02/09/2026
This birth was planned to be at a hospital right up until the very end of pregnancy when the woman realised that she was unsatisfied with the care she was receiving. A bold decision was made to follow her original desire for a homebirth and reach out to see if that was still possible. It was destined to be and I was fortunately able to accommodate.
I thought about how many women reach the end of pregnancy and find their care falling short. I witnessed a beautiful and powerful physiological birth, undisturbed in the living room. I also wondered what this birth may have looked like or felt like if not for a decision made less than a week ago. Or if there had been no one available to support her desire to change birth locations.
Sometimes women start off in one model of care. It may happen because that's the only one they knew about, that's the one their GP referred them too or that's the one they chose when comparing all the options.
Trying to change into a different model of care late in pregnancy can be tricky as many practitioners are booked out. But it is always worth exploring.
That's why it is so important to research ALL your care options early in pregnancy so you have the maximum opportunity to find a care provider that aligns with you. And if your care doesn't feel right, consider other options as early as possible.
What you deeply desire does not go away. Follow your instincts.
