Stories of Homebirths with Midwives Attending
Compiled by LLM
from Chantal's
Birth Story
Following are the stories of women who gave birth
at home, attended by midwives. Most stories are
joyful, a few are sad- as women find their midwives
intervened in their births more than they anticipated.
Please email
me if you want to add something to this page.
- For midwifery and homebirth links, go here.
- For BirthLove Columns with midwifery information,
go here.
- There are many stories of midwife-attended
homebirths after cesareans on this
page.
- Find breech homebirth stories here
and twin homebirth stories here.
Click to go to the desired section:
Negative Experiences with
Midwives
Homebirths
Lea's
Birth- A Case For "Undisturbed Birth"
This includes how Julie's original midwife did
an about-face days before the birth about how
supportive she was of Julie's plans and feelings.
Zoe's
Birth Victoria, a 36-year old first time mother,
found her midwife and her assistant to be ill-prepared
and impatient; their behavior lent unwelcome stress
to her birth and bonding period afterward. This
is the final entry in Victoria's wonderfully-written
pregnancy journal, and includes beautiful photos.
Channolin's
Birth Dawn Sweeney writes the story of her
first child's birth over two years after the fact-
with the full knowledge that came with giving
birth to her second... she realizes now, sadly
and angrily, that her midwife caused a great deal
of harm to her birth. Updated 12/19/02 with
Channolin's hospital transfer memories.
Emma's
Birth Story: Addendum Vivian now is angry
over what she had thought at the time was a lifesaving
intervention by her midwife: her baby's clavicle
was broken.
My
Voyage to Strength Roberta from Italy shares
her three birth stories. In her hospital birth,
she finds stupidity in her treatment (the amniotomy-
surgical breaking of her waters- and then the
forced pushing of a baby who hadn't descended
could well have resulted in her cord prolapsing
and her baby dying), and stupidity in breastfeeding
"help" as well. She then had one "okay"
homebirth, and then one where the midwife was
disrespectful, hurtful and selfish. Roberta believes
her harsh treatment in her births has largely
been due to her own struggles with self esteem-
but she understands that through powerful birth
and mothering, she will become more powerful as
well. Includes pictures.
Ray’s
Homebirth, the Birth of a Mother Sarah's midwives
were inexcusably impatient with her- but Sarah
was so strong and brave throughout her 28 hour
birth process.
Emma Rose's
Birth Story While her baby's birth went very
well, Nancy is upset that her midwife was so censuring
of her birth vocalizations and behavior. Note
that this story includes mention of meconium (baby
poop in utero)- hospital transfer need not happen
because of it. (For more on meconium, go here.)
The
Birth of Jake Falcon Linda's homebirth with
a midwife made her feel angry, violated, and prompted
her to begin researching all she could about midwifery
and childbirth. Includes mention of her disastrous
experience with castor oil induction, and links
to her other stories.
Praying
for peace and healing and answers... Mary
Tim tells about her scarring experiences with
Ontario registered midwives, and the hospital
birth their "care" precipitated (she
had planned on a homebirth).
A Father's
Story "David" speaks candidly
of his pain, and his wish for a better way of
birth. Two hospital births, one homebirth- none
of which fulfilled his need for a primal, sacred,
sensual passage.
Paula Benhaddad's Birth
Stories Paula lives in Scotland, and is the
mother of four. She discusses all of her births,
as well as the group B Strep, postpartum depression,
and midwife struggles she encountered with them.
Sad hospital transports
Krista's
Letter to Her Midwife Krista is angry
about the cesarean that her midwife did little
to prevent. She is outraged and in deep grief
over all that she and her baby have lost in the
birth...
Bela's
Story Rachel was transferred to the hospital
out of her midwife's distrust in the birth process.
In her unplanned for and unasked for hospital
birth, Rachel found stupidity, impatience and
pointless humiliation. Included in her story:
how her baby was accidentally poisoned by her
midwife at two weeks old, and the path to healing
that she took.
My
Caesarean Story Anna was planning
a homebirth- but due to a series of bad judgments
by her "midwife", Anna ended up with
a cesarean- a very terrible one.
