A pregnant woman doctors wanted to induce gave birth naturally the next day and said it's important for women to trust their instincts.

Temwa Love, 29, gave birth to her third child naturally at home in November last year.

Temwa had gone past her due date and went in for a check up appointment at 41 weeks and six days.

The examination found that Temwa was not dilated and that her cervix had not dropped, which prompted doctors to suggest an induction of labour.

The 29-year-old says she felt pressured to have a hospital birth but stuck to her original plan and less than 24 hours later she gave birth at home using no pain medication.

Temwa, a content creator based in Warwickshire, said: "It ended up being a really beautiful and empowering experience."

"I had felt quite pressured at the hospital appointment about being induced."

"The doctors were concerned about the health of the placenta and after examining me said there was no way I could go into natural labour."

"But less than 24 hours later I was in full labour and gave birth to my daughter within the hour - having only a bit of gas and air as pain relief."

Temwa's first child was born in hospital with an epidural but her second was unplanned at home with Temwa giving birth on her landing in less than an hour.

So when she fell pregnant with her third child, she made the decision to have a home birth after weighing up her past experiences.



Temwa said: "My last labour was what they call a 'free labour' meaning it was unplanned and there were no midwives present."

"Despite that, it was still a more relaxing experience for me than being in the hospital."

"Before that experience, I definitely would have always chosen to give birth in a hospital and would have laughed at women who found power in unmedicated births." "

Temwa made the decision to have an unmedicated home birth about halfway into her pregnancy, after researching the topic and hearing encouragement from her doula.

She prepared for the labour by practicing natural pain relief methods, like squeezing wooden labour combs and breathing techniques.

Temwa said: "I would never have believed that squeezing wooden combs would actually help with labour pains but I was proven wrong!"

"The whole experienced strengthened my ability to know what my body wants and needs."

Temwa understands that medical treatment is necessary and important, but that women also need to trust what their bodies are telling them.

Temwa said: "Of course, I think people should listen to medical advice but when I was in my doctor's appointment I felt I still needed to stand by what I knew was right for my body."

"Even though the doctors were concerned, I knew from my past two labours what my specific body needed."

"Beyond that, I knew what my body was capable of, so I trusted in that."

"It also really mattered to me that childbirth doesn't have to feel super clinical and scary."

"It can be a totally natural and peaceful affair."

The video posted to Temwa's social media account, @temwa.love, garnered millions of views and has sparked online discussion regarding women's autonomy when deciding on birth plans.