Unassisted Birth Index
Compiled by LLM
From Vladimir's
Beautiful Birth
Unassisted birth, giving birth at home without
a paid birth attendant, is on the rise in North
America (and around the world). Thank goodness
for that! It is by far safer for the majority
of women than c-sections and labor inductions
(as more and more women are having forced on them,
and are unintuitively choosing for themselves).
Here's to the glorious, powerful, wise and educated
mothers choosing unassisted birth- they are riding
the birthwave of the future, and are giving their
babies gentle, loving, perfect-for-them births.
"With Love and patience we will find our
own way. All my life I had been dominated and
victimized by people to do what they wanted.
But for once in my life I had the power to choose
something I wanted, and I chose an unassisted
birth. And I accomplished it."
-Lisa Ragone, from "Racheal's
Birth: Just me, myself and.... Poohbear?"
There are cautions for women choosing unassisted
birth- please- you must take good care of yourself.
No drugs- no smoking- no crazy late wild nights,
no assuming that all will go storybook perfectly
when your life is going nuts. Women must (yes,
must) eat well- eat optimally; researching proper
prenatal nutrition is key in eliminating problems
before they develop. Good diet is one of the two
key elements in creating an optimal pregnancy
and birth experience. (The other key factor is
adequate social support. See Gloria Lemay's Doula
Course for more.) Good places to begin learning
about good nutrition- Blue
Ribbon Baby, and by LLM:
Very, very rarely babies will die in unassisted
births. I have heard of infant deaths due to outstandingly
poor maternal nutrition and undiagnosed diabetes;
eating as if one is diabetic is a good way to
ensure a good outcome. A good place to read about
cautions involved in assuming one's one prenatal
care is the "Tips for Ten Month Mamas"
section on the Ten
Month Mama Page. Though sometimes babies will
die for no apparent reason at all, as they will
in hospitals (I would rather die at home, if I
were a baby with a choice... read If
My Baby Dies). Other times babies will die
from congenital birth defects; thing is, there
are no guarantees in birth- either unassisted,
or hyper-medically assisted. This is why one must
work to create the best possible outcome through
creating the best possible pregnancy and birth
for herself Evolution is on our side in having
the healthiest babies possible (or "God"),
but how can either combat grossly poor self-care
in pregnancy and birth? Like starvation by "choice"
or abundant drug use?
"As consumer advocates, we tend to take
the parents' side when there is a poor outcome,
but are we willing to look hard at the habits
and lifestyles of the couple and be honest with
them about their own self-destructive behavior?
We have a growing population of women who are
pathologically over and under weight. We have
more 'couch potatoes', 'shopaholics', 'drama
queens' and junk food addicts. Is it really
possible to lead a completely insane life and
then expect to have a calm, serene, healthy
birth experience?"
-Private birth attendant and midwifery teacher
Gloria Lemay, from BirthLove's Doula
Course module on the Induction Epidemic
(January)
BirthLove's bottom line about unassisted birth-
as well as all other birth choices- including
medicalized birth and midwifery care- is that
ONE MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY for the choices
she makes. I choose to have unassisted births,
and am responsible for my own outcomes. Equally,
if I choose a doctor to attend me, I am responsible
for my own outcomes as well (as I am for my four
inductions and cesarean while I still believed
in the medical system for myself). Yes. I am responsible
for the outcome I had with my midwife; as well
as for my two unassisted births. Some of my decisions
are still painful to swallow (like my choice for
an epidural with my first birth), but all decisions
are exclusively owned by me, and are lived with
by me as well.
Summing up- don't thank me for your beautiful
unassisted birth- it is up to you to create that
excellent, healing, powerful experience. I can
assist you in coming to the conclusion that autonomy
is best for you- and even give you contacts to
people who've had good births as well. Similarly-
don't blame me if your unassisted birth goes bad.
How am I supposed to know what you eat, what your
weight is (anorectic?- enormous?- both can lead
to poor outcomes), if you smoke and/or use drugs-
come on- be responsible for yourself. There is
no "storybook" outcome in an unassisted
birth. There is only what one pours into her life,
into her pregnancy and child.... is it drugs?
Twinkies? Cigarettes? Coke and beer?- or sea salt,
organic eggs, lots of fresh water and broccoli?
You make the choices for yourselves, and your
babies. Please be responsible for the choices
you make.
For more advice on optimal self-care in pregnancy,
birth, and after, see the Natural
Health and Healing Page.
Go
here for unassisted VBAC stories (vaginal
births after cesarean). In my opinion, the most
empowering birth stories of all, and classically
my favorites to "put up".
* * * *
On this page (click to go to the desired section):
UC (unassisted childbirth)
Links
First-time Moms' Unassisted
Birth Stories (including stories of births that
came after)
The Unassisted Birth
of My First Child Melissa shares the delightful,
sweet story of her baby's Christmas birthday.
Note that Melissa was 18 days "overdue"
at the time of birth.
UnaBirth:
Doing it Right the First Time Ril G., a Cape
Breton, Nova Scotia mother gives birth to her
first baby at home in the water at 35 weeks pregnant.
This story includes her amazing birth, as well
as the upsetting hospital stay that ensued. Ril
is also Owner/Moderator of the Yahoo! email group
UnaBirth.
Ginger B.'s Birth Stories
Ginger gave ecstatic birth at home to two breech
babies, then to one vertex (head first) baby;
her first and third babies being born unassisted.
Mary and Kim Siever's Unassisted Birth Stories
- Sinéad's
Birth This story is told by both Mary and
Kim Siever- they had a planned unassisted birth
with their first child. Wonderful, empowering
stories both!- must-reads.
- Regan's
Birth Mary shares the story of her second
unassisted birth. Mentioned: how her eldest
child was involved in the birth.
