Re: The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

August 23, 2004

Hi, this story is awesome. However I had my last child by cesarean,her head

was too big. its a trait of my husbands side of the family. How would you know

if something was going wrong? I would have never been able to get the baby

out! My other 3 kids were vaginal births in the hospital. I wish I had been

more informed and educated before I became pregnant. The one thing that people

do not realize is that intense pain scares you so much and I felt " safe " at

the hospital??????????? oh well I can't go back but if I could I would

definitely do things different! love Janet

August 23, 2004

My last baby was unassisted and the one coming this winter is planned to be

as well. I would never do it any other way after that experience:o)

n a message dated 8/23/2004 11:35:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,

medlins@... writes:

> This is from my attatchment parenting group. Thought you might enjoy

> reading the story as I did WOW, I cannot imagine my husband (if I had

> one) doing this with me. This is a beautiful experience and a reminder

> of how a little one should come into the world (no interventions,

> delayed cord cutting etc.) I would love to have an experience like this

> if I ever got pregnant again. My daughters birth was anything but

> easy....Anyway, enjoy the story!

>

> Smiles

> Loni

>

> The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

>

> My husband and I had been planning an unassisted birth since about

> month 6 of my pregnancy. My babies always wait until well past their due

> date to be born and I was looking forward to a birth that would have no

> pressure from outside forces. I really, really, really wanted to know

> what it was like to spontaneously go into labor (both of my previous

> births were induced by castor oil at week 42). I wanted a birth that had

> no time lines or limits, no interventions, no pressure, and no

> spectators.

> In retrospect, I wish I could

> somehow separate the normal euphoria of birth, from the overwhelming

> sense of pride in a birth that was done on my own with just the support

> of my husband. But the emotions are inextricably tied together and the

> birth just seems exactly, rightly, so...So, let me just say this, when I

> was preparing for the birth I visualized my perfect birth plan, but

> reality was much, much, much better. And this is the story: At

> 12:30 am on June 29 (23 days past my due date) I heard a POP! Then a

> gurgle and then a SPLASH and water poured out from between my legs! I

> half yelled " my water broke! " (Quiet, don?t wake the kiddos) He

> looked at me HUH? And then jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen or

> 'the birthing room' as we imagined it and started moving the table and

> chairs out to make room for the pool. I, meanwhile, am floundering on

> the bed with torrents of water gushing out of me. And you know what I'm

> thinking? I'm remembering that I am on the mattress WITHOUT a mattress

> pad. finally comes to the room and sticks his head in to see if I

> need anything? Yes, a towel would be nice.

> While he sets up the birth pool I

> stand in the bathtub for a few minutes, then I sit on the toilet and

> have the first contraction, then two more about 2 minutes apart, then a

> doozy that makes me think that the bathmat looks really comfortable. So

> the next time sticks his head in the door I am lying on the

> bathroom floor. I decide soon after that contraction that in actuality

> the bathmat is a very uncomfortable place, so I head into the kitchen.

> I announce that I am really hungry,

> but talks me into a glass of water and we chat for a minute about

> what a crazy feeling that was to have my water break like that out of

> nowhere! Then I got into the birth pool. It was full about a quarter of

> the way and I told to stop filling because I wanted to be able to

> add warm water as it cooled and I was sure my labor was going to be many

> more hours.

> I sat in the water through about 8

> contractions that were fairly easy. Then I thought I was going to throw

> up, but assured that the desire to hurl cookies was completely

> normal. He gave me a pot. I allowed this sign of impending transition to

> pass without notice because I was so sure that I still had hours left. I

> had a couple more contractions that I vocalized through. Kind of like a

> moose singing: OOOOOOHHOOOOOWOOOOWOOOH like that. asked if I

> should get out of the pool and move about a bit which seemed like a good

> idea.

> I made it into a chair that was

> right by the pool in time for 2 contractions on top of each other that

> got me really howling. wiped off my face because it was incredibly

> hot in that kitchen what with the giant pool of really hot water and all

> the windows being closed (we live in a 750 square foot apartment with

> neighbors all around and it was the middle of summer.) I asked for

> something to drink and experienced the laboring phenomena I had heard

> of, where you are holding a cup and you can't get it to your mouth. I'm

> staring at it and can not bring it closer! I want to drink, but my arm

> will not cooperate! I now realize why bendy straws are included in every

> birth kit, unfortunately there was no time to get one out of the box.

