That’s when i decided to look for a doula to help me advocate for myself during labor. It was during this search that i came across Midwife by Nature. I had no idea that home births and birthing centres were a thing in South Africa. I spent hours on the Midwife by Nature Facebook page, it was as if I was binge watching a series. Once I finished reading all the posts I moved over to the Google reviews and then back to Facebook to check for new birth stories. There was no way I was going to give birth in a hospital after finding Midwife by Nature especially once I found out that Sister Crystal worked at a MOU for years, I knew there was no one more experienced to deliver my baby. I had made up my mind without even having to meet Sister Crystal. Once my partner was on board and the birth was booked, all the anxiety about advocating for myself and writing detailed birth plans went out the window. All I needed to do was focus on my birth prep and getting my mindset right.

We looked forward to every antenatal appointment, with Jeremy waiting under the carport. As the time grew closer I started feeling unprepared and nervous about birth, Sister Crystal answered all my questions and made me feel at ease and confident that I can do it. I felt good after every appointment which was really the opposite of when I had visited my OBGYN’s. At the end of every appointment we would catch up with Jeremy and always left laughing! Jeremy dealt with all the Discovery claims which was really a burden taken from our shoulders.

Fast forward to the day I went into labour. My surges started at 12am on Sunday morning, at 3am my water broke but by 12pm the surges stopped and Sister Crystal advised me to rest but come in at 3pm to check baby’s heart rate as it would be 12 hours since my water broke.

The birth – Throughout my pregnancy I practiced breathing techniques but this required me to push which I didn’t know how lol. With my knee in Sister Crystals neck she guided me on how to push and my partner did it with me so that I could get it right. She encouraged me throughout by telling me what she sees and feels – he was s very busy, moving a lot and had a full head of hair. She told me to continue pushing once I feltl a burning sensation (I completely forgot about crowning). Once he crowned I started talking instead of pushing, my partner quickly got me back into focus and before I knew what’s happening the pain vanished and I felt the warmth of my baby on my body.

From when we arrived till when we left not once did sister Crystal’s demeanour change. She didn’t once mention hospital. She told my partner to rest and stayed up with me the whole night, rubbing my back when contractions came. She truly made me feel like I was her own daughter.

I thought I had done all the prep work but when the time came I needed Sister Crystal to guide me, encourage me. I know with 100% certainty that if it wasn’t for her expertise and patience I would not have had a natural birth. It wasn’t the birth I planned for but it ended up being the perfect birth for me; the birth that I needed. Because of Sister Crystal I am able to think back on my birthing day and be met with good emotions. This is truly a labour of love for Sister Crystal, she took care of all 3 of us. I am forever grateful to her for not giving up on me.