"Late"
Babies Augustine Daniels tells the stories
of her two unassisted homebirths. She was "overdue"
with both babies, and had more pain and drama
in her births (one a waterbirth) than she had
counted on! She is certain she would have had
c-sections for both births had she chosen to be
in her local military hospital. Includes amazing
photos.
from "Late"
Babies
Unassisted Birth Stories
Racheal's
Birth: Just me, myself and.... Poohbear? Lisa
had her first solo unassisted birth with her fourth
child. This birth was fast, and cultivated in
Lisa phenomenal growth and personal power. A cute
aspect of the story- how her "Pooh"
teddy bear was her loyal (and fluid soaked!) birth
companion. Includes how self-stimulation "took
the edge off" contractions (a lovely, wise
"epidural alternative").
The
Birth of Bryn Nicole Carys Dillon Nicole's
eighth child is born unassisted in wonderful ease
after seven hospital births. This include some
of Nicole's lessons learned in the birth; such
as- the great value of darkness in birth, and
that most if not all interventions "needed"
in birth are caused by iatrogenic (doctor caused)
fumbling and nosiness.
The Birth
of Mackenzie Grace Says Valerie about her
empowered, spiritual unassisted waterbirth: "To
make this birth possible I had to reach into the
deepest part of my being and find my power and
choose to trust nature, my body and my baby to
birth my child safely and gently the way it was
meant to and replace the fear and listen to my
inner voice... and then I just followed it."
Includes beautiful photos.
The Birth
of Belen Angel Jones Amy's sixth child is
born quickly in the water, into her own loving
hands. Note that this story includes Amy's experiences
with low blood pressure, and how she helped herself
get better fast. Note that this links to her experiences
and challenges with breastfeeding after breast
reduction surgery.
The Birth
of Daphne Astrid Mona is a doula who was planning
a birth center birth with midwives- though she
was dreaming of unassisted birth all along. She
got the birth she was dreaming of! This inspiring
story includes a photo.
The
Birth of Candon Brise Christy's third
child is born beautifully after a blissful "labor".
Christy found much inspiration for her birth choice
from a friend's unassisted birth she attended
(Christy "caught"), and from BirthLove!
(Yaaaay I'm so glad this site helped you Christy!!
-Leilah)
A
FAMILY BIRTH Sherry gives birth to her
fourth child at home in the water- with everyone
in her family playing a special part. This beautiful,
empowering story includes photos, and much quotable
beauty from Sherry. Including: "I could feel
his tiny nose and lips under the water while his
body was still inside me. I felt under the water,
touching his ears and nose and hair. It was the
wildest feeling... he was kicking inside me, but
his head was outside of my body."
Samantha
Grace's Birth Story Krystyne tells her baby's
story in a stream of consciousness of ethereal
beauty. The sensations and emotions of the birth,
and life, are translated perfectly in her flowing
words. Krystyne describes her birth- "John,
my strong man is holding me in tender places as
I start to feel the ring of fire encompass me.
The water pours on me, I pretend I am swaying
in the rain, feeling grass in my hands."
Krystyne has me (site editor Leilah) in tears!
Note that Krystyne's midwife didn't make it in
time for the birth, and that the birth strengthened
and enriched her and her husband's beautiful love.
Gregory's
Euphoric Birth Leslie had four hospital births,
one midwife-attended homebirth, then her unassisted
birth. She shares her son's sacred birth in detail;
including- how her husband went from unassisted
birth-fearful to never wanting to give birth another
way, and how her friend's presence, while welcome,
hindered her natural birth process.
Alia
May's Unassisted Birth Story Andreya
shares her second child's birth story with honesty
and love. Her first child was born at home with
a midwife; Andreya loved the freedom that unassisted
birth provided, though she did have the temptation
to transfer to the hospital. The temptation was
gone when she realized how much would be lost.
Includes photos.
By Kimberley Hudson
- The
Birth of Aquene' Nyirah-Moon Kim's eighth
baby is born at home in the water. This birth
was very challenging for Kim- in no small part
due to her small stature (she is 5'2) and her
large baby (9lbs!). Includes sweet photos.
- My Voyage
to Unassisted Homebirth Kim shares her hospital
birth stories (including cesarean and drugged
and induced births), and then her powerful unassisted
home waterbirth. A must-read that includes beautiful
photos.
My First
Homebirth and Unassisted Birth- The Birth of Maegera
Jade Lacey's fourth child is born in joy at
home. Noteworthy: the baby slept through her birth
(it was so peaceful- why wake up?), and Lacey
shares her husband's path through their births-
from "yes man" to making a sign in their
third birth that read "NO TALKING DURING
CONTRACTIONS!" (way to go Matt!) Matt was
beautiful during their homebirth, and intuitively
cared for Lacey. This includes many family photos.
The Birth
of Clemens Hall Papa Mark tells the story
of his and his wife's journey through late pregnancy
and unassisted homebirth at forty-three weeks
gestation. They'd had problems with their BC registered
midwife (she wanted to intervene due to "post
dates"; they didn't want intervention- for
a similar story, go here)
and with much divine suggestion, they came to
the conclusion that unassisted was the way to
go. This includes many sweet photos.
My Journey
to Unassisted Birth Danette has her first
unassisted birth with her fourth child. This includes
much of what she has learned in her path- about
the dangers of routine birth and postpartum procedures,
as well as the body's ability to give birth without
intervention. Danette's story includes her first
birth experience (typical hospital), as well as
many photos of her unassisted home waterbirth.
Cecilia
Elizabeth Herrington's Birth Story Mary is
an OB nurse; her baby was born into her husband's
hands at home with her midwife still on the way.