> I asked to set up a nest by

> the couch, still determined to move around to help the baby come,

> without realizing the birth was imminent! While he was arranging things

> I had a couple of massive contractions, and then he helped me to the

> living room 'birth annex'. We paused for another doozy of a contraction,

> and I'm beginning to think that I don't have the capability to withstand

> much more of this, but am still sure that I have 2 more hours at least?

> I sit on my knees by the couch and

> have a contraction that lifts my body into the air and feels almost like

> I'm pushing! My litany of phrases during the contraction totally changed

> from the moose like stuff from before to Oh no Oh NO Oh NO and then Oh

> oh oh oh oh and stuff like that. I have 2 of those before we decide to

> go back to the pool.

> Just in time for another one, Oh no

> Oh no Oh no I am facing the birth pool wall on my knees and lifting up

> with the contractions. There is a pause. Then another contraction in

> which I am totally bearing down. Unmistakably. As soon as that

> contraction stops I tell that I'm pushing. I don't know if this

> was news to him or not, but he got into the pool [which is impressive

> considering that there is...um...poop in there]. The next contraction I

> put my fingers inside myself to check and I feel a little lump which is

> decidedly foreign, could it be head? I tell the baby is coming!

> Another contraction and then tells me that he can feel the head

> too. The next contraction I start to feel the ring of fire, so I add

> that to my litany too, oh no oh no oh o and then owy ow ow it burns oh

> ow oh no, like that. Another one and more of the head and then HEAD!

> announces it, but I already knew. I ask which way it's facing (for

> some reason this late in the game I sti ll need to know the babies

> position.) says its facing him. I feel Relief. I tell not to

> worry, this is the lull, and during the next contraction the shoulders

> will come. But there was one more with no change, and then I said,

> " don't pull! " and said, " I'm not pulling! " so I knew that the baby

> was turning and VOILA! I felt a little body squirm around inside of me

> and then with a push, out slid Gwyneth. caught and then I turned

> around and he put her right into my lap, pale and still for about a

> second and then a little cough splutter and then a hearty cry! Yes!

> It was 3:00 am.

> We decided we best get out of the

> pool which quickly became less miracle water and more of a cess pool as

> the minutes passed. We were exhilarated and goofy psyched with giant

> smiles on our faces. I moved over to the couch nest in the 'birth annex'

> and when went to the bedroom to get more blankets for Gwyneth he

> saw my eldest daughter Isobel sitting up in bed. She claims to have

> heard the baby crying. (I want to remind you that our apartment is 750

> square feet and neither daughter heard me carrying on! What is up with

> that?)

> Isobel came to pay her respects

> first, then went back to wake up Fiona, they all gathered around in time

> for me to expel the placenta with a lovely plooping sound. tied

> the cord with 3 pieces of braided embroidery thread, so that Gwyneth's

> stump looked all festive like a little party and then we cut the cord

> (about 45 minutes after the birth). She had remained gurgly for a little

> while, but once the placenta was out I put her feet a bit higher than

> her head, and after about a minute she sneezed out a bunch of snotty

> stuff and that was that.

> We all shared a big breakfast and

> then went to our bed which was now a little less roomy with our new

> addition and fell into a well deserved sleep.

>

August 23, 2004

In a message dated 8/23/2004 1:02:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

hjjdherring@... writes:

>

> When you guys say unassisted, do you mean totally unassisted...no midwife? I

> would love to do this, but dh is so scared.

>

> Donna

> Homeschooling mom to 3

>

Right:o) No midwife. To me it also means no doula or well-meaning friends

trying to " help " - just my husband and I . We had someone to watch our other

children downstairs who had nothing to do with the birth.

Different people have different definitions of what unassisted means. Some

women go totally solo even without their partner.

As far as " what if something goes wrong? " . It's the same story with birth as

vaccines. What causes 98% of all complications? The hospital! All those

interventions they do " just in case " cause innumerable unnecessary c sections,

sick and disabled babies, and infant and maternal death. In the US, our infant

mortality rate is sickening, but we have the highest intervention rate

anywhere- second only to Brazil. Go figure.