Ysa's Birth
Christina was dumped at the hospital by her midwives;
alone because they were afraid the hospital staff
would be "mean" to them!
Positive Experiences with
Midwives
Women having their first
babies
The
Home Birth of Alexander John Stones Beccy
gives completely uninterfered-with birth at home.
In this Beccy talks much about how she was feeling
in every stage of birth.
Ryan's
Birth Story Stephanie, who had kept a
pregnancy journal on BirthLove (linked from story),
shares her voyage through giving birth to her
first child: the myriad sensations of body and
soul in birth, and the awesome personal power
that comes with giving birth primally. This includes
photos, as well as how her midwife respected her
desire to birth autonomously (she waited in the
next room while Stephanie caught her baby in the
water tub), and how an unusual tear on Stephanie's
labia healed perfectly, and naturally. Says Stephanie
about her birth-
"I was aware of a Consciousness in me-
I was at a place I'd never been before: I felt
at the edge of the Universe, and I saw where
light and dark exist simultaneously, where all
things are and always will be. Like I had traveled
to reach a Universal energy where all things
are created. It was a literally a burning line
of simultaneous opposites, life and death, a
burning line of creation itself. I was forever
changed having reached that line- it is as if
I went to the Center and came back with my Soul,
really. As if all the limitations I put on myself
and carried in insecurity, jealousy and fear
were burned away at that creation place."
The
Birth of Ethan James King Joanne in England
gives birth at home; though the birth was a bit
more managed by her midwives than she had anticipated.
Note that entonox and a TENS machine were used
in Joanne's birth.
Viktor's Birth Story
"Viktor was born on the 22nd of December
at 2:42, a day past the winter solstice. I awoke
in the morning having steady contractions and
our midwife arrived at 9:30. I progressed easily,
though I did push for just under four hours.
He arrived perfect and beautiful. His head was
beautifully shaped and his blue eyes were bright,
looking right at me. He found my breast easily
and has nursed like a pro ever since. Alert
babies really do find the breast themselves.
This was so special to watch.
"We left the placenta and cord attached
to him for 26 hours. By that time the cord was
dried up and cutting it was like cutting a piece
of leather, no clamping or tying. The cord attached
to him fell off by day two and his tummy button
is perfect. My midwife and two assistants attended
to me like angels. I was so supported. They
kept telling me that I was doing a great job...
I am so grateful to have been in this kind of
environment, because I was overwhelmed at times
by the intensity of the whole experience. Viktor's
heartbeat was strong throughout all my pushing
and towards the end I told him to help me and
squirm out the way I knew he could. That's just
what he did and soon after he was in my arms.
"He is such an alert and precious tender
hearted boy. He was free from all hospital meddling
and we freely bonded as a family. My midwives
even let us discover that our baby was a boy.
If I am still here in Michigan when our new
baby arrives we will be in our beautiful safe
home birthing a healthy strong newborn baby,
with the same group of midwives. The midwives
we used are a team and we use whichever one
is on call when our baby decides to come see
us on the other side.
"I wonder what he would say if he were
to write his story, from his point of view.
I ask him if he remembers seeing me for the
first time and he nods and says yes. I tell
him about his birth and he knows what I am talking
about. I am sure his spirit will always connect
with his experience. I am realizing more and
more how special it is when a child can be born
in a sacred, life-honoring, safe and empowering
environment, and continue blossoming in such
an environment too... may we all live in and
create such places!" -Emily.
Also by Emily: Reclaiming
My Health, Resurrecting My Power
Owen
David Morrison’s Birth Story Phoebe,
a plus-sized woman, finds renewed love in her
relationship with her husband and a profound sense
of growth, power and self-esteem in her first
birth. This includes lovely pictures, and a bit
about why Phoebe, who was initially planning an
unassisted birth, chose to have a midwife at her
birth.
Birth
of Ross Tammy has her first of four homebirths
in 1981, in wonderful actualization and power
with a gentle, respectful midwife attending.
The Home
Waterbirth of Isabella Charlotte Rose This
is the detailed account of Jeanette's whole birth
process- from her first labor sensations to several
hours after the birth. She learned an enormous
amount about birth, and the amazing trustworthiness
and beauty of women's bodies. Includes photos.