Throughout her entire labor Mary doubted she was
actually in the birth process; Says Mary- "This
was my first time to experience natural labor
as I had been induced with my son. Even though
I had attended hundreds of women in labor, I wasn't
sure what to expect....I was determined not to
call out the midwives until I was in an established
active labor pattern. I was secretly afraid of
calling them too soon and looking like a fool
when they found me to be only one centimeter...Unresolved
fear is a powerful thing. A mere thirty minutes
before my daughter was born I was still telling
myself that it might all be a false alarm!"
Note how beautiful her husband was throughout
the birth process.
AJ's
Birth Story, As told by his Dad and Mom Shannon
is a doula and childbirth educator, and decided
that a planned homebirth with a midwife and doulas
was the best way to have her second baby. She
however went on to have an unplanned- but very
welcome- unassisted homebirths Says Jim about
seeing his baby being born- "Tears, both
of fear and joy, were streaming down my cheeks.
My mouth and throat were so dry I spoke in squeaks.
I had so much energy flowing through me I thought
my chest was going to burst." Jim caught
his baby in his bathtub.
Asher's
Birth Lynda's first four children all were
born with epidurals; she gave birth to her fifth
baby born on all fours at home. Says Lynda about
herself "I considered myself to be something
of a wimp and not one to be radical at all."
This birth liberated her.
Aurion's
Birth Story Melissa has her second homebirth
with her second child- a surprise unassisted birth
with her husband talking to the midwife on the
phone, then coming to "catch". (Leonard
was ecstatic!). This links to Melissa's other
work on BirthLove.
Last
but Not Least: Jeremy Wilson's Perfect Unassisted
Home Waterbirth Jamie gives birth to her eighth
child, at home in the bathtub, with her husband
and daughter gently attending. This birth was
beautiful and Jamie's most perfect- but still
she is sad, because she won't have babies again.
This story includes many amazing photos that document
the baby's first minutes and days, and links to
all of Jamie's other stories on BirthLove. Interesting
to note about Jamie: she is a VBAC mom and is
GBS+, and her last two children were born GBS
free due to Jamie's ingestion of colloidal silver
in her pregnancies.
Cecilia's Birth
"Our birth story doesn't take long to
tell- as it was such a speedy surprise delivery!!
I spent the morning of Tuesday, April 15th,
having short and irregular contractions- Brian
and I decided around 1:30pm to go run some errands
locally in Muswell Hill. It's about a 5-10 minute
bus ride away. I was thinking it would be a
good way to distract myself from these irregular
'early labor' contractions. Around 2pm the contractions
were coming closer together and were getting
more painful but I was still coping with them-
so we finished up our errands and began to make
our way home. I decided against the bumpy, noisy
bus ride and chose instead to walk home with
Brian through Alexander Palace park. The contractions
were intensifying with every step!! A walk that
usually takes 10-15 minutes took us (with all
the stopping to breathe and moan) almost 45
minutes!! All I thought of was 'when we get
home at least I'll be able to rest between these
contractions' and that kept me going.
"At home, I went to run a bath and Brian
went to call the midwife to come for a check-
to see what stage of labor I was in. Haha -
Instead it was us telling them!! My water broke
and that was the, shall we say, turning point
in this labor!! The midwifery HQ paged our midwife
and before she had rung back- our little girl
was delivered, right into her dad's excited
but steady hands!!" -Mary
Herrington, OB nurse.
Philip's
Peaceful, Perfect Birth Serena lives in Bejing,
China and decided that an unassisted birth would
be safer than a medically managed one in the hospital.
She went on to have a smooth, simple birth where
she didn't consciously push. Says Serena- "I
never had an urge to push, so I never did. My
uterus was pushing, but I wasn't... I was just
breathing. It is hard to imagine a medically attended
birth where the mom isn't urged to give it all
she's got with the pushing... so I am glad I was
alone to follow my instincts!" Includes a
photo.
Stephen's
Birth Story Vivian
shares her third child's waterbirth story (third
homebirth, first unassisted birth) with touching
humor and great love. Noteworthy: her early labor
lasted for many days, her baby turned out of a
breech position shortly before birth, and she
includes her adventures with tying and clamping
her baby's cord. This links to Vivian's other
stories on BirthLove, and includes photos.
Liam's
Glorious Birth After two hospital births that
left Jesse's soul scarred, she experiences a powerful,
righteous and beautifully gentle birth that has
set her spirit soaring. Such pride and joy she
feels! This links to Jesse's other two birth stories,
and the pregnancy journal she kept with Liam.
Includes baby pictures.
Beatrice Jasper's Birth Stories Stunningly
beautiful photos and candid, intimate text illustrate
both of Beatrice's birth story pages. Beatrice,
the creator of the Breast&Belly
site, loves to give birth surrounded by her family,
and "catches" her babies in her own
hands as well.
Unassisted homebirth- "THE coolest, most
wonderfully gratifying thing"
"He was born on a Tuesday, after a long
day of running errands, and a neighborhood traffic
meeting (that I walked to at a nearby elementary
school just hours before he was born!). I had
NO contractions that evening, but had been having
them for 2 days before. My midwife expected
me to go fast, this one being my 3rd, and she
was 40+ min. away. The plan was for me to call
her as soon as my water broke, or contractions
got serious. I called her at 9:40 and she was
on her way. My doula lives about 4 houses away,
so she was here in no time. My husband was home,
as well as my other 2 kids, asleep for the night
(or so they thought).
"About 10 minutes after my water broke,
I had a contraction, and it was a doozy! I knew
I was close, so we called the midwife to let
her know she needed to hurry. I got in the shower,
and it felt so good I wanted a bath. So I ran
my bath and got in and immediately started to
push. I was unbelievably calm and relaxed still:).
Then I reached down and could feel his head.
I pushed again and his head was out. I instinctually
felt for his face and neck to check for a cord
around the neck-none-yeah! So I pushed again,
and pulled him out and put him on my chest.
