My private midwife was very understanding of my need for detailed planning and self-determined decision making throughout my pregnancy. She listened to the story of my previous traumatic birth - an unplanned, unnecessary caesarean, answered my questions, supported all my decisions, and helped build my confidence. She supported my choice to have a doula present as well. I was lucky again to have an easy, very healthy pregnancy. I had a 3-day pre-labour, and she was patient and encouraging throughout the frustration of having things seem to start and stop all day. When things finally started for real, I ended up labouring so quickly that she didn't make it in time, arriving just a few minutes after my baby was born. It was such a great experience - I came out of my birth feeling so powerful and whole. So much better than the awful way I was treated for my caesarean birth.