Phoenix from
the Flames: Sahara Rayne's Birth Story Beautiful
mama Jessi writes intimately about her birth;
she says about her baby- "...my little daughter
was all I saw. I swam in her eyes and felt awake
for the first time in my life." She also
talks about some regrets: her BC registered midwife's
limitations of practice, and her mother's presence
at her birth. This includes lovely photos.
Aspen's Homebirth
Bren talks about her first baby's birth, as well
as her life before the pregnancy- including her
sad miscarriage.
Kali's
Homebirth Story This tells the story
of how the mother found her birth attendant long
before her pregnancy, and then about the birth
itself, in loving detail. Includes a photo.
The
Birth of Patience Anna Macy shares
the incredible story of her baby's birth. Her
doula and midwife were exemplary; the birth story
so descriptively and lovingly told. To read Anna's
pregnancy journal, go here.
Elainie's
Twin Homebirth Story A first-time mother gives
birth to twins at home at 42 weeks gestation,
while attended by a midwife. Photos added 11/29/01
Melissa
Mead's Pregnancy Journal This contains her
son's birth story- written both by Melissa and
her husband.
Beautiful,
Gentle, Sacred, Safe- The
Birth of Hannah Pressman
This birth story is told by both Hannah's mother
and father. It is among the most moving, profound
and inspiring birth stories I have ever read.
I can't read it without crying. This story should
be read by simply everyone! It is very descriptive
of what birth feels like, it shows how positive
water can be in "labor". The doula and
birth attendant in this story illustrate excellence
of practice.
Kirsten
Faith's Birth Story -by Crystal Kay. This
story is beautiful! It is rich in images, beauty,
spirit, love... I wish all first births could
be as gentle, loving and safe as this one was.
Visit Crystal's new website, Birth
Alliance.
Isaac's Birth
Sheila gave ecstatic birth at home, surrounded
by love and support from her midwife and husband.
Maria Petræus' Birth Story
A mother from Denmark shares the touching story
of her second child's homebirth (as well as some
information about childbirth in Denmark) . She
writes in both English and Danish:
MY JOURNAL: LABOR OF LOVE
Excerpted from the Oprah
Winfrey website.
When she gave birth, actress Thandie Newton
insisted on trusting the experts- herself and
her baby.
"I had no idea what giving birth would
mean to me. I thought it would mean endless,
beating pain; anger at my husband and the world;
anger even at my baby. And fear. That was the
big one—fear of the contractions reeling
off another round through my body. Fear of possible
slices, stitches, injections, and drugs. Fear
of my body being broken and ruined for a time.
Mothers I spoke to consoled me with the promise
that as soon as my baby was born, I would forget
the pain. But you know what? I never, as long
as I live, want to forget a single sensory moment
of that extraordinary night. I claimed the right
to my body and my experience, and got to marvel
at the majesty of it. And every year as I wrap
a birthday present for my girl, I will be thinking
about our labor- hers and mine- and how magnificent
we both were.
"It all started with my wanting a home
birth. It just seemed obvious: I didn't want
the conventional picture of a woman on her back
with doctors urging her to push. In fact, I
didn't want my experience to be controlled by
anyone other than me, unless it had to. I couldn't
imagine feeling "loose" in a hospital;
it seemed too claustrophobic an environment,
unfamiliar and forbidding. Even in the early
stages of pregnancy, I knew I needed to be in
a place that I identified with trust and safety,
and in my home I could be whatever I wanted
to be, whenever I wanted. If my pregnancy ran
into trouble, I would find a hospital and readily
hand the problem over to the experts, but with
a healthy pregnancy, I knew who the expert was-
me."
For more of Thandie's story, order up the
March 2001 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. And
note that there is a message/post board on the
above-linked page asking for our opinions about
homebirth (click the blue "What do
you think about home birth?"). Let's
all write in saying how much our freedom to
birth in privacy, safety and dignity in our
own homes means to us.
Letter
from Karen Karen talk about her birth, how
negative birth experiences impact children, and
how drinking milk may not be a good thing.
Women having subsequent babies
Cleary's
Birth Robyn's third child was born with surprising
speed- she went from 1cm to 10cm dilated in what
seemed like a heartbeat. Robyn includes lovely
photos with her story.