Janet-

I'm not trying to judge, just wondering, did you try squatting?

August 23, 2004

I LOVE IT!!!!!

Kimberley

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

This is from my attatchment parenting group. Thought you might enjoy

reading the story as I did WOW, I cannot imagine my husband (if I had

one) doing this with me. This is a beautiful experience and a reminder

of how a little one should come into the world (no interventions,

delayed cord cutting etc.) I would love to have an experience like this

if I ever got pregnant again. My daughters birth was anything but

easy....Anyway, enjoy the story!

Smiles

Loni

The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

My husband and I had been planning an unassisted birth since about

month 6 of my pregnancy. My babies always wait until well past their due

date to be born and I was looking forward to a birth that would have no

pressure from outside forces. I really, really, really wanted to know

what it was like to spontaneously go into labor (both of my previous

births were induced by castor oil at week 42). I wanted a birth that had

no time lines or limits, no interventions, no pressure, and no

spectators.

In retrospect, I wish I could

somehow separate the normal euphoria of birth, from the overwhelming

sense of pride in a birth that was done on my own with just the support

of my husband. But the emotions are inextricably tied together and the

birth just seems exactly, rightly, so...So, let me just say this, when I

was preparing for the birth I visualized my perfect birth plan, but

reality was much, much, much better. And this is the story: At

12:30 am on June 29 (23 days past my due date) I heard a POP! Then a

gurgle and then a SPLASH and water poured out from between my legs! I

half yelled " my water broke! " (Quiet, don?t wake the kiddos) He

looked at me HUH? And then jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen or

'the birthing room' as we imagined it and started moving the table and

chairs out to make room for the pool. I, meanwhile, am floundering on

the bed with torrents of water gushing out of me. And you know what I'm

thinking? I'm remembering that I am on the mattress WITHOUT a mattress

pad. finally comes to the room and sticks his head in to see if I

need anything? Yes, a towel would be nice.

While he sets up the birth pool I

stand in the bathtub for a few minutes, then I sit on the toilet and

have the first contraction, then two more about 2 minutes apart, then a

doozy that makes me think that the bathmat looks really comfortable. So

the next time sticks his head in the door I am lying on the

bathroom floor. I decide soon after that contraction that in actuality

the bathmat is a very uncomfortable place, so I head into the kitchen.

I announce that I am really hungry,

but talks me into a glass of water and we chat for a minute about

what a crazy feeling that was to have my water break like that out of

nowhere! Then I got into the birth pool. It was full about a quarter of

the way and I told to stop filling because I wanted to be able to

add warm water as it cooled and I was sure my labor was going to be many

more hours.

I sat in the water through about 8

contractions that were fairly easy. Then I thought I was going to throw

up, but assured that the desire to hurl cookies was completely

normal. He gave me a pot. I allowed this sign of impending transition to

pass without notice because I was so sure that I still had hours left. I

had a couple more contractions that I vocalized through. Kind of like a

moose singing: OOOOOOHHOOOOOWOOOOWOOOH like that. asked if I

should get out of the pool and move about a bit which seemed like a good

idea.

I made it into a chair that was

right by the pool in time for 2 contractions on top of each other that

got me really howling. wiped off my face because it was incredibly

hot in that kitchen what with the giant pool of really hot water and all

the windows being closed (we live in a 750 square foot apartment with

neighbors all around and it was the middle of summer.) I asked for

something to drink and experienced the laboring phenomena I had heard

of, where you are holding a cup and you can't get it to your mouth. I'm

staring at it and can not bring it closer! I want to drink, but my arm

will not cooperate! I now realize why bendy straws are included in every

birth kit, unfortunately there was no time to get one out of the box.

I asked to set up a nest by

the couch, still determined to move around to help the baby come,

without realizing the birth was imminent! While he was arranging things

I had a couple of massive contractions, and then he helped me to the

living room 'birth annex'. We paused for another doozy of a contraction,

and I'm beginning to think that I don't have the capability to withstand

much more of this, but am still sure that I have 2 more hours at least?