We were in a nice warm bath so we were both
warm and clean. He was born at 10:38, just shy
of an hour, start to finish!
"My husband woke up the kids, my midwife
got here and weighed my 8 pounder, and we all
went to sleep in our big bed that night. It
was by far THE coolest, most wonderfully gratifying
thing I have ever done. I wish I had the knowledge
of homebirth when I had my other kids. I have
made it my mission to make families more aware
of this option.
"And now, not quite 3 months after his
birth, he is SO happy and healthy, and most
of all chilled out. No strange places, people,
noises. No bright lights or needles. He has
only experienced peace and calm, so that is
what he knows.
"Now the trick is to try and keep it that
way in this wild, wild world."
Peace Out-
Neali
DeSantis Staley
An
Angel is Born! Karen gives unassisted lotus
birth to her second child at home. This is baby
Gabrielle's birth announcement, and includes a
picture (such a healthy-looking baby!).
The
Births of my Beautiful Daughters Bernice has
run the "gamut" of birth experiences;
from a hospital birth where she was drugged without
an iota of informed consent (and against her stated
wishes), to a home waterbirth with gentle midwives
attending. With her third birth she trusted in
her body and beautiful birth- and went on to have
a painless, ecstatic and remarkably quick home
waterbirth. This includes lovely photos, and a
bit about how this birth revolutionized her husband.
from Ciara's
Waterbirth
My
Journey to Freebirth This online book by Jennifer
Brotherton details her passages through birth,
and how she (finally) came to the freebirth choice.
Jeremiah's
UNASSISTED Birth Cathi has her first unassisted
birth with her third child. This page includes
her hospital birth and midwife-attended homebirth
stories as well.
Gabriel
Leigh's Birth Pictures and story of a
dear little boy born at home in the water, who
had a true knot in his umbilical cord.
My Unassisted
Birth Story Jenny Hatch shares her birth story-
in all its faith, power and love. This includes
how her water broke three days before her birth,
and how happy her husband was after the birth-
he literally jumped for joy!
My
Leap of Faith Sickened by the consistently
shabby, impersonal care received her "her"
OBs, Kari decides to take her care into her own
hands at 36 weeks pregnant with her fourth child.
She went on to have the unassisted birth of her
dreams.
Jenny
Hatch wrote about her plans to give birth
unassisted in her pregnancy journal. Read especially:
Jenny's
Journal three and a half weeks After
her unassisted homebirth, Jenny shares insights
into her birth- and makes an astounding parallel
about Christ's birth: if he were intended to be
born in a fancy palace with all the doctors and
midwives available, if that were the truly best
way for a child to be born- he would have been.
But it was determined that he be born at home,
surrounded by "inexperienced attendants"
and humility... the most profound way to give
birth. Includes a photo.
Tammy Russell's Birth Stories:
- Birth
of Jade Tammy gives birth to her third child
at home in Spain; but ends up transferring to
the military hospital due to a tear, and blood
loss. A memorable moment from the hospital-
"Breakfast came about 7:30, so I sat on
Earls bed and shared it. Cleaning lady
came in and looked at us funny. Im sitting
dressed on the bed, feeding naked man with baby
in bed in the OB ward. Never forget her face."
- Birth
of Harley Serene and beautiful, Harley was
born in the caul on a blue moon.
Heather Zanon's Birth Stories
- Ayden's
Birth Story In Heather's first unassisted
birth, she found remarkable growth and power,
as well as more pain and drama than she expected.
Note that Heather is a midwife. Includes a photo.
- Olivia
Rain's Birth Story Heather tells this story
in a labor journal with moment-by-moment updates;
a riveting read for a beautiful birth. Includes
photos.
Bowen's
Beautiful Birth Cate has her first unassisted
pregnancy and birth with her fifth child; her
autonomy taught her so much about self-reliance,
and the beauty of preventative living. Included
in her story: how challenging it was to get through
the latter stages of the birth, and how she caught
her baby boy in her waterbirth. Includes photos.
The
Birth of Will Amber's third child was born
in the water, with her sisters and husband attending.
The birth, and after, was a time of joy and sweetness
for her whole family.
Rory's Birth
Story Rory was born after a more painful labor
than Jennie anticipated; she was born "sunnyside
up". Jennie was dying her hair to amuse and
distract herself from her back pain. Includes
photos.
Birth
Beauty Silver's birth was lovely and intimate.
Her baby had a true knot in the umbilical cord;
her instincts told her that her baby must be born
quickly.
Isabel
Blue's Beautiful Birth It was just Keara and
her little son welcoming Isabel into the world-
and what a beautiful, holy birth it was. Note
that Keara's placenta didn't come for 8 hours,
and all was fine.
Freedom Triumph's Pregnancy and Birth Story
Kimberly was in incredible contact with this child
from conception on. She gave birth in joyful,
loving solitude.
Orion's
Birth Orion was born into his father's hands,
just as his mother Kristi had planned it. Note
that Kristi's unassisted birth and tandem nursing
made the transition into big sisterhood a lot
easier for her daughter. (Morgaine's birth story
is on this site as well, and is linked from this
page.)
Jaelyn's
Birth Story Jaelyn had meconium staining in
her birth- Mommy Sara learned that this was really
no big deal at all. Sara also learned how sweet
it is to be free, safe and in love in birth.
Joseph
Robert's Powerful Birth Karen's third child
was born unassisted at home, with her loving husband
and sister in attendance. Her first two births
were needlessly dangerous and traumatic due to
medical negligence and interventions.
from Eudora
May's Birth
Johan's Birth Elizabeth
catches Johan, her second child, lovingly into
her own hands at home in Finland. This beautiful
story includes photos.
