Following are thoughts and feelings of mothers
sharing their journeys into, through and after
pregnancy- written by a wide assortment of women,
from new mothers expecting first babies to wizened
mothers of many. Also on this page: journals
from women about their lives and passions.
Victoria's
Pregnancy and Birth Journal Victoria, a
36-year old professional woman, records her
feelings about pregnancy and birth, her mother,
her childbirth preparation classes and La Leche
League experiences, and so much more in her
wonderfully-written, thoughtful pregnancy journal.
Included is her birth story: she found her midwife
and her assistant to be ill-prepared and impatient;
their behavior lent unwelcome stress to her
birth and bonding period afterward. Includes
lovely photos.
Pregnancy
Journal- 35 weeks, 5 daysJeanette
shares the part of her journal where she talks
about why she wants a homebirth, and what
she envisions happening in it. And remarkably,
what she visualized is largely what she found.
This links to her home waterbirth story, and
includes a picture.
Melissa
and Leonard's Ongoing Pregnancy Journals
Melissa gave birth to her first child on October
11, 2001. Melissa shared her voyage through
her first pregnancy- its joys, troubles and
beauties. Leonard shared his voyage, too.
Stephanie's
Pregnancy Journal Stephanie was expecting
her first child, and found that a gentle,
caring mother was already living inside her-
and determined her path towards homebirth.
Stephanie speaks with touching honesty and
introspection- her journals are a must-read.
Anna
Macy's Pregnancy JournalAnna
gave birth at home to her first child, and
shared the journey of her pregnancy with BirthLove
visitors. She found many confusing obstacles
in her way- but she grew the power to have
the birth of her dreams.
Jesse's
Pregnancy Journal Jesse recorded her feelings
so truthfully and beautifully in her third
child's pregnancy. After two traumatic hospital
births (including one which nearly killed
her baby due to a student doctor's carelessness),
she went on to catch her baby in her own hands-
in luscious, loving victory. Included in her
journal: her deep frustration at bottle-propping,
soother-wielding moms at "Wally World".
Christina's
Pregnancy Journal Christinagave birth
to her second child and was planning an unassisted
birth; she transferred to the hospital after
a very long and challenging labor. She writes
with honesty, deep personal insight and passion.
Kaare's
Pregnancy Journal Kaare's first birth
was a violent experience; she longed for a
homebirth with her second child. She found
she had placenta previa though, and had to
have an emergency cesarean section. Updated
12/29/02
Birthjourney
2002 Clare is expecting her second child;
this is a summary of the journal she has been
keeping. Her entries are full of passion-
she is a deeply religious woman, and her words
are a rich symbol of her faith.
7/14/02- Clare had her baby!
"This morning, a Rose
was given us from heaven! At 7:40, a little
girl was born to us at home, after a quick
labor. She weighs 3150 grams (that's just
about 7 pounds) and is 48 cm long. Julian
was so excited to see his long-awaited sister
and he gave her a kiss right on the forehead.
Please keep Mama and baby in your prayers,
and join us in thanking God for this great
gift." -from Peter, Clare's husband,
to their friends
Kiley's
Journal, Entry 1 Kiley Myers had two bitterly
painful cesareans, then one ecstatic freebirth.
Read her story here.
Kiley had found out she is expecting again,
and wrote this beautiful entry. She has since
miscarried... :( hugs, Kiley.
Chaya's
Pregnancy Journal Chaya had a cesarean
with her first child, and then a midwife-assisted
homebirth VBAC. Her husband is a doctor though,
and while he was less than enthusiastic about
the idea of homebirth, he proved to be a wonderful
friend to her in her home birth. This is Chaya's
journey to her birth, and includes pictures.
Jen's
Pregnancy Journal Jen was planning a homebirth
after a cesarean, and discovered the power
that came from standing her ground with her
homebirth-hostile extended family. While annoying
her, this was not deterring her! Jen transfered
for a cesarean in the end though, after a
long and challenging labor. Updated 1/22/03
Wendy McNair's
Pregnancy Journal Wendy, who had two previous
cesareans, wrote about her plans for her successful
home waterbirth.
Elphie's
Pregnancy Journal Elphie's first four babies
were born by c-section; she wanted her fifth
child to be born at home but because of placenta
accreta this was no longer a reality. Updated
7/10/02 with a photo of baby William!
Jenn's Pregnancy
Journal Jenn just gave birth to her fourth
child- her first vaginal birth after three cesareans.
Her entries were warm and honest. Updated
12/6/01- Jenn had her baby!
Erica Johns'
Ten Month Mama Pregnancy Journal Birth stories
(including hospital, cesarean, birth center
and homebirth), and thoughts and feelings in
her fifth's child pregnancy from this mother
of six.
Women's Journals of Mothering
and Life
Jenny
Hatch's Journal Jenny gave birth to her
fifth child at home, radiantly unassisted;
her second unassisted birth. She has a diverse
pregnancy and childbirth history, including
a cesarean sectio and postpartum psychosis-
and she has learen so much from all of it.
Updated 1/18/03
My
Journey Red has lost her husband twice-
first through separation; then finally through
death. This is Red's account of her story
as it happens- when her husband first had
his aneurysm, then finally when she receives
his ashes. This includes many photos of her
beautiful family throughout.
Meg's
Journal Meg is an apprentice midwife,
and is sharing what she is experiencing while
attending her first births. Updated 12/2/02
Stephanie
Coleman's Articles, Birth Stories and Journal
Stephanie is the mother of two, and is beginning
her amazing journey into translating her thoughts
and feelings into word. Her first baby was
born by c-section; her second vaginally at
home. Her homebirth changed her life forever.
Updated 9/2/02
Melissa's
journal is now on 
Updated 3/28/03