The idea of giving birth can be daunting - if not outright terrifying. So many of the stories we hear about birth are negative or frightening, but in fact many women and birthing people feel positive and satisfied after their birth, however their births have unfolded. What's more, reading positive birth stories during pregnancy can help women to feel calm, confident and prepared, and so increase the chances that they'll have an experience they'll look back on positively.

Collected here by doula and hypnobirthing coach Claire Fulton are thirty true stories from a diverse group of ordinary people, representing a wide array of experiences. There are hospital births and home births; inductions, caesareans and vaginal deliveries. Things rarely go quite to plan, and there are moments of surprise, frustration and unexpected comedy along the way, but all of the stories deliver comfort, reassurance and a happy ending.