Gabrielle's
Birth Intense, beautiful, unique, soul-enriching-
all these words describe Gabrielle's sweet descent
into the world. Gabrielle was born gently into
her Daddy's hands at home in the bathtub. This
includes photos.
My
Second Baby's Pregnancy and Birth Story Kimberly
listened intently to God during her pregnancy
to discover how she was intended to give birth-
and went on to have a radiant, sacred unassisted
homebirth. This story is a joy to read as her
path to power unfolds.
Andrew's
Birth Jenny gave birth unassisted at home
after a healthy 45 week pregnancy. She encountered
problems though after a less-than optimal pregnancy
diet, and when she took some black and blue cohosh
to "get things going"- on the poor advice
of a chiropractor.
Kelley's
Beautiful Birth Judy gave birth to her fourth
child unassisted at home, with her husband in
the watertub behind her. After three traumatic
hospital births, this was exactly the birth Judy
needed to really know what birth is supposed to
feel like, and mean. This story includes photos.
Daphne
Kate's Unassisted Homebirth Amanda gives birth
to her second baby victoriously at home, but transfers
to the hospital for a retained placenta- a decision
she went on to regret.
The
Birth of Skye Valentine Simple, holy, intact,
precious- these words describe Jessica's third
birth. Includes a link to her first stories.
Birth Story
Diane transported just before birth- but she still
considers her birth to be "unassisted"
in many ways. Included: how stimulating her clitoris
kept the birth sensations "sensations"
and not painful contractions, and her amusing
interactions with the paramedics and hospital
staff.
Ursula's
Waterbirth Ursula was born into the tub with
only her mother, father, brother and the doula
attending. This story is wonderful- so honestly
told, and reassuring about how peaceful and happy
giving birth can be.
Maias
Birth- A Family Celebration This is the birth
story of the fourth child born to an Australian
doctor. Maia was born feet first in the water
at home, with only her loving, reverent family
welcoming her. Includes mention of Maia's lotus
birth, and her mother's peaceful postpartum experience.
Sophie's
Birth Story Davetta finds intense beauty and
spirituality as she gives birth to her second
child at home, with the loving, unobtrusive help
of her husband. Includes a photo.
from Sophie's
Birth Story
Seth's
Birth Story A mother gives birth to her tenth
child unassisted at home. This story is very descriptive
of the birth process, and includes pictures.
Vladimir's Beautiful
Birth Christina gives birth in sacred joy
at home. This page includes pictures; including
of Christina catching her baby in the bathtub.
Ciara's
Waterbirth Rachel had a glorious unassisted
waterbirth with her third child. Includes pictures,
a link to her husband's version of the birth story,
and link to her first two children's hospital
birth stories.
Hannah's
Birth Jennifer's unassisted birth story. Says
Jenn about that special day-
"When I became pregnant with my third
child, my husband knew UC was my only
option. He knew that I would rather DIE
than go to a hospital to deliver a baby... and
guess what?- he was scared, but it was
the most beautiful moment of our married lives
when she was born.
"It was just me and him in the room, no
one else... it was dark, only lit by a small
nightlight... he touched me intimately, we needed
no words, it was magical... and then I climbed
into a tub of water and had her, easily, no
problems..."
To read more of Jennifer's birth stories, go
here.
Ella
Mae's Birth Story This story is sweet and
touching. Ella was born at 43 weeks gestation,
in peace and beauty, unassisted at home. Note
that she was 11 lbs at birth, and that her placenta
took three hours to be born.
The
Birth of Willow
Sophia Linda Hessel retells the story of her
child's birth with honesty and artistry. She vividly
describes her thought processes, and how she was
feeling through every part of her labor and birth.
Note that Linda discovered she needed intense
privacy to give birth. Includes photos.
Mariah's
Birth Story Tammy gives birth in power, sanctity
and freedom after 5 hospital birth experiences.
Very inspiring story.
Savannah's
Birth Story Diana describes her unassisted
lotus birth the day after her baby is born. Photos
added 8/24/01
Pam's Healing
Unassisted Waterbirth After having two babies
born prematurely and painfully in the hospital,
Pam gives glorious birth to her son at home in
a watertub. Pam found so much healing in this
birth...
Nature is
Perfect . . . Dawn Sweeney shares her amazing,
simple, and pure unassisted birth. Included: how
it took 2 hours for her placenta to get born,
how she didn't want her husband's touch or talking
in the birth process (she caught the baby herself),
and how her little daughter made her laugh in
her labor- which made things progress even faster!
Jack's
Birth Story Lori so beautifully and graciously
shares her story and pictures from her unassisted
homebirth. This is an off-site link.
Third Time
Is The Charm Jill's third birth was an unassisted
homebirth- a sweet family birth. For Jill's first
two birth stories, go here.
Anissa's
Birth Story Poppy tells the story of her daughter's
birth- how she believed and trusted in God to
deliver her baby to her safely. Note that her
husband was amazing in the birth.
Liam's
Birth Liam was born unassisted at home, before
the midwives showed up.
Gabriel's
Glorious Birth A mother finds bliss and power
through unassisted homebirth, with the gentle
help of a doula.
Sariah's
Beautiful, Free, Perfect-For-Her Birth Jennifer
shares the details of her Sariah's unassisted
home waterbirth- how the children were involved,
how her body knew exactly what to do, and how
this birth transformed her husband. Says Jennifer-
"I believe now VERY strongly, that all men
need to go through unassisted birth with their
children to fulfill their true measure as men.
They have been robbed of this heavenly experience
due to the crazy messed up medical profession,
and it is wrong!!!"
Noble Lanes
Unassisted Homebirth A sweet family birth.
Marley's
Birth Lauren's first child's birth was a hospital
nightmare, then she had 3 girls at home with midwives.
Then with her son Marley in May 2001, Lauren had
a luscious, victorious solo home waterbirth. This
page includes a link to photos of her family.
