I know this sounds strange but my contractions started while I was making out with my boyfriend. They didn't really worry me at first, so I didn't tell Callum (my boyfriend). We had made plans to go on a romantic picnic on the beach. I was having doubts but I didn't want to say anything. My contractions were 45 minutes apart and lasting 15 seconds, so I knew there was nothing to worry about.

We decided to go for a swim. The water was really warm. It felt really nice when I was having a contraction. By this time it was 2 p.m. and I needed to get out of the water. We went back to the hut. There I told Callum that I had had about 10 contractions so far. He was very excited and started kissing my belly and talking to the baby. He said, "Don't you hurt mummy too much." I was laughing.

We went and sat on the couch and we relaxed and were kissing each other, which made me relax loads. We are a loving couple.

My contractions were now 20 minutes apart and lasting a minute. I went and lay down on the bed to rest. Of course Callum came as well. We lay there, Callum rubbing my belly, and I eventually went to sleep.

I woke up two and a half hours later with a really strong contraction. I struggled to get out of bed, so I asked Callum to help me. I really needed to pee. I went to the toilet and as soon as I got there my water broke.

We went down to the beach again and watched the sunset. My contractions were now six minutes apart and lasting 90 seconds. I told Callum I wanted a beach birth, I then decided. He went home and got the birthing supplies. When he returned he asked if he could do anything. I said sit behind me so I can lie on you. This was a very affectionate moment.

I thought it was time to check my dilation. I was 5 centimeters. We went swimming for about two hours. We got out of the water and I checked my dilation. I was 9 centimeters. I was on all fours with Callum underneath me rubbing my belly with every contraction.

An hour later, I checked my dilation and I was 10 centimeters, but I didn't feel the urge to push. I waited until the urge came. I pushed a little bit, but not too hard. I asked Callum to look at my vagina to see if he could see the baby's head. He said he couldn't, so I pushed with the next contraction. He could see the head. He encouraged me to keep pushing. The shoulders came out. I told Callum to do the rest. He pulled out Ebonny-Louise at 10:05 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2007.