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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 Earl’s bed and shared it. Cleaning lady came in and looked at us funny. I’m 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.

Maia’s 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 Lane’s 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 Lily’s 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.

From "Healing Birth, Healing the Earth"

"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 hippie’s 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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