As a woman, birth is a huge part of life. The word “woman” means we are created with a womb – created to nurture new life and give birth. I didn’t realize that until well into my mothering career. When I had my first three, I had no idea how big this was – this being pregnant and bringing new life into the world. It wasn’t until after I had my twins that I realized what a blessing it is to be part of something so magnificent. Due to the fact that they ended up being born via cesarean and I was left with a nasty infection and trying to recover and bond with two children, I decided that maybe I should check into this process of birth a bit more.
In my searching, I found home birth to be an excellent idea. But would I be confident enough to go through with it myself? Well, I found out I was pregnant with baby number six and I would get my chance to find out. We hired a lay midwife with 40 births under her belt. She was very loving, caring and also very hands off. Perfect. The birth was wonderful! So calm and peaceful and all of our kids plus my in-laws were in the house. What a joyous birth! And, despite the fact that baby Elizabeth was an ounce short of 10 pounds I had no tearing and felt great after the birth. What was this? I was use to being cut and then being sewn back up and having to heal from that. You mean women can birth without needing to be cut? We went on to have 5 more babes born at home into their daddy’s hands.
Knowing what I know now, I would do it no other way! Now I see birth so differently than I did with those first babes. With them, I thought I needed help from doctors and nurses and whoever else might meander in to the room – no questions asked. Everyone needs help to give birth, right? Wrong! I now see that MY body was made for this. It is a natural process that should take place in it’s own time at it’s own pace. What a wonderful and beautiful thing that we are capable of accomplishing without interventions!
~Vicki Davis CLD, AAMI student