Gabrielle's homebirth stories
- Peter's
Birth Gabrielle has her second homebirth
with her third baby, but almost doesn't get
to due to insurance company bureaucracies. This
birth was a joyous family event.
- Timothy's
Birth Gabrielle's second baby is born with
remarkable ease and sweetness, in peace and
tranquility at home. This birth was healing
for Gabrielle, whose first baby was born breech
and surrounded by cruelty and chaos in the hospital.
Says Gabrielle now about homebirth- "...Our
second son was born at home, and I would not
consider anything else good enough for my children."
Abigail
June's Birth Kerensa's third child is
born gently in the water. Note that Kerensa's
husband was beautiful in the birth process, and
that Kerensa made a point out of keeping optimally
healthy in her pregnancy. Includes precious photos.
Isaac's
Amazing, Perfect Birth Colleen has the birth
she dreamed of- with so much love, peace and with
her gentle midwivews attending. This includes
how her little children were involved in the birth,
as well as how the baby had his cord around his
neck, and he was in a brow presentation; says
Colleen- "apparently in hospital this would
have meant an automatic c-section as the belief
is that such babies will get stuck and are 'undeliverable'.
So I felt very proud that my little bruiser and
I managed without any interference."
Lea's
Birth- A Case For "Undisturbed Birth"
Julie Foster gives birth at home in her bathtub
to her third child, with her midwife minding her
wishes to be left blissfully alone. Included:
how Julie's water was slightly stained greenish
with meconium, how her original midwife let her
down, and how her baby's cord (which was the longest
the midwife has ever seen) was around her neck
four times! Julie simply unwrapped her thriving,
healthy baby. Note that this story includes much
pregnancy, birthing and women's wisdom and amazing
photos. Excellent quotes by Julie include:
"I worked on changing my mindset while
pregnant. I try to 'welcome' contractions and
any sensations that accompany them, and I think
of other words to use, besides, 'pain' or 'contractions'...each
time I had a contraction while pregnant, instead
of going, 'ohh, here comes another one', and
stopping whatever I was doing, and closing my
eyes, going, 'eww, this one's really uncomfortable!
I can't even walk right now!', I started to
train myself to say, 'Oh, here's another one
(in a very sing-songy tone)... hey, every one
of these that I have, helps efface my cervix...
my baby is getting a nice little hug right now...
this isn't painful, just firm, tight, intense'
and any other adjective I could think of that
was positive! And guess what? It worked! I managed
to practice enough that I applied this when
in labor, and from my perspective, experienced
a 'less painful' one. The mind is, indeed, a
powerful tool."
Chantal's
Pregnancy Journal and Birth Story Lots of
sweet photos illustrate Chantal's voyage through
her fourth child's pregnancy and birth. Included:
her (successful!) efforts to prevent a recurrence
of pre-eclampsia, and how ultrasound determined
both her early "placenta previa" and
how the placenta grew naturally away from her
cervical opening. Says Chantal about her first
homebirth:
"I never realized what a mental thing
birth can be until this, my fourth birth and
first homebirth. I learned a lot about myself
in just a few hours. I realized that I am strong.
Stronger than I thought. Not just physically,
but emotionally and mentally. I never had faith
in my ability to concentrate and focus the way
I did that night. Nor did I have a firm faith
in my body to perform such a task. I think a
small part of choosing to birth at home was
that I felt the need to prove something to others,
but I came away with something more, what I
proved to myself!"
The
Arrival (at last!) Of Tabitha Cerys King Tabitha
was born at 43 1/2 weeks at home in England; her
birth was beautifully emotional for Joanne- she
was so happy to have a little girl. Noteworthy:
Joanne refused hospital induction on the grounds
that an induction would lead to more complications
than waiting it out, and that she "fibbed"-
to great result- about her due date to her midwives.
The
First Home Birth- Dana Lynn Cathi talks about
her first homebirth in Virginia- where her midwives
were (and some still are) required to remain anonymous
for her birth, to avoid legal persecution. This
includes her hospital and unassisted birth experiences.