A Goddess of Birth Emerges Victorious: The
Birth Stories of Janet Stone View
page here. Her first two births were hospital
nightmares, then Janet walked out of the hospital
during the labor of her third child- and had an
amazing unassisted birth.
Making
Frances (Including Some Benefits of
Unassisted Childbirth). Josephine Joyner
so graciously and beautifully shares her unassisted
birth story, in both pictures and words. She also
discusses how the spiritual link between mom and
baby ensures the safety of unassisted birth. Note
that this is an outside link. (Note: this and
other unassisted homebirths can be seen on video
in A
Clear Road to Birth.)
The
Perfect Birth Jessica Rogers generously shares
her beautifully-written, luscious fantasy birth
story. When I first read this, I was in tears!
Read about Jessica's first births here.
Val putting together the NN2
when her ninth child was only a few days old!
Unassisted birth stories from
New Nativity 2
New Nativity 2 is a newsletter celebrating
joyful unassisted homebirth, and births given
freely. For more information about the New Nativity
2, contact Valarie
Nordstrom. Following are excerpts:
First, from newsletter editor Valarie Nordstrom:
Birthing
in Peace In the first edition of the newsletter,
Valarie shares her own hospital birth experiences,
and what prompted her own journey into unassisted
homebirth.
Maria's
Birth Valarie shares her stories about her
miscarriages, and her ecstatic unassisted birth
with her sixth child. (Valarie has eight children-
four boys, and four girls.)
The
Birth of James Evan Valarie's sweet birth
story of her son James, her seventh child. Both
James' and Maria's stories include updates that
were written long after the original birth stories.
A Letter
from Valarie about Kari In this luscious,
sweet letter to a friend, Valarie describes
her joy and wonder at her eighth child- and
the miraculous fact that out of love comes children
(note that this is not a magazine excerpt).
Birth Stories from the New Nativity 2
My
Many Blessings In this twin homebirth story,
Melissa's first baby is born unassisted, her
second with a midwife attending.
The Story
of Kishkalena's Birth April gives birth
three weeks past her "due date" unassisted
at home with her husband and little son in attendance.
A very honestly and sweetly told story.
The
Story of Lilys Birth April gives birth
more painfully than she anticipated to her third
child. She was happy to have caught her own
baby this time.
Our
Autumn Blessing Patty gives birth to her
7th child unassisted at home, at age 44 and
after four sad miscarriages. Includes a family
picture.
The
Unassisted Homebirth of Christian William Hamilton
Included: how Christian was born at 36 weeks
gestation, how beautiful the father was at the
birth- and so very much more.
Birth Stories
and Other Thoughts A former midwife talks
about the births of her four children (including
3 homebirths; two unassisted), her husband's
journey through their pregnancies, and why "couples"
birth is best for the family.
The Birth
of Jacob Byron Hildebrand An unassisted
birth story that shows women can decide for
themselves when it's the right time to push
their babies out.
Amrin's
Birth A hospital birth story by Beth Mathews.
Beth talks more about this birth in the article
below.
Discussion
of UC transport - planned unassisted births
(UCs) taking place in the hospital, from the
May, 2000 issue.
The
Birth of Justice Ely by Denice Westphal.
This birth story talks about so much- including
how birth can help heal a marriage, and about
how satisfying giving birth can feel. This story
is a must-read.
from Albion
Wilhelm Jasper's Birth
Articles, Letters and Quotes
about Unassisted Birth
By LLM:
Women
fearful of 'war zone' treatment have babies alone
An English newspaper article about a woman who
chose to give birth alone, in an effort to avoid
the dangers of medicalized birth. Not exactly
pro-UC, but still a step in the right direction.
Letters
to "Health" about Unassisted Childbirth
Laura Shanley and LLM share their
thoughts about a magazine article that is rather
"expert heavy" in its focus. Laura's
letter brilliantly cuts through a study cited
that is supposed to malign homebirth safety, and
includes a repsonse by Gloria Lemay. .
To
the Powell River Peak about Childbirth Bernice
responds to a nurse who states that birth is so
dangerous that without medical attendants babies
and women routinely die.
Dangers
of unassisted homebirth are unproven A letter
to Midwifery Today magazine by UC mother Rachel
Westfall that illustrates the importance of citing
good literature when speaking about unassisted
homebirth.
What the
Unassisted Birth Movement Teaches Midwives
Midwife Gail Hart talks about why women are choosing
unassisted births, and how their choice should
"shake midwives up" to see how their
style of management can be just as fear-provoking
as OBs'.
Awaiting her birth with pure joy
"I have thought about this birth since
Emma was born twenty seven months ago. I find
that as soon as I have a baby out I want to
be pregnant again. I miss it when I am not pregnant.
I feel so powerful when I am carrying a baby.
Then I give birth and I am ready to analyze
the birth and think about the next one.
"Only when I had Emma, I finally had an
epiphany. I realized that I could birth alone!!!
I realized that other women birthed alone. Not
only did they birth alone but they did it on
purpose! Can you believe it? I had no idea!
The only problem with wanting to birth alone
is that everyone else thinks you are insane!
They fear you and they think you are going to
kill your baby by not buying into the medical
communities idea of birth.
"When I hear other women talk about birth,
it breaks my heart. I hear them laugh and joke
and sneer about what has been done to their
bodies and their babies. I never hear about
what might have been. I wonder if their hearts
still yearn for a peaceful and gentle birth?
I wonder if they even know what they are missing.
I wonder if they feel ripped off as I have with
two homebirths that were attended. I wonder
if they want more from their births but because
everyone else laughs and jokes and sneers they
are afraid to yearn out loud.
