What became immediately clear was Rachel's extensive knowledge around childbirth and babies combined with a relaxed and informal manner. This immediately put us at ease and enabled us to think clearly about the type of birth we wanted.

It occurred to me at this point that although it was not me having the baby, I had been under a lot of pressure myself to remain constantly supportive and strong for Sarah throughout the pregnancy, but particularly in the later stages when her high blood pressure condition became evident. I felt this pressure particularly acutely in the days we waited for the induction and Rachel was a great support to me, initially over the phone and then at the hospital when she came to the delivery suite in early labour. Ordinarily she would not have come to the hospital until labour was fully established, but she did on my behalf because by this point I was beginning to feel that that I really needed someone else there for Sarah and for me !

As soon as Rachel arrived it immediately felt as if a weight had been taken from me and that together we could both be there for Sarah. Rachel's knowledge of the birth process helped us to interpret the information being given to us by the doctors and midwives and to make informed decisions as the labour progressed. As well as providing moral and emotional support Rachel was also a great help and encouragement when Sarah began pushing. Everything went as well as could be expected under the very controlled and medicated circumstances of the labour and Elliot was delivered using forceps the next morning - Rachel having remained with us all night.