The Birth
Story of Ava Wolf von Tengelitsch In this
deeply moving and beautifully told story, Samantha
speaks richly of the luscious, wild night her
baby was born. I (Leilah, site editor) can't read
this story without crying.
Birth
of Adam Tammy has a joyful pregnancy and birth,
despite the constant challenge of dealing with
a husband who had become abusive.
The Pregnancy
and Birth of Ava Grace Shellie gives
birth at 42 weeks pregnant with lay midwives,
at home and unhindered. Included: what helped
her sore back feel better in pregnancy, and how
she "told" her uterus to stop bleeding
so much after her birth- and it did. Includes
a lovely photo. Photos added 9/12/02
Brenna's
Birth After a violent hospital birth with
her first child, Lauren has a quick, easy birth
at home. Though years later, she does have some
regrets about the birth. Includes photos.
Rachel's
Birth Lauren's second child is born at home
with many friends around her. (Too many
friends, she later thinks!)
Aja's
Birth Jacqueline tells in verse the story
of her waterbirth; and the agony and ecstasy of
giving birth.
Melanie Warder's Homebirth Stories Five
of Melanie's six children were born at home. Read
about:
Calvin's Story It was just the midwife and
the mom and dad in this radiant home waterbirth.
Melanie says of her midwife- "She told me
I was beautiful and that I did a wonderful job.
I don't think I could have found a better midwife.
She gave me exactly what I needed through the
pregnancy, labor and birth." Melanie's first
baby died after being born in a series of medical
mishaps at 24 weeks gestation.
Nathan's Healing, Precious Birth Brenna's
first birth was drugged, cut and so sad for her.
With her second child, she had the birth of her
dreams- intact, and in joyous peace and trust.
Photos added 7/3/02
Stacy's Homebirth
Stacy's baby was born sweetly into her heart-
Stacy just did not want to let go of her precious
little one.
The Birth
of Indigo Persephone Jackson This story is
amazing- so earthy, raw and spiritual.
Excerpted:
"The expansions were HUGE; rollicking,
rumbustious, thunderous– imagine the most
tumultuous of waves, the stormiest of seas,
water crashing– worlds colliding–
onto vast rocks. I rode the crests of these
waves, yet I was in them; they were violent
and angry, yet tender and nurturing; they rocked
me, tossed me, wrenched me and cradled me all
at once. I was birthing my baby and re-experiencing
my own birth simultaneously.
My
Many Blessings In this twin homebirth story,
Melissa's first baby is born unassisted, her second
with a midwife attending.
My Birthing
Journey Red talks about her own birth to a
14-year old mother, and her subsequent journey
through childbirth. It began with a drug-and-cut
hospital birth, and concluded (so far!) with a
gentle, powerful, and free homebirth. Includes
many photos.
Evelyn Dawn,
Surrounded by Love Sarah's fourth baby was
born in peace and glory at home- surrounded by
her husband's and midwives' gentleness, devotion
and love. This includes how challenging the early
part of Sarah's labor was, and links to her three
other stories.
Lisa's
Story: The Healing Power of Homebirth Lisa
Wilson's first baby was born through a nightmare
hospital birth drug induction/forceps delivery.
Her second baby was born in sensuous victory at
home.... this birth healed her. Includes photos.
Oak Loyer:
The Birth of My Brother This moving story
is told by the mother, the midwife, and by April,
who was two when her brother was born at ten months
gestation at home. Includes pictures.
Coming
Full Circle: Morgan Theresa Genung's Birth Story
In this empowering and beautiful story, Andrea
gives birth to her third child at home with the
great assistance of water. The midwife got there
just in time to catch the baby. This includes
many photos.
The
Birth Story of Ethan Edward Moore OH MY LORD
this birth story is beautiful- so filled with
love, images, and rich meaning. I (Leilah, site
editor) couldn't stop crying when putting it up-
Katie so generously shares the gift of birth with
her mother, father, friend- and dear little daughter,
Shelby.
By
Becky:
- Trenton's
Birth Story Becky's baby was born peacefully
at home, but died shortly after his birth. This
includes moving words by Becky's father and
husband, and links to her other birth stories.
