It all started with menstrual-like cramps, and to my surprise, the beginning of labour was much gentler than I anticipated. My previous experience with a painful miscarriage had led me to believe that labour would be VERY intense from the beginning. However, I later realised that I was in a different place at that time, resisting the process (obviously), and creating more tension and pain in my body. Nonetheless, the gentle contractions kept me up all night, and I knew `i had to cancel the builders who were supposed to come in the morning to work on our flat refurbishment (classic move when pregnant). But guess who turned up at our door 30 minutes later? So I retreated to the bathroom, took a relaxing bath, lit candles, listened to Chopin, and focused on my breathing until they left.

Throughout the day, I ate my favorite cake, tried walking around the neighborhood, but soon returned home due to my nesting instincts kicking in. The surges gradually intensified, but I managed them using a TENS machine while focusing on my breathing, in cow pose. My husband and I watched a comedy together (Hey, endorphins!). At 8 pm, my water broke, and we had to go to the hospital due to my B strep infection. Fortunately, by then, labour was fully engaged, my surges were unstoppable, and I knew I had stayed at home as long as I could.

We quickly arrived at Homerton. Triage was long, or maybe that was just the impression I got because I got out of my zone: I had forgotten my headphones and was disturbed by the sounds, the noises of people chatting around me. They monitored me for over an hour until I insisted on a room. After accepting a vaginal examination that confirmed I was at 6cm, my husband set up the room with fairy lights, the galaxy projector, and music. I've no recollection of what happened after that - I journeyed through the upper and underworlds of Labour land - where time and space don't exist. The only thing I remember is the midwife's inquiry about a song that was playing - it became my labour track, which still gives me goosebumps today.

During labour, I tried to move as much as possible while managing my surges with breathing, the TENS machine, and my husband's applying warm oil on my sacrum. It felt like we were working together, as a team. I eventually reached the point where "I can't do it anymore". I was physically exhausted, but my husband recognised the transition phase that signaled birth was imminent. When I was offered the epidural, he suggested they check how far along I was, and the midwife confirmed that I was fully dilated.

After catching my breath and relaxing my body for a few minutes, something shifted in my body, and I felt the urge to breathe down. Animal-like sounds came out of me, and I could sense the baby descending down the birth canal. My husband was in front of me, holding a towel that I was lifting to get through the end of my breathing. We must have done that for 20 minutes, I still remember his encouragement and reassurance that he could see our baby's head.

However, two hours later, I was still there. Something wasn't right. Now I realise I had let my power escape through my open mouth instead of keeping it closed, and also got out of my zone, which felt like an invitation for the midwife to step in and direct me to push. I was getting tired, and so was the baby, whose heart rate was decreasing. But there was no way I would end up having a C-section. My husband felt confident enough to ask everyone to leave and give us privacy, following Anna's advice. I refocused on my sensations and tried to immerse myself in my breathing.

Finally, our little miracle, Ness, was born at 3:30am - six hours after arriving at the hospital.  I felt relieved and exhausted, but when I looked at her, she was perfect, calm, and peaceful.
 The exhaustion and the pain all faded away, leaving me with a sense of wonder and amazement. My body had done something incredible, I felt invincible.

Due to my B strep infection, we had to stay at the hospital for the next 12 hours to ensure everything was okay. I couldn't sleep and I remember wishing I could relive that powerful and beautiful experience again and again.

Thanks to Anna's classes and advice, I was able to have a natural birth experience, which left me feeling empowered. She taught me to trust in my body and to embrace the journey of childbirth with open arms. Anna was the midwife I didn't have during pregnancy, she was such a huge help, and she really inspired me -  to the point I trained to become a Hypnobirthing instructor myself (once you're hooked on oxytocin, there's no turning back!) Now, I hope to inspire others to experience the same sense of wonder and empowerment that I felt on that incredible day.