I still cant put into words just how incredible my experience was a grace! As a first time mum it’s so scary not knowing how you’re going to labor or if you can do it! I had a mum say to me that she wishes she had been brave enough to give birth at Grace as she could have been spared a c-section! This gave me the courage & I got my dream water birth!

I’d been waiting for labor since early December, convinced she’d arrive early for Christmas. Overdue, I took my first shot of castor oil at 5am. The cramps started — nothing consistent — so I spent the whole day resting and dozing with my TENS machine on the midwives in constant communication.

The next morning, I took another dose. Still nothing steady. I floated in the pool, danced around, listened to music — just soaking in the moment. That evening, I took one last dose… and an hour later, boom. I ran upstairs to be sick, and suddenly the contractions hit hard and fast. We made our way to the birth center with no traffic. I was already 7cm when we arrived. Straight into the shower, then into the bath — my labor sanctuary.

Two hours later, my body shouted, “Time to push!” I hadn’t expected it to use every single muscle I owned — arms, legs, abs — the works. I pushed for over three hours, completely exhausted but so ready to meet my little human. Between contractions, I even managed to nap in the warm water, listening to the rain.

I didn’t use any pain medication, which still surprises me — but somehow my body knew exactly what to do. My natural painkillers kicked in and carried me through.

My husband was my rock — keeping me fed, hydrated, and supported without ever losing his cool. My mum was the calm in the storm. And our midwife? Just amazing — gentle, reassuring, hands-off in all the right ways. She just kept saying “it’s okay, you’re safe” and I felt so safe in her care.

And then — she was here. Her head was born underwater, and a few minutes later, her body. I pulled her up onto my chest, and she looked straight at me with wide, knowing eyes. The midwife gently unwrapped the cord from around her neck, and there she was: perfect.

We were then reminded to check the gender (in the excitement, we completely forgot!). Banni looked and said, “It’s a girl!” — the biggest shock of all. I’d been so convinced she was a boy. Mostly because my husband swore he saw a penis on one of our early scans 😂 (Spoiler: he’s not a doctor.)

She stayed skin-to-skin on my chest, her tiny body melting into mine. Then my husband whipped off his shirt and held her against him too — their first magical moment together. I showered, high on oxytocin and while being checked out for a few minor stitches, she came back to me and latched like an absolute pro. No hesitation — like she’d always known exactly what to do.

We walked across to our room and settled into the most incredible space — cozy, calm, and just ours. They brought us eggs Benedict (hands down the best breakfast of my life), followed by the best sleep of my life. We were cared for so gently and lovingly for two beautiful days at the birth center — it felt like a complete dream.

I walked out of that birth center feeling like I could do anything. And honestly? I’d do it again tomorrow. A hundred times over.

Absolutely beautiful, what you see on the pictures and videos is exactly what you get, the nurses and midwives are so gentle and welcoming they make your experience at grace memorable
My baby zari meth was born at grace on the 13 July 2023 I know that this is a very delayed review but I have to give these ladies their flowers

Gave birth just over a week ago at Grace Birthing Centre and wow what an amazing experience. It was such a beautiful space to be in and the midwives supported me so well the whole way through.