“Connect with your tūpuna, and trust in your body's natural abilities”

As a first-time mother, I experienced a natural home birth supported by my whānau and partner. I approached the birthing process without fear, trusting in my body's capabilities and embracing the challenges that arose. The presence of my younger sister, acting as a guardian throughout, facilitated a smooth transition.

The experience was profoundly positive; the strength and resilience of the female body are truly remarkable and often underappreciated. Opting for a home birth felt instinctively right, as I felt it was important to avoid the hospital environment.

My advice to new mothers is to focus on breath work , connect with your tūpuna, and trust in your body's natural abilities, disregarding external pressures. I wish I had known beforehand how overwhelmingly positive this experience could be, contrasting the negative narratives often shared.

Te-Rena Hawe