"I felt empowered and in control."

Following a bad labour and post labour experience with my first daughter in 2016 (overly medicalised, Pitocin given without informed consent, uncaring attitude from ward midwives), I planned for a home birth when I fell pregnant got the second time.

This was partly due to the supportive and empowering nature of the midwife I had my booking appointment with who encouraged me to explore all my options.

The support from my named midwife (Caroline) was fantastic and having continuity of care really helped. I felt able to make confident informed decisions about my pregnancy and labour.

Unfortunately I didn't get my homebirth as I eventually opted for an induction at 42 weeks. I was really worried about going into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital again due to my previous experience however I found all the midwives really supportive.

During induction I found I had to ask for things like birth ball and to be able to get into more comfortable positions but these were supported, it would be good for others to be given better information.

Once on labour ward I had a midwife and a student midwife, Nelly and Morgan if I remember right! They were really supportive and took all my preferences on board. One of the doctors who came in told me I sounded like I was finding things difficult and wouldn't I like more pain relief despite this being in my birth plan not to be offered and that I would ask, at this point I panicked however I was lucky with the support of the two midwives and my birth partner as they reassured me and reminded me of my wishes.

I was still pushed to be on my back with legs in stirrups by another doctor which again I hadn't wanted due to the increased risk of tearing however I still had a really positive and empowering birth experience.

I feel this was down to sourcing my own information as well as the support of the homebirth team and the midwife and student midwife and it could have been very different.

The postnatal support from the homebirth team was also excellent as is the support i receive from my lovely Health visitor Karen. During my first labour I felt scared, out of control and looked down on. In my second I felt empowered and in control. I practically skipped out of the hospital the next day.

Improvements could definitely be made to help birthing people feel more informed and empowered but my experience suggested things are moving in the right way