"This time will be different. This time
I will have the birth I dream of. I dream often
that it will be peaceful and gentle and it will
feel good. I picture the actual birth in many
different ways. Sometimes I am in our new jacuzzi
we bought for the birth. Sometimes I am in our
bed and it is dark and quiet and no one even
knows the baby has come until I wake them. Sometimes
I am all alone. Sometimes my husband is there
holding me and telling me how great I am doing.
Sometimes I worry that my two year old will
wake up and not go back to sleep and then I
will have to deal with her there too.
"The one worry that keeps me up at night
is that everything will be perfect. I worry
that it will take my breath away. I worry that
I will have an ecstactic painfree birth. That
it will be so good that I will be unable to
listen to those women who sneer and joke and
laugh about their births. I would be unable
to say nothing. Yet to risk their ridicule is
painful also.
"So I just continue on through this pregnancy
feeling so normal that I actually forget I am
pregnant. The baby moves alot but inspite of
that I manage to forget that I am pregnant.
I think this is from the fact that there is
no fear with this pregnancy. I am SO looking
forward to this experience however it comes
to me. This birth will be a product of my love
for my husband and children. This birth is the
culmination of all of my experiences and expectations
so far with birth. This birth will be the beginning
of new phase for our family. I await this birth
with pure joy!"
God bless, Vivian
wife to my darling hubby Randy
unschooling Mom to 3 happy little monkeys Austin,
Sarah
and Emma
the 4th monkey due to UC 03/03
Why
Some Women Don't Want Midwives at Their Births
This article by Laura Shanley appeared in
Midwifery Today magazine, and contains the unassisted
birth journeys of several women, as well as her
own.
Shifting
the Paradigm of "What If" -doing
this can make unassisted birth more possible than
ever before.
How
to Deal with Child Protection Workers in Unassisted
Births and Natural Parenting A police officer
tells of her experiences as a child protection
worker. Her own bottom line- show the social workers,
if they come, what a loving, competent mother
you are, and they will go away- they do
not want to take babies from mothers!
Response added from LLM on 10/13/02
My
Faith and Unassisted Childbirth Annette
talks about how communing with Spirit has helped
her be secure in her decision to give birth to
her fifth child unassisted. This includes links
to all of her other work on BirthLove, including
her VBAC after three cesareans birth story.
A Freedom Chain
of Women BirthLove editor LLM
writes at 38 weeks pregnant about why she chose
to give birth unassisted. Written for Midwifery
Today magazine.
Unassisted
Childbirth- Is it For You? Shel Franco writes
for Pregnancytoday.com about the unassisted birth
choice.
My Choice
to Give Birth Unassisted after my Cesarean
(and I'm glad that I did!) Karen writes about
the decision she made to have an unassisted birth:
why she made it, the challenges she had to face,
the privacy she had to maintain- and how deeply
grateful she is now for making this choice. Included:
her husband's initial reluctance, and how proud
he is of her now.
"My
patient wants an unassisted homebirth!"
A response to this from a medical social worker
illuminates for an OB that it is truly a "woman's
body, a woman's choice". Whether he likes
it or not.
Letter from
Tanya Tanya is dreaming of a holy unassisted
birth; having lived on a farm all of her life,
she knows that mammal birth is best given in privacy
and intactness.
"I had a very powerful experience of oxytocin
as the hormone of love while labouring with
my fourth baby, Maia Rose. As the waves of labour
strengthened, I found myself looking into the
eyes of my beloved, telling him 'I love you,
I love you, I love you
'peaking and subsiding
with each wave. This ecstatic experience has
created more love in my heart, in our relationship
and in our family, and has taught me, in a very
physical way, that giving birth is also making
love." -Sarah Buckley, MD
Unassisted birthing families should get what
they deserve
Comment: "Every single midwife
I have asked about supporting me in an unassisted
birth has told me the same thing. 'Don't call
me- unassisted homebirth couples get what they
deserve.'"
Response: "Yes- women having unassisted
births get what they deserve- ecstasy, safety,
privacy, freedom- babies who never feel latex
or strangers' hands. I love getting what I deserve..."
-LLM
Question: "Should I take herbs to strengthen
and tone my uterus for my planned unassisted birth?"
Response: "I have a big problem
with herbal 'remedies' that assume there is
something inherently wrong with women's bodies-
something that needs 'fixing'; that women need
herbs that are uterine toning, cervix-softening,
labor-enhancing... well- the midwives and docs
largely want to 'fix' us in some way. Now why
do we have to take this same sad mentality into
an unassisted birth? There is nothing wrong
with me, I don't need to be fixed.
You know the best way to have a strong and
healthy uterus? Eat well (lots of protein),
and have lots of orgasms. These things feel
good to do, and support you in your health.
In my opinion all the herbs women 'do' are just
substituting for pregnancy/birth busywork.
The birth process is ancient... belief and
love are what make smooth births happen. Dependence
on herbs to make it all 'right' is unfortunate."
-LLM
Childbirth Comments and Responses, from the
OBCNEWS
A childbirth educator: "WE must
take back birth. WE must own our own choices.
WE must forcefully and confidently say "NO
" to the money hungry 'Birth Machine.'
WE must walk out of a doctor's office who has
a 30% section rate or who insists that episiotomies
are necessary."
Replies LLM: "Easy to
say now, isn't it? When one has actually had a
cesarean, she views things differently. There
is a poison power that overtakes women's minds
and spirits when they are still 'buying' the medical
model. A poison that robs women of free thought,
free will and free choice. The poison has a name-
it is called- 'my baby would have died without
my cesarean'. The doctors shake their scalpels
like death rattles and women gobble up the poisonous
gobbledygook like erudite ambrosia. 'My baby would
have died!'- these are the words that keep women
going back for more. This is not about women 'owning
their choices'- it's about choices being made
out of terror, ignorance and gross coercion. It's
about fear and ignorance being profitable commodities
to OBs."