- Amber's
Birth Story Becky gives birth at home, but
transfers to the hospital because her baby is
having difficulties.
By Elainie Gagne:
The Birth
of Noah Aren This is so beautiful, that I
couldn't stop crying when I was putting it up.
A home waterbirth story with a gentle, wise midwife
attending.
The Birth
of Olivia Ann Meyer Melinda's first two babies
were taken by c-section because her pelvis was
said to be "too small" for her to give
birth vaginally. Well- she went on to have three
VBACs, with her fifth baby being born at home
with midwives- and bigger than all the rest!
Sahara
Reign's Birth Story, by Jeannettea Hollingshead.
This emotional, inspiring, and deeply touching
birth story was originally posted on the unassisted
childbirth email list. Visit Jeannettea's
site.
The
Birth of Grey Forest Walt Rachel so beautifully,
generously and graciously shares her story with
us in both pictures and words. Her first child
came to her in pain and fear in the hospital;
her second in bliss and freedom in the sunlit
mountains.
The
Best Start for My Angel Jessica Rogers
details the births of her two children. Her
first baby born traumatically when she was sixteen;
her second baby was born four years later in
happiness and freedom at home. She was surprised
to find out, however, that her second child
has a cleft palate. Visit Jessica's
site.
Enjoying
the Journey: One Woman's Voyage into Homebirth
Jane Koehorst describes the hospital births she
found so wounding, then the gentle homebirth that
finally gave her some peace.
The Birth Story
of Hunter Alan Grant A beautiful, joyful
story of a homebirth in New Zealand. Includes
a lovely photo of the baby, only a few hours old.
"It just seemed so normal to have the
baby at home, we find it hard to believe that
people go to hospital to have babies at all,
and yet these days home birth is decreasing
again. What a tragedy for all those mothers
and babies who are missing out on what could
be the most empowering and ecstatic day of their
lives." -Vanessa Grant
Vanessa Grant's
other birth stories. Vanessa details
her eldest two sons' births with humor and honesty,
with a Christian perspective.
My
Home Birth
Shayla Imrich learns through her first homebirth
how perfect her body is for birthing- how perfect
ALL women's bodies are. This is part birth story
and part pregnancy lament.
Women with 5 or more babies
Heather's Stories
Heather McCue is a Calgary mother who writes
a column for Birthing Magazine.
She sends along her birth stories, and two of
her columns.
- Jillian's
Birth Heather scoops up her fifth child
out of the water, her third child to be born
at home. Says Heather about the impact of this
birth on her children- "They had all been
able to witness their youngest sibling be born
in natural, normal circumstances. This had really
been a family event that I think will impact
them and their views on positive birth, forever.
This links to Heather's other stories on BirthLove.
- Emily's
Birth Heather chose traditional birth attendants
and had a peaceful home waterbirth, despite
the presence of meconium. Says Heather about
the experience- "It was quick and intense
but it was empowering and beautiful. I had quiet
moments that were reflective and relaxing, and
times when I roared out from deep within my
soul and felt great power run through my body."
- Matthew's Birth
Story Heather's first homebirth.
- Michael's
Birth Story -includes her maternity
care with the Foothills Midwifery Program.
- Ryan's
Birth Story -includes her negative experiences
with Demerol.
- At Home with Heather- installment
1 and installment
2.
See Erica
Johns' page (mother of six) for her homebirth
stories.
Dean's
Birth Holly has her first homebirth with her
second child; a joyous family event. This links
to her other stories.
Phoenix's
Birth Story Cori finally has a homebirth after
four hospital births of varying degrees of trauma-
and it changed her life. This links to her hospital
birth stories.
Erica Johns'
Birth Stories Erica talks about her 5 births,
including one midwife-assisted homebirth.
"...educational,
inspiring, beautiful, easy, hard, controlled,
free...." Jocelyn talks about her five
births- from hospital horrors to more gentle births
at home. She also talks about her husband's vasectomy
and how it has impacted her.
Wild
Women Like Us- a letter from Alison,
mother of 5, to Leilah. There are so many
of us, loving our deepest, sexiest selves in brazen,
proud defiance of reserved, preserved society.
And read about Alison's amazing twin homebirth
too.
