Finally, finally, finally I had the home birth I've dreamed of since I was pregnant with my second child. For 13 years I've wanted that experience.

Finally, I dared to trust my gut feeling when it told me that everything was fine and normal, and that my body knew exactly what to do. Just as it has done so well all the other times. But this time without any interference from others (well, there was just a midwife at the very end). It wasn't until my 8th child that I dared. Even though the number of previous births makes me a "high-risk mother" and it was against the recommendations of doctors and midwives.

I have given birth naturally and relatively uncomplicated every time, and fortunately I have mostly wonderful birth experiences with me, so it doesn't pay to be upset about all the home births I have missed. But I am deeply grateful that I have been allowed to experience it once after all. Because wait, how different it was for me to be at home in a safe environment, only with people I care about. Without checks and assessments all the time. The most calm and wonderful birth I could imagine. I am proud and happy and relieved that everything went the way it did, and with the most beautiful, most amazing result. Our little Vale 🙏❤️

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Linda Toft is a stay-at-home mom with 8 children.

You can find her here:

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