I sit on my knees by the couch and

have a contraction that lifts my body into the air and feels almost like

I'm pushing! My litany of phrases during the contraction totally changed

from the moose like stuff from before to Oh no Oh NO Oh NO and then Oh

oh oh oh oh and stuff like that. I have 2 of those before we decide to

go back to the pool.

Just in time for another one, Oh no

Oh no Oh no I am facing the birth pool wall on my knees and lifting up

with the contractions. There is a pause. Then another contraction in

which I am totally bearing down. Unmistakably. As soon as that

contraction stops I tell that I'm pushing. I don't know if this

was news to him or not, but he got into the pool [which is impressive

considering that there is...um...poop in there]. The next contraction I

put my fingers inside myself to check and I feel a little lump which is

decidedly foreign, could it be head? I tell the baby is coming!

Another contraction and then tells me that he can feel the head

too. The next contraction I start to feel the ring of fire, so I add

that to my litany too, oh no oh no oh o and then owy ow ow it burns oh

ow oh no, like that. Another one and more of the head and then HEAD!

announces it, but I already knew. I ask which way it's facing (for

some reason this late in the game I sti ll need to know the babies

position.) says its facing him. I feel Relief. I tell not to

worry, this is the lull, and during the next contraction the shoulders

will come. But there was one more with no change, and then I said,

" don't pull! " and said, " I'm not pulling! " so I knew that the baby

was turning and VOILA! I felt a little body squirm around inside of me

and then with a push, out slid Gwyneth. caught and then I turned

around and he put her right into my lap, pale and still for about a

second and then a little cough splutter and then a hearty cry! Yes!

It was 3:00 am.

We decided we best get out of the

pool which quickly became less miracle water and more of a cess pool as

the minutes passed. We were exhilarated and goofy psyched with giant

smiles on our faces. I moved over to the couch nest in the 'birth annex'

and when went to the bedroom to get more blankets for Gwyneth he

saw my eldest daughter Isobel sitting up in bed. She claims to have

heard the baby crying. (I want to remind you that our apartment is 750

square feet and neither daughter heard me carrying on! What is up with

that?)

Isobel came to pay her respects

first, then went back to wake up Fiona, they all gathered around in time

for me to expel the placenta with a lovely plooping sound. tied

the cord with 3 pieces of braided embroidery thread, so that Gwyneth's

stump looked all festive like a little party and then we cut the cord

(about 45 minutes after the birth). She had remained gurgly for a little

while, but once the placenta was out I put her feet a bit higher than

her head, and after about a minute she sneezed out a bunch of snotty

stuff and that was that.

We all shared a big breakfast and

then went to our bed which was now a little less roomy with our new

addition and fell into a well deserved sleep.

August 23, 2004

When you guys say unassisted, do you mean totally unassisted...no midwife? I

would love to do this, but dh is so scared.

Donna

Homeschooling mom to 3

Hunter (6), (5), and Abigail (born still 6/12/04, waiting on us to

return HOME)

I tried to never let my schooling interfere with my education.

Mark Twain

Re: The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

> My last baby was unassisted and the one coming this winter is planned to

be

> as well. I would never do it any other way after that experience:o)

>

> n a message dated 8/23/2004 11:35:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> medlins@... writes:

>

> > This is from my attatchment parenting group. Thought you might enjoy

> > reading the story as I did WOW, I cannot imagine my husband (if I

had

> > one) doing this with me. This is a beautiful experience and a reminder

> > of how a little one should come into the world (no interventions,

> > delayed cord cutting etc.) I would love to have an experience like this

> > if I ever got pregnant again. My daughters birth was anything but

> > easy....Anyway, enjoy the story!

> >

> > Smiles

> > Loni

> >

> > The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

> >

> > My husband and I had been planning an unassisted birth since

about

> > month 6 of my pregnancy. My babies always wait until well past their

due

> > date to be born and I was looking forward to a birth that would have no

> > pressure from outside forces. I really, really, really wanted to know

> > what it was like to spontaneously go into labor (both of my previous

> > births were induced by castor oil at week 42). I wanted a birth that

had

> > no time lines or limits, no interventions, no pressure, and no

> > spectators.

