Creator of Christian Hypnobirthing, Tara Menzies, Shares Her Most Recent Faith-Filled Birth Experience

When I first created the Christian Hypnobirthing app, I dreamt it would help women feel deeply connected to God throughout their births - that they would be able to have a truly faith-filled experience. Over the years, it’s been so beautiful to watch that dream come true for thousands of women. And while my last birth with our son Samuel was definitely faith-filled, it was also in a hospital waiting room with care providers I’d never met, which wasn’t exactly the most relaxed environment…

With this pregnancy, I was praying to be able to experience a relaxed, faith-filled birth in the comfort of our own home - God willing.

On August the 26th, I woke at about 2am to what felt like a more “real” contraction. I’d been having Braxton Hicks contractions on and off since 36 weeks. Even though I always say that “your due date is just a guess date” and that “you’re not actually overdue until after 42 weeks,” I still fell into the trap of thinking, maybe she’ll come early?! But she decided she was snug and happy in there until 40+1.

It was the perfect reminder that even when you think you know something, God will always take you deeper. He teaches patience and reminds you that you’ll always be learning and growing.

As the waves came and went, I listened to the Christian Hypnobirthing tracks, breathing through them and resting - even falling back asleep - in between contractions.

By about 5am, I woke my husband to say I thought he should start getting the birth pool ready, just in case today would be the day. But as soon as he got up and started doing things - and then the boys woke up - the contractions fizzled out completely. I figured it might be that night instead.

We dropped the boys off at school, then went and got coffee and drove to Kings Park, where we looked out over the city of Perth while drinking it. I had a fairly mild contraction, and then another one about twenty minutes later. I felt so joyful, knowing we would meet our baby girl soon.

We drove home and simply decided to enjoy the day together. Both of us have said since that it was one of the most relaxing days we’ve had in a long time. I was pottering about, cleaning, then stopping to breathe and sway through contractions every now and then.

I’d never even considered labouring during the day - both of our previous births had started at night - and while it felt unusual, it also felt absolutely glorious. The light streaming in through the windows was so beautiful. It felt holy.

At 11am, Will let our midwives and birth photographer know that I’d been having mild contractions on and off. Just after 12, they began to pick up, so Will called Jess (my midwife) to see where she was. She was having lunch about twenty minutes away, then planning to go home and await news from us.

I felt unsure about whether she should come sooner. The contractions were definitely stronger and more regular, and I was needing to stop and breathe through them - but they still felt so manageable. It also felt like such a special, intimate time with Will, I worried about asking anyone else into the space too early and potentially disrupting the birth hormones, so Will told her he’d let her know.

Just after that, I had a really big contraction and said to him, “Call her back - tell her to come straight to us.”

I was swaying on the birth ball listening to Still Waters by Leanna Crawford when I experienced a huge emotional release. I felt completely overwhelmed with gratitude. It must have boosted my oxytocin, because things suddenly started to feel more intense.

I’d never used a TENS machine before and was excited to try it this time. I was absolutely cranking it - and wow, did it feel good. I know it’s not for everyone, but I loved boosting it during the surges. At that point I asked Will to switch from worship music to the Christian Hypnobirthing tracks as I felt like I needed to focus. 

My birth photographer Sarah arrived just before 1pm, and my midwife Jess arrived shortly after. 

I was still making jokes at this point, so I don’t think either of them realised how far along I was - but suddenly I felt an overwhelming need to get into the pool (even though I was genuinely sad to take off the TENS machine 😂).

The waves were definitely very intense by then - but getting into the water felt incredible. It’s no wonder they call the birth pool “the midwife’s epidural.” At first, it brought such beautiful relief, but then the next contraction came with so much force that I felt a sudden wave of panic - like I wouldn’t be able to do it, and didn’t want to do it.

I started to tense up against it - but thankfully, in that moment, remembered to do the horse lips exercise, which helps release tension in the jaw. (My husband later told me he almost burst out laughing when I did it… I’m glad he didn’t.)

As soon as I relaxed my jaw, I had this deep knowing that I was likely in transition and that I was about to meet my baby girl. I knew not to fight it. And as my dear friend Lindsey Meehleis often says, “The only way out is through.”

The next contraction was huge. I reached down and could feel her head. I bent over, and the rest of her shot out into the other side of the pool. As I turned around, Will picked her up out of the water and handed her to me.

I felt hysterically happy.

Our beautiful baby girl, Matilda Louise, was finally here - in my arms. I’ve never experienced such an incredible high. Such a glorious, sacred moment. On earth, as it is in heaven.

Matilda weighed 9lbs 5oz (4.23kg), and her head was actually over the 100th percentile - but amazingly, this was the first birth where I didn’t need stitches. I believe this is a huge testament to relaxation and truly allowing my body to work the way it was designed to. In previous births, I did some forced pushing. This time, it was all FER (fetal ejection reflex), and I simply allowed my body to do the work.

I talk a lot in my book and course, Faith-Filled Childbirth, about the difference continuity of care makes - and I truly experienced the benefits of that during this pregnancy and birth. Having a care provider who became a friend, someone I genuinely enjoyed spending time with, and also deeply trusted as a highly qualified medical professional, made such a difference. From the moment Jess walked into the room, it was as though my body knew it could fully relax - and Matilda was born just 28 minutes later. I will forever be grateful for her reassurance and belief in me.

I’m also incredibly grateful for our beautiful birth photographer Sarah, and our second midwife Sam (who sadly missed the birth because it was much faster than expected!).

My wonderful husband Will was absolutely incredible. He is such a loving husband and father, and I’m so thankful for his unwavering support - and for the privilege of walking through this life with him.

And ultimately, I feel so deeply grateful to our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit - for guiding us through this time, and for being with us no matter where or how we give birth. For the truly miraculous journey of motherhood, and the blessing of children.

So often, the words of 1 Samuel 1:27 come to mind:“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.”

Thank you, Lord 🙏🏻

By Tara Menzies

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