A pithy quote:
The British maternity system is run by obstetricians
who "withhold and pervert knowledge in order
to maintain public ignorance and delusion."
-British research statistician Marjorie Tew [Safer
childbirth? A critical history of maternity care.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1990.]
Childbirth educator: "WE must become
midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, monitrices,
LLL leaders, lactation consultants, and WE must
lift up our voices and tell ourselves the truth
about who WE are, how WE got here, and where
WE are going."
LLM: "In this crowd
many of us will be heading back for more c-sections,
actually... I have grown very weary of hearing
about interventionist midwives, and LLL leaders
who aren't allowed to talk about birth issues
but only about breastfeeding. And how many doulas
have to bite their tongues in the hospital? What
is the point in becoming an enabler to the 'money
hungry "Birth Machine"'? See A
Discourse Regarding Choice.
Bottom line!- WE must cut the nonsense speak
of intellectualized birth, and just go out and
poop our babies out under trees. WE must learn
to trust ourselves more than attendants- of any
kind. OUR bodies know how to give birth. People's
brains are what interfere with birth. (And the
less human brains around a birth to complicate
it the better.) WE must reclaim our rights to
unassisted birth. Birth is as safe as life gets,
and unassisted birth is for the most part as safe
as birth gets. Better autonomous birth than birth
made into profitable spectacle."
BirthLove Columns with Unassisted
Childbirth Information
- Being
Born Blessed (born in the rain) (8/10/03)
My own dream of birth for myself on a rainy
summer day- being born in the forest in the
rain, with my parents loving me gently into
the world.
- If I
Gave Birth Tonight (7/25/03) A siren call,
and a passionate welcoming- to birth and to
sacredness for women around the world. Excerpted:
"If I were giving birth tonight, I would...
be happy- deeply, joyfully happy- I'm meeting
my baby boy! My baby girl!!! I will be feeling
a thick, spiraling umbilical cord; I will be
smelling sweet fuzzy newborn hair and kissing
vernix-coated skin. I will be hearing a soft
little cry- feeling my baby's first suckle-
looking deeply into birth-wizened eyes, and
falling in love again, for the very first time."
- A Named
Violation and Ecstasy A renaming of processes
and procedures in birth, to take away the bland
enabling that comes along with the use of soft-sounding
names. So the story begins- "Enter Sarah,
a first time mother whose sanctity is crucial,
into the Birthing in Captivity Institution."
She goes on to get three c-sections, but this
ends in Sarah's discovery of freebirth- the
"inviolable releasing of sweet life".
- For Anna:
From the Darkness of Pain, Birth will Emerge
Bright Again (9/25/02) Anna was terribly
hurt in her cesarean; she must know that she
deserves a gentle birth, and that the birth
of her dreams will come true if she uses her
anger and passion as the fuel to generate the
life change needed to make this birth happen.
Included: how my cesarean-born son helped me
in my unassisted homebirth.
- Oddly
Enough, Fear Can Combat Evil (7/1/02) This
discusses my two unassisted birth in great detail;
as well as how my fear of my baby dying in childbirth
helped me have my healthiest pregnancy yet.
- Born as
Free as Life Beyond the River (1/8/02) The
moon, the clouds, my babies- and the splitting
of the mermaid tail that grew into feet and
took me out of the stagnant river of medicalized
birth, and into the warm, lush earth of women
who freely give birth.
- Gentle Death, Ecstatic Sorrow, Warm Hands,
Soft Dark Night... (11/26/01 view
column here) Dreams of birth, dreams of
my living and dead babies talking with each
other- acknowledging and understanding my own
beauty as a pregnant mother.
- Whose
Truth Will You Seek Out? Whose Birth Will You
Choose to Give? (view
column here 11/5/01) A comparison between
two ways a woman can decide to give birth after
a two hour "labor arrest" (as described
in a linked medical journal article): either
medically- or freely.
- Birth Remains
Safe Within Me (8/28/01) Dreams
of birth's glowing future- and happiness that
this future is growing peacefully inside of
me.
- Floating
dreamlike is found the answer to love, to life...
(7/16/01) Deep within pregnant women is elemental
beauty and power: the luscious, vibrant force
of Life. This sacred place is not to be desecrated
by gloved hands with knives. Written in response
to a British Medical Journal article.
- Bliss,
Rape, Love, Hate... what for you is best- in
Birth, and in Sex? (5/21/01) Giving birth
and making love are both beautiful life processes
deserving of the utmost in gentleness and sweetness.
Rape must never be permitted. This was written
in response to the wounding statement- "at
least you have a healthy baby!", and includes
a description of a beautiful unassisted homebirth.
- The Free
Woman's Anti-Chicken Coop Chant (1/8/01)
"Like fences around a chicken coop, obstetrical
labels keep women penned in." A parallel
between captive laying and birthing, and a poetic
invitation to birth freedom.
- Countering the global birth plague with
three simple words (and why birth matters so
very much indeed) (3/5/01 view
column here) Through powerful, sacred birth
women become the women they are intended to
become.
- I Give A Damn (a hippies
love song), and the cradle of our truest love
(2/12/01 view
column here) Isn't it absurd that women
get ridiculed for wanting natural births? And-
have faith, women who love birth... we are making
the world spin forward with our love.
- Asking the
baby how she would like to be born (3/12/01)
Don't ask your doctor, husband, midwife or friends
how you should be giving birth- one little person
has all the answers you can ever need.
- The
True Calling of the Midwife
(6/1/99) This is actually about, in part,
planned, unassisted homebirth.
- Mothers
Can Parent Their Own Lives (Or- "Viva
les Différences!") (2/22/00)
I confront my own "birthism" in this
one. Also- is it truly logical to regulate midwifery?
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