> > In retrospect, I wish I could

> > somehow separate the normal euphoria of birth, from the overwhelming

> > sense of pride in a birth that was done on my own with just the support

> > of my husband. But the emotions are inextricably tied together and the

> > birth just seems exactly, rightly, so...So, let me just say this, when

I

> > was preparing for the birth I visualized my perfect birth plan, but

> > reality was much, much, much better. And this is the story: At

> > 12:30 am on June 29 (23 days past my due date) I heard a POP! Then a

> > gurgle and then a SPLASH and water poured out from between my legs! I

> > half yelled " my water broke! " (Quiet, don?t wake the kiddos) He

> > looked at me HUH? And then jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen

or

> > 'the birthing room' as we imagined it and started moving the table and

> > chairs out to make room for the pool. I, meanwhile, am floundering on

> > the bed with torrents of water gushing out of me. And you know what I'm

> > thinking? I'm remembering that I am on the mattress WITHOUT a mattress

> > pad. finally comes to the room and sticks his head in to see if I

> > need anything? Yes, a towel would be nice.

> > While he sets up the birth pool I

> > stand in the bathtub for a few minutes, then I sit on the toilet and

> > have the first contraction, then two more about 2 minutes apart, then a

> > doozy that makes me think that the bathmat looks really comfortable. So

> > the next time sticks his head in the door I am lying on the

> > bathroom floor. I decide soon after that contraction that in actuality

> > the bathmat is a very uncomfortable place, so I head into the kitchen.

> > I announce that I am really hungry,

> > but talks me into a glass of water and we chat for a minute about

> > what a crazy feeling that was to have my water break like that out of

> > nowhere! Then I got into the birth pool. It was full about a quarter of

> > the way and I told to stop filling because I wanted to be able to

> > add warm water as it cooled and I was sure my labor was going to be

many

> > more hours.

> > I sat in the water through about 8

> > contractions that were fairly easy. Then I thought I was going to throw

> > up, but assured that the desire to hurl cookies was completely

> > normal. He gave me a pot. I allowed this sign of impending transition

to

> > pass without notice because I was so sure that I still had hours left.

I

> > had a couple more contractions that I vocalized through. Kind of like a

> > moose singing: OOOOOOHHOOOOOWOOOOWOOOH like that. asked if I

> > should get out of the pool and move about a bit which seemed like a

good

> > idea.

> > I made it into a chair that was

> > right by the pool in time for 2 contractions on top of each other that

> > got me really howling. wiped off my face because it was

incredibly

> > hot in that kitchen what with the giant pool of really hot water and

all

> > the windows being closed (we live in a 750 square foot apartment with

> > neighbors all around and it was the middle of summer.) I asked for

> > something to drink and experienced the laboring phenomena I had heard

> > of, where you are holding a cup and you can't get it to your mouth. I'm

> > staring at it and can not bring it closer! I want to drink, but my arm

> > will not cooperate! I now realize why bendy straws are included in

every

> > birth kit, unfortunately there was no time to get one out of the box.

> > I asked to set up a nest by

> > the couch, still determined to move around to help the baby come,

> > without realizing the birth was imminent! While he was arranging things

> > I had a couple of massive contractions, and then he helped me to the

> > living room 'birth annex'. We paused for another doozy of a

contraction,

> > and I'm beginning to think that I don't have the capability to

withstand

> > much more of this, but am still sure that I have 2 more hours at least?

> > I sit on my knees by the couch and

> > have a contraction that lifts my body into the air and feels almost

like

> > I'm pushing! My litany of phrases during the contraction totally

changed

> > from the moose like stuff from before to Oh no Oh NO Oh NO and then Oh

> > oh oh oh oh and stuff like that. I have 2 of those before we decide to

> > go back to the pool.

> > Just in time for another one, Oh no

> > Oh no Oh no I am facing the birth pool wall on my knees and lifting up

> > with the contractions. There is a pause. Then another contraction in

> > which I am totally bearing down. Unmistakably. As soon as that

> > contraction stops I tell that I'm pushing. I don't know if this

> > was news to him or not, but he got into the pool [which is impressive

> > considering that there is...um...poop in there]. The next contraction I

> > put my fingers inside myself to check and I feel a little lump which is

> > decidedly foreign, could it be head? I tell the baby is coming!

