I wanted Amy as part of the journey, as she had supported me so much after the first birth with my feelings of being let down by the hospital. This time round, we had Amy as our doula and we set to work on our top plan - a home birth and a healing experience. There were hiccups along the way from debates on whether my house was under Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire to a consultant appointment that literally nobody in the room knew why were there (eyeroll). But Amy was always on the other end of the phone to experience our joy (finding out we were having a girl!) or joining in my WTAF rants of “opinions” of healthcare staff.  

This birth was completely different, I don’t think you quite realise how different your journeys can be. My son was like the movies, woke up to my waters breaking and soaking through 3 bath towels! My daughter was slow going with false starts for over a week and waters never actually “went”. I also expected her to be “early” like he was, but she wanted some extra baking.

After I had an argument with a consultant trying to book me for an unnecessary induction, Amy came round to my house that night for a lovely biomechanics session. Shaking some apples and some side movements & massages got my oxytocin up and my body feeling great. And just like my first labour… she got things moving and the very next day things started!

Amy was in constant text communication as we let Derbyshire team know I was in labour and they confirmed the home team were available (winning!). My husband got the pool up but held off filling as it could be a while… couple of hours later I had a shower and needed the tens machine. Hour later we needed the midwife team to be on their way… if you’re in Derbyshire, remember how BIG that county is. Our on call team lived an hour away in the Peak District and it was Friday tea time traffic… Big “uh oh” in my mind, but I breathed and cranked up the tens machine. One hour later midwives arrived with Amy just behind them.  

I knew I was close… I knew in my body and mind I was close. I had felt this before and everyone started trying to fill the pool quicker whilst Amy got out her spiky balls for me! She sat by my side through each contraction holding the gas and air to my mouth. It wasn’t long until I told Amy to tell them to stop, baby girl was coming now. My husband and a midwife were squished down behind me leaning over our armchair, and the unused pool in the room!

After a few big, powerful, painful, primal pushes… baby girl was here! (Amy has hands of steal!) My husband delivered her, cut the cord and I felt the most relief I have ever felt in my life. Midwives and Amy arrived at 7.30pm, I gave birth at 8.50pm!  

It wasn’t all an easy experience, baby wasn’t crying “loud enough” for them to be happy… Amy assured me she was fine, she came quickly and this happens all the time. Few minutes later she screamed louder so they were happy and I was able to hold her. The sheer intensity of relief from this birth was beyond comprehension (Amy captured this in a very poignant photo).  

After placenta delivery and everything checked over we were given the all clear, and we could go get cuddled up in bed. I cannot explain how amazing it feels to get into your own bed post birth with a cup of tea and the birth snacks Amy provides (that I hadn’t had time to eat during!) My husband and I were able to relax and delve into the love of this small human whilst Amy sorted the house (and our dog!) before leaving in the early hours.  

This birth was everything we wanted, and Amy was such a key confidence builder for us to push for that. I’ll always be grateful for her help in the birth of our daughter Clodagh and my healing journey. "

Thank you so much to Ruby and Richard for inviting me to be part of your gorgous (swift!) birth.

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