Once I had overcome my shock (it took a while) I began making plans for our upcoming birth. Our daughter (baby number 3) had been born at home as planned with midwives. I had been fortunate to have had three great pregnancies and three fantastic births, all with no intervention and all with midwifery care in the UK. Singapore was a different story. Midwifery is not available as a form of care here and home births are pretty rare - unassisted home birth is almost unheard of. It was an easy decision for us to make - there were no indications that there would be a problem, and I have a strong belief in birth and the ability of a woman's body, working together with her baby, to birth safely. We evaluated all the risks and accepted responsibility for whatever outcomes we would face.

Despite this being my fourth baby I knew I wanted a doula. I was not looking for someone to provide me with information or tackle hospital protocols - simply a person I cared about and wanted to share this experience with - someone who could bear witness to my birth. I asked a close friend and colleague and checked with her to ensure she would be comfortable being at an unassisted birth. I also invited another friend and colleague to take video so we had a record of our birth as this was to be our last baby.

For several weeks before the baby was due I had practice contractions for hours at a  time. They would keep me awake in the wee hours of the morning and I would enjoy that time when the house was quiet to talk and listen to my baby, learning her rhythms and patterns. Christmas was approaching (I was due around January 9th) and I began to panic that I would have a Christmas baby. I had an enormous number of things to get sorted and finish before this baby arrived and it looked like my neatly planned schedule for the last few weeks of pregnancy would be destroyed. Lesson number one - babies don't follow schedules - you would think I had learnt that after three of them!

Christmas day arrived and for the first time in weeks I did not feel at all like this baby was about to be born. Should have alerted me! We got through Christmas dinner and had a lovely day, with me collapsing in bed that evening feeling like finally I could finish off the last minute things like buying nappies (diapers), some clothes for the baby and set up a new business venture I had been working on - just a few things to keep me busy! The kids were all at home as it was Christmas holidays and on Boxing day (December 26th) my husband returned to work.

I left the kids with my childcare helper that morning and headed into town to set up my business with the registration board here. As I was walking across the car park, my membranes released with a beautiful warm gush. I stood, hesitating, not knowing what to do next. For a moment I contemplated continuing with what I had planned. But I knew from my other births that once my waters had broken, labor tended to be fast and furious. It was 11.15am and so far I had not had a single contraction. After looking at all the options, I decided it was probably best to head home. My main concern was that if I started having contractions in the registry someone was likely to notice and call an ambulance and I would have all the hassle of trying to explain I was having this baby at home - most people just would not understand why I would do something like this! So, I headed back to the car, dripping skirt and all, and called my doula to let her know what was happening. I wanted to share my excitement that my baby was going to be born today, as well as hear her reassuring voice that this was all ok and normal. I got straight onto the expressway and drove the 20 minutes home - still no contractions.

11.50am: I went straight to the bathroom when I arrived and began running water in the bath. The kids all came in, realizing something was different. I asked my son to call his dad and let him know that he should come home now. I sat on the loo and had the first contraction - and boy was it a good one! Once I had got my breath back I called my doula again and hesitatingly asked her to come over. I felt foolish asking her to come after only one contraction - I couldn't explain why but just wanted her presence.

As soon as the bath had run I stepped into it - by now I had only had three contractions. The water felt incredible - soothing and relaxing and giving me a freedom that is only possible in deep water. Labor then really began in earnest - one contraction on top of the other - powerful waves crashing around me. They still seemed doable though - almost too easy. At one point I stood up thinking that the water was not making any difference - then I realised how wrong I was and quickly dropped back into the bath!!!!

Contractions continued to build and the kids popped in and out of the room, checking I was ok. My son came in to tell me that he had told his dad what was happening but there was no need to come home straight away - what?????? I called him straight away but thankfully he had realised that if I was in labor he needed to get home quickly and so was already on his way.

12.15pm: Ross arrived and I felt immediate relief. I had been worried about him riding his bike home on the expressway - something I never normally worried about but childbirth paranoia had taken hold of my brain. The kids continued to be around - coming and going and trying to get some photographs. My doula arrived shortly afterwards and could hear my "focusing" on contractions from the roadside! As she walked in I looked at her and said "I want to go to hospital and have a cesarean!" (Of course, I didn't want a cesarean, I just needed to say it!) OK, she replied, just have the next contraction and we can pack a bag, then smiled at me.

12.40pm: I continued to focus on relaxing and letting my body take over. It seemed to be progressing incredibly quickly and I could not quite believe my contractions were so strong. I reached down and checked myself to find that I was already able to feel the baby's head - at this point I must have been almost fully dilated. I had not had any show but could feel the baby descending gradually.

12.50pm: My friend arrived with the video and began filming quietly in the corner. I began to feel an urge to bear down that was becoming increasingly overwhelming. My husband had to into the bath behind me and was holding me in his arms. I had him behind me, my doula in front of me, and my children around the room - I felt strong, and incredibly supported.

1.05pm: I looked into my doulas eyes and told her I could not do this. I could feel the burning and knew what I had to come. I remembered this feeling - once I started pushing with the next contraction there was no going back - I wasn't sure I wanted that. She asked me to think of what I was afraid of - "that it will hurt". Yes, she said, it might, and you can do this! Yes, I thought, I can.

1.08pm: I feel the baby descend rapidly and put my hand down to guide her out - I feel my body open to allow her to come and her slippery head begins to move into my hands. Wow, this is so amazing!

1.10pm: Alexandra Flynn O'Neill Macfarlane is born. I left her up onto my chest and we all just look at her in amazement - where did this little person come from? Ally looks up at me and her dad with her big round eyes as if to say "hi, so you're my mum and dad then?" The kids stand by the side of the bath and watch her - talking about all her perfect tiny features.

1.25pm: I step out of the bath as I am getting uncomfortable and move to sit on a bucket so I can birth the placenta. Ally is in my arms with us both wrapped in towels. There has still not been one single drop of blood - the water is crystal clear! We all notice that there is a true know in Ally's cord - amazing! We have called the doctor who was caring for me during pregnancy and he arrives. I ask if he can give the scissors and clamp to my oldest son who wants to cut the cord. The placenta is birthed shortly afterwards and all the kids ask to look at it.

1.40pm: I climb into our bed with all the kids around me, my husband, our doulas, and our beautiful new baby. We eat bacon sandwiches and drink wine. The sun is streaming in the window. friends drop by to visit for the afternoon as the kids come and go and I cocoon myself in my new baby and the love and friendship from all around me.

Bedtime: I fall asleep with my new baby in my arms, hardly able to comprehend what I have done today. My labor with Ally was 70 minutes from the first contraction to the birth. It was incredible. We are now a family of six which we never expected to be - and it is just perfect!