> > Another contraction and then tells me that he can feel the head

> > too. The next contraction I start to feel the ring of fire, so I add

> > that to my litany too, oh no oh no oh o and then owy ow ow it burns oh

> > ow oh no, like that. Another one and more of the head and then HEAD!

> > announces it, but I already knew. I ask which way it's facing

(for

> > some reason this late in the game I sti ll need to know the babies

> > position.) says its facing him. I feel Relief. I tell not

to

> > worry, this is the lull, and during the next contraction the shoulders

> > will come. But there was one more with no change, and then I said,

> > " don't pull! " and said, " I'm not pulling! " so I knew that the

baby

> > was turning and VOILA! I felt a little body squirm around inside of me

> > and then with a push, out slid Gwyneth. caught and then I turned

> > around and he put her right into my lap, pale and still for about a

> > second and then a little cough splutter and then a hearty cry! Yes!

> > It was 3:00 am.

> > We decided we best get out of the

> > pool which quickly became less miracle water and more of a cess pool as

> > the minutes passed. We were exhilarated and goofy psyched with giant

> > smiles on our faces. I moved over to the couch nest in the 'birth

annex'

> > and when went to the bedroom to get more blankets for Gwyneth he

> > saw my eldest daughter Isobel sitting up in bed. She claims to have

> > heard the baby crying. (I want to remind you that our apartment is 750

> > square feet and neither daughter heard me carrying on! What is up with

> > that?)

> > Isobel came to pay her respects

> > first, then went back to wake up Fiona, they all gathered around in

time

> > for me to expel the placenta with a lovely plooping sound. tied

> > the cord with 3 pieces of braided embroidery thread, so that Gwyneth's

> > stump looked all festive like a little party and then we cut the cord

> > (about 45 minutes after the birth). She had remained gurgly for a

little

> > while, but once the placenta was out I put her feet a bit higher than

> > her head, and after about a minute she sneezed out a bunch of snotty

> > stuff and that was that.

> > We all shared a big breakfast and

> > then went to our bed which was now a little less roomy with our new

> > addition and fell into a well deserved sleep.

> >

August 23, 2004

I have had one homebirth (with a hands-off midwife) and it was Fabulous, but

I've had 2 unassisted births IN the hospital. (rolleyes) The first time, the

doctor didn't show up until 15 minutes after the baby was born, and the

second time, the doctor was an idiot and didn't believe me when I said I was

starting to feel the need to push. Both times no one but my husband was in

the room when I had the babies. :-) That was Wonderful and Definately better

than all the " help " the hospital staff and the doctor give (rolleyes). lol

Jan G.

SAHM of 8, doula, breastfeeding advocate

August 23, 2004

Janet,

My DH also has the BIG HEAD side of the family........ my son's head measured 15

inches at birth (c-section) he's now 5 years old....... my daughter, with the

SAME size head was born at home (with a hands-off midwife) just 9 months

ago..... I felt much safer at home than I would have at the hospital.... home

is my little NEST.

HUGS

Chelly

Re: The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

Hi, this story is awesome. However I had my last child by cesarean,her head

was too big. its a trait of my husbands side of the family. How would you know

if something was going wrong? I would have never been able to get the baby

out! My other 3 kids were vaginal births in the hospital. I wish I had been

more informed and educated before I became pregnant. The one thing that

people

do not realize is that intense pain scares you so much and I felt " safe " at

the hospital??????????? oh well I can't go back but if I could I would

definitely do things different! love Janet

August 23, 2004

How do you go about learning how to do the unassisted birth? Has anyone done

this in GA on this list? I have a friend that is a doula and she was telling

me that it wasn't necessarily against the law to have home births here. But,

I certainly wouldn't want anyone taking my baby from me because I 'exposed

the child to danger', or something like that.

Donna

Homeschooling mom to 3

Hunter (6), (5), and Abigail (born still 6/12/04, waiting on us to

return HOME)

August 23, 2004

I hear ya with the big heads!! My first son's head was 16 1/2 inches! Ouch!

