Because of my medical background (Remote Area Nurse), I have never considered having a homebirth – it had always seemed too risky with too much at stake. And yet that’s exactly where our fourth baby was born – in the comfort of our home with our other children (aged 9,7 and 4) present. They took it all in their stride as if it were the perfectly normal way to have a baby. And it is!

Our past three deliveries in hospital were relatively straight forward but were long, difficult and stressful experiences. This time we were both more relaxed which made it a positive experience for both Caleb and I. I laboured from 6.30pm until 1.30am on my own and coped really well until the last 20 minutes when I called my midwife and she promptly arrived – good timing! The children woke up and showed up not long after, so we all welcomed Mutiara Joy into our family together.