Luka’s Birth Story 🤍

From the very beginning, I always knew I wanted a waterbirth. It wasn’t something I questioned — it was something I felt. I wanted to feel everything. I wanted to experience birth fully.

I was initially with a gynaecologist, but something inside me kept pulling me in a different direction. My heart kept telling me that I needed to do what felt right for me. I knew I wanted no medication, something I’ve never been a fan of, delayed cord clamping, and as few interventions as possible. That knowing is what led me to choose a different path.

When I met @midwifebynature and Lindie @blessed_beginnings.doula , I felt it immediately — this was it. This was the way I was meant to bring my baby into the world. My last check-up with the gynae was at 28 weeks, and from that moment on, I trusted my body and the team walking this journey with me.

I went into early labour on Saturday, 4 October, and I was about 2 cm dilated. For a full week, I stretched, walked, moved, and waited.

Then came the morning of Saturday, 11 October.

Because this was my first baby, I stayed in close contact with my midwife and Lindie — I had no idea what to expect or what I was supposed to be feeling. Two of my friends slept over that night, and when I went to the bathroom that morning, it felt like my water may have broken a little.

Around 10:00, contractions started. But I had already committed to a prom walk with my friends — so I went anyway 😂

I timed my contractions during the walk, having to stop every 1–2 minutes for about a minute at a time. The walk took forever and I tried pretending that I was fine🙈

When we got home, the contractions became closer together and much stronger. That’s when I finally gave in and told Ludwig, “We need to go check how far dilated I am.” Lindie and Crystal were constantly chatting to me, grounding me through every moment.

I had this whole vision in my head: fairy lights glowing, my worship playlist playing softly…

But NOPE

none of that happened.

got into the water at about 14:00, and the relief from the warm water was instant.

Crystal and Lindie guided me through each contraction, but I honestly couldn’t hear or think anymore. All I kept wondering was, when is this pain going to be over?

I remembered something I had read:

“Every contraction brings you closer to your baby.”

That thought carried me through.

It was a good pain! Flippen sore but Good!

At one point, I said, “I can’t do this anymore.”

And that’s when Luka was almost here.

With two final burning pushes,

Luka was born at 14:50

Everything happened so quickly.

Just a few hours earlier, I was still wondering when he would make his appearance — and suddenly, he was in my arms.

We held him, and then I had to birth the placenta. That part was hard, because you don’t want to feel that pain again – but it passed quickly.

In the most calm, safe, and beautiful atmosphere, we did the weighing and measuring . Lindie and Crystal helped me get Luka to latch. It didn’t happen immediately, but eventually l got there..

I am so deeply thankful that I was able to experience birth to the fullest, exactly the way I hoped for.

I was fully prepared that it doesn’t always go to plan and if that did happen I was going to go to the hospital. Thank goodness I didn’t have to. I am grateful beyond words that the Lord blessed me with a healthy baby

Crystal and Lindie guided me every step of the way.

Ludwig was my rock during this- even though he was also figuring it out as we went.

And my friends Mijancke and Chante, who lived this experience with me — I truly could not have done it without them.

This birth changed me.

It showed me what my body is capable of.

And it gave me my Luka.