Jamie's
Story: from oral oxytocin-induced
emergency c-section to midwife-attended, then
unassisted, childbirth, she's been there. Long,
but well worth the read. For a shorter
version, click
here.
Mother June-
Fierce, Proud and Free June McInnes, Scottish
mother of 8, tells how her homebirths have liberated
her. (Note that June recently gave birth at home
to her ninth.)
Homebirth Stories
from Midwives, Nurses, Doulas and Doctors
For birth stories from nurses, go here.
Birth attendants: share your stories here!
Write Leilah.
Homebirthing
the Next Generation
"Yesterday my phone rang. I was fed up,
tired, and still feeling miserable,bad tempered,
and depressed following my recent illness. "Are
you Mary Cronk who was a midwife on the IOW"
said a young woman's voice. 'Yes' said I cautiously,
'Well I'm one of your babies' she said! She
told me her date of birth 1980 and I quickly
found her in my Register and told her the time
of her birth and her birth weight.
"'Well,' she said, 'I was Mum's third
baby and the first to be born at home because
it wasn't allowed, but you attended Mum and
told her that she could have the baby where
she wanted. Mum said it was great and easy and
then she had another one.'
"'Yes I remember your little brother Peter!'
"'Well', said the young woman, 'I am having
my first baby in South Wales and I am having
a home birth, because my Mum always said its
the best place and my midwives are lovely and
supportive.' We talked some more and then she
rang off and I wiped my eyes and blew my nose.
"I remembered the bullying and the harrassment
I endured on the IOW in the eighties as I fought
to retain my right to assist women to give birth
at home. I have kept the letters threatening
me with disciplinary action and dismissal if
I persisted in booking women for 'Home Confinement'.
It was not only the women who birthed at home
who learnt that they could but it seems the
next generation too." -Mary Cronk, Independent
Midwife
It's a BOY!!!
A midwife writes about the birth of a woman's
tenth child: the baby was the midwife's biggest
"catch" of her whole career.
Sarah Buckley, MD's birth stories
- Emma's
Birth- sweet and oceanic Sarah describes
her first child's birth- at home, with her midwife
getting there only soon before the baby was
born.
- Maia’s
Birth- A Family Celebration This is the
birth story of Sarah's fourth child. Maia was
born unexpectedly breech into the water at home,
with only her loving, reverent family welcoming
her. Includes mention of Maia's lotus birth,
and Sarah's peaceful postpartum experience.
Includes a photo.
The homebirth that changed his life
"After asking the pregnant woman for
permission, [the midwife] took me along to a
prenatal visit so I would not be a stranger
at the time of birth. Already I was beginning
to see that this was very different from the
obstetrical approach, that the medical and social
models of birth were completely distinct. It
would be impossible for me to exaggerate the
influence of my experience with homebirth on
my opinion of obstetrical authoritative knowledge
and practice. Home birth is as different from
hospital birth as night is from day. Trying
to describe home birth is like trying to describe
sexual intercourse- you can give the outlines,
but you can never adequately describe the personal
dynamics, feelings, ambiance." -Marsden
Wagner, MD excerpted from Confessions
of a Dissident
Olivia
Marie's Homebirth Story Georganne, who is
a doula, gives birth joyfully surrounded by her
carefully selected women. This page includes many
photos, and great detail about her homebirth choice,
and her labor and birth.
By Gloria Lemay:
- How I Became
a Midwife Gloria's birth stories, and her
early life as a midwife and mother.
- A
Message from a Mother Before
a birth, Gloria received a phone call from a
grandmother; in it she instructed Gloria in
how to attend her daughter's birth- and she
received her information from God.
- Miracle
on Skid Row A woman gives birth in simple
majesty in the worst kind of neighborhood.
- Christmas
Morning Baby Gloria talks about a birth
she traveled to in the deepest, coldest night-
two days after her dear mother died. This is
a beautiful, deeply moving, must-read story.
Ayden's
Birth Carol-Anne, a doula, gives birth in
the water surrounded by her husband, family and
birth attendants. This page includes many beautiful
photos of the birth, as well as before and after.