And my husband wondered why I made him stay away for almost six months after!

sara

Re: The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

Hi, this story is awesome. However I had my last child by cesarean,her head

was too big. its a trait of my husbands side of the family. How would you

know

if something was going wrong? I would have never been able to get the baby

out! My other 3 kids were vaginal births in the hospital. I wish I had been

more informed and educated before I became pregnant. The one thing that

people

do not realize is that intense pain scares you so much and I felt " safe " at

the hospital??????????? oh well I can't go back but if I could I would

definitely do things different! love Janet

August 23, 2004

I know this is not a list meant to discuss birth, so I will make this comment

and leave it alone.........

First, there are no guarantees. Bad stuff happens. All the time. If this

woman had her baby in a hospital, would it have survived? Possibly. But we

don't know that. But because she chose to take full responsibility for her own

birth, we can look at her and think she's nuts. When a woman chooses to walk

into an OB's office, she is turning over responsibility to the doctor and the

hospital. She is absolved should anything happen. No one would ever think to

question her choice. EVEN THOUGH it was the more dangerous choice.

Second, yes, of course, please educate yourself should you desire an

unassisted birth. Just because I choose to birth unassisted does not mean I am

stupid. It also does not mean I will do it NO MATTER WHAT. If something should

arise that I feel warrants medical intervention, I will head directly to the

hospital. However, the chances of this, although they exist, are extremely

small.

Maybe this woman did not know what the best thing to do to guard against

infection is. I simply can not believe she would have been better off in a

hospital teeming with germs her body would be unfamiliar with. Perhaps she

should

have taken echinacea, or if she felt more comfortable, she could have taken an

antibiotic. Maybe she did these things. Maybe there was nothing to be done.

Maybe the result would have been the same no matter what. Do you see what I

mean?

Once again, this comes down to whether or not we trust ourselves or someone

in a white coat to tell us what is best. In the end, we have to be willing to

accept the results. It may be that our child gets pertussis and passes away.

This is a possible consequence to not vaxing. The chance of that happening

is very very small, but it is there. The chance of injury through vaxing is

many times greater than that. I assume most people on this list have chosen to

take the smaller risk, as I have (after my first dd). Same thing with birth.

In a message dated 8/23/2004 8:16:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,

KPhilpot@... writes:

> The first person I knew that didn't plan on vaccinating her children was

> the first person I knew to have an unassisted delivery at home. Unfortunately

> it didn't turn out well at all. The baby died. Her water had been broken

> for almost 36 hours and infection set in. By the time they ended up going to

> the hospital, mom and baby were both septic. He died shortly after birth.

> So PLEASE if you're planning a first-time unassisted delivery at home,

> research it thoroughly and know ahead what you'll do if different situations

arise.

>

> I really enjoyed the story about Gwyneth's birth. Wow!

>

> Kay (former OB nurse!) : )

>

August 23, 2004

The first person I knew that didn't plan on vaccinating her children was the

first person I knew to have an unassisted delivery at home. Unfortunately it

didn't turn out well at all. The baby died. Her water had been broken for

almost 36 hours and infection set in. By the time they ended up going to the

hospital, mom and baby were both septic. He died shortly after birth. So

PLEASE if you're planning a first-time unassisted delivery at home, research it

thoroughly and know ahead what you'll do if different situations arise.

I really enjoyed the story about Gwyneth's birth. Wow!

Kay (former OB nurse!) : )

**********************

My last baby was unassisted and the one coming this winter is planned to be

as well. I would never do it any other way after that experience:o)

August 23, 2004

My point wasn't to belittle anyone or say they are " nuts " or " stupid. " I'm

saying people need to be aware that unexpected things can arise, and it's

prudent to be prepared. This couple was dead set on going to the hospital for

anything during her labor and delivery. The mother could have died as well

without any intervention. Personally I would have had homepathy as a backup.

But that's just me.

This woman I'm speaking of had no way of monitoring the baby during labor, had

no back up plan (because they were determined it was going to happen at home, no

matter what). They agonized hours before going to the hospital after it was

clear there was a problem.

I wasn't pointing fingers at anyone. Simply saying expect the best but be

prepared for the worst.

