Virago secures doula Claire Fulton's collection of positive birth stories

Anna Kelly, publishing director at Virago, has acquired world rights to The Little Book of Positive Birth Stories, by doula and hypnobirthing teacher Claire Fulton.

The collection of 30 positive birth stories is dubbed by the publisher as “a beautiful book to offer positivity and confidence to anyone about to give birth” and is a revised and expanded version of Fulton’s self-published book of the same title. The Little Book of Positive Birth Stories will be published in July 2025 in hardback, e-book and audio.

The blurb reads: “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.

“Collected here by doula and hypnobirthing coach Claire Fulton are 30 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.”

Kelly said: “I was so eager to read birth stories when I was pregnant myself and longed for a book just like this, and I know many others feel the same. Claire is passionate about making birth a better experience and just the right person to gather these stories. I hope they will reach far and wide.”

Fulton, who is based in Essex, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the impact reading positive birth stories can have on a person as they prepare for the milestone event of birth, so I’m delighted to be working on this book with Virago. Even if something goes off-plan, birth can still be a positive, amazing experience.”

Fulton is a doula and hypnobirthing teacher at The Nurture Nest. Her podcast “The Hypnobirthing Podcast” has been downloaded millions of times and was recommended by Mother and Baby magazine.

“Claire became passionate about helping other people to have positive births after her own experiences of giving birth to two daughters,” Virago said. “Since then she has helped to transform labour for thousands of women and birthing people.”