Sebastian's
Breech Homebirth Story September, a student
midwife, gives birth in glory and efficiency
at home to her second son. This story includes
her challenges with the medical "profession"
at the end of her pregnancy: she went in to
get an ultrasound, and what she got was almost
unbearable bullying that even she- a woman who
had gone to forty-five homebirths, including
two breeches- found difficult to stand up against.
Includes amazing photos.
The Birth
of Hayleigh Rose, and Midwifery in the Yukon
by Heather Bennetts, traditional midwife. Heather
writes about a beautiful home waterbirth she
attended, as well as the birthing culture within
her largely Native community.
Danaan's
Birth Story
WOW this is among the most amazing, beautiful,
soul-nourishing and perfect birth stories I
have ever read. A must-read for pregnant women
everywhere! Written by a birth attendant, it
describes the "clinical" of birth
in terms of what the clinical so unintuitively
attempts to categorize. Also- how epidurals
destroy the intuition needed for smooth birth.
Iyla's
Perfect Waterbirth A midwife candidly shares
the story of her first child's home waterbirth.
Includes photos.
Hannah's
Birth, by Midwife Allison Allison
writes about the victorious home VBAC she attended.
Hypnosis in Homebirth
Also see Hypnosis
in Birth articles.
Sarah's
Birth Story Vivian talks candidly about her
first child's birth- she was 23, happily unmarried
and in ecstasy upon seeing "the face of God"
in her precious new baby. Note that her family
was involved in the birth, too.
Emma's
Birth Story Here Vivian talks about her home
waterbirth. Included is discussion of her HypnoBirthing
techniques, how the Baby Story crew didn't make
it to the birth on time, and about the shoulder
dystocia that led her midwife to break her daughter's
clavicle. Note that an addendum was added to this
story on 12/4/02.
Clarabou's Caribou Antlers-
Nudging Laura to the Most Important Birth of All
(view
page here) Laura had a birth center birth
planned with "midwives"- but ended up
getting sectioned out of their fears about a big
baby causing problems. Well!- Laura went on to
have a home VBAC with an 11 pound baby! This is
very poetic and strong- a must-read. Nancy Wainer
was the attending midwife, who used hypnotic suggestion
before the birth.
Homebirth Articles and
Quotes
For homebirth articles, go here.
For midwifery articles, go here.
Also see articles by Gloria
Lemay and Marsden
Wagner, MD- they contain lots of info about
midwifery.
Older Moms
and Homebirth Midwives share their experiences
with women in their forties birthing their babies
at home. This includes birth story links.
Why midwives have better outcomes than OBs
"There are only two things that have been
proven to make a difference in having healthier
babies born.
- Improving the diet of the mother.
- Social support for the mother.
Obstetrician visits are 6 minutes in length,
on average, and midwife visits are 50 minutes
in length, on average. It's easy to see why healthier
babies are born to the clients of midwives...
a kind and loving midwife provides the two key
elements scientifically proven to result in a
healthier baby." -Gloria
Lemay
Her respectful midwives
"My midwives never once touched me in any
way (other than hugging me hello and goodbye)
without asking my permission first and they always
thanked me for letting them do whatever it was
when they were done. This included things like
taking my blood pressure, not just the "invasive
stuff" (which I had almost none of). They
also talked to my baby while they were palpating
her. When one of the apprentices would ask if
she could palpate, she always thanked me profusely
for helping her to learn. They were constantly
apologizing for cold hands, which actually felt
good to me because I'm so hot when I'm pregnant
:-) The feeling of respect that I got (and get)
from them was an amazing contrast to how I'd felt
during my prenatals with my boys. Almost like
they felt privileged to even be part of the journey
I was on." -Gretchen
Humphries
"Being a Midwife"
Remember that you are facilitating another person's
process. It is not your process. Do not intrude.
Do not control. Do not force your own needs and
insights into the foreground.
If you do not trust a person's process, that
person will not trust you.
Imagine that you are a midwife; you are assisting
at someone else's birth. Do good without show
or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than
what you think ought to be happening. If you must
take the lead, lead so that the mother is helped,
yet still free and in charge.
When the baby is born, the mother will rightly
say: "We did it ourselves!"
From: The Tao of Leadership, John Heider
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