Kay

************************

First, there are no guarantees. Bad stuff happens. All the time. If this

woman had her baby in a hospital, would it have survived? Possibly. But we

don't know that. But because she chose to take full responsibility for her

own

birth, we can look at her and think she's nuts. When a woman chooses to walk

into an OB's office, she is turning over responsibility to the doctor and the

hospital. She is absolved should anything happen. No one would ever think to

question her choice. EVEN THOUGH it was the more dangerous choice.

Second, yes, of course, please educate yourself should you desire an

unassisted birth. Just because I choose to birth unassisted does not mean I

am

stupid. It also does not mean I will do it NO MATTER WHAT. If something

should

arise that I feel warrants medical intervention, I will head directly to the

hospital. However, the chances of this, although they exist, are extremely

small.

Maybe this woman did not know what the best thing to do to guard against

infection is. I simply can not believe she would have been better off in a

hospital teeming with germs her body would be unfamiliar with. Perhaps she

should

have taken echinacea, or if she felt more comfortable, she could have taken an

antibiotic. Maybe she did these things. Maybe there was nothing to be done.

Maybe the result would have been the same no matter what. Do you see what I

mean?

August 23, 2004

This sounds like my pediatrician about vaxing.. Funny...

V

My point wasn't to belittle anyone or say they are " nuts " or " stupid. " I'm

saying people need to be aware that unexpected things can arise, and it's

prudent to be prepared.

August 24, 2004

Don't see anything funny about a baby's death.

Seems like some are trying to compare apples to oranges here. I wasn't

condemning unassisted births or homebirths (assisted). I was saying people need

to do their homework and be prepared if an emergency arises. How is that at all

like vaccinating??

Kay

*******************

This sounds like my pediatrician about vaxing.. Funny...

V

My point wasn't to belittle anyone or say they are " nuts " or " stupid. " I'm

saying people need to be aware that unexpected things can arise, and it's

prudent to be prepared.

August 24, 2004

Not funny about the death. And how could you think I meant that?

I mean that people condemn us for not vaxing our children and if something

happens then AUTOMATICALLY not vaxing is blamed (regardless of how many

unexplained deaths happen with vaxed kids)

The SAME happens in the birth field

Many women and babies die in childbirth IN the hospital

A woman DIED from a surgeon nicking her aorta at University of Iowa hospital

Septis from vaginal exams supergerms

Unnecessary intervention, SCARE TACTICS..

Sounds remarkably like my pediatrician to me..

How many women do you PERSONALLY know who were given an episiotomy and enema

against their wishes? Purple Pushing. PIT put into iv's without consent

How many women have been SHOVED on their backs while they were pushing?

I know I was.. so I would rather be at home than raped by the OB staff at

the hospital thank you very much.

V.

Wife to Mark since Oct 2002

Mom to Olivia since Jul 1996

and Elijah since Aug 2003.

Closed for now..but check out our auctions!

http://www.livysloveys.com

If you come to see me, come anytime ... if you come to see my house -

make an appointment.

http://www.freewebs.com/freehand

www.diaperdecisions.com

-- Re: The Unassisted Birth Story of Gwyneth Kai

Don't see anything funny about a baby's death.

Seems like some are trying to compare apples to oranges here. I wasn't

condemning unassisted births or homebirths (assisted). I was saying people

need to do their homework and be prepared if an emergency arises. How is

that at all like vaccinating??

Kay

*******************

This sounds like my pediatrician about vaxing.. Funny...

V

My point wasn't to belittle anyone or say they are " nuts " or " stupid. " I

m saying people need to be aware that unexpected things can arise, and it's

prudent to be prepared.

August 25, 2004

I was born unassisted in a planned homebirth. My mom said she was doing the

dishes during labor until her water broke, she told my dad " well the baby is

coming " walked to her room, climbed on her bed and I was born 15 minutes later.

I always thought it sounded like the best labor ever. I was born with my cord

around my neck that was snipped off by my dad with a pair of my mom's sewing

sissors. Doc came the next day to check out my mom, slapped my dad on the back

and said " Couldn't have done it better myself " .

--

Aimee, Mom to Marah-Jade Born 09/17/03 vaccine free since 12/03

" Half of the modern drugs could well be thrown out of the window, except that

the birds might eat them. Dr. Henry Fischer "