At about 6 months gestation, I went to the E.R. for what I thought was premature labor. My previous pregnancy had resulted in a miscarriage so I had some cause for concern. After plenty of testing, the results were inconclusive. I was having some fierce abdominal pain that we could not identify. I went home… Continue Reading
Kyra Aaron Reed
In this post I would like to share my amazing birth story. I wrote it for myself- so that I would not forget and so that I can share it with my daughter one day. But I’m sharing it with you for several reasons. When I was pregnant all I ever heard from anyone was… Continue Reading
Abby Kinne doing what she did best!!
My Mom had midwives from choice for all of her childrens births (which is why i also chose to do a home birth with choice), we were all born at home except for my sister Katie, thier 4th child. My parents were planning a home birth with her as well, it just didnt work out… Continue Reading
Adelaide’s Birth
My daughter Adelaide Rose was born on a brisk fall morning in November, a Tuesday. And, although much anticipated, it was completely unexpected and absolutely perfect. So much mystery had surrounded Adelaide for so long. What would her sex be? How much would she weigh? Were all her fingers and toes there? But, most importantly,… Continue Reading
Lyla’s Birth
Our first child, Adelaide, was born, with the help of CHOICE midwives, into water on November 16th, 2010. She was a planned pregnancy, and we had even gone through fertility medication to help conception. The birth was beautiful and gentle – everything I wanted the experience to be. And, truthfully, I’d call it a typical… Continue Reading
He Was Born Where???
He Was Born Where??? He finally came. Palmer Lewis Hamilton was born on May 5, healthy and beautiful, and, like his sister, he was born at home. I know what you’re thinking. For goodness sake, why didn’t they learn from the first one and get to the hospital sooner this time? But it wasn’t… Continue Reading
Our Home Birth Dream Came True
At 10:30 pm on January 13, Mike and I got into bed. It was a Sunday, the night before my mom’s birthday…and first Monday since leaving my job. I was feeling a little guilty about not going to work in the morning, since I hadn’t actually had the baby yet. Laying on my right side,… Continue Reading
Chelsea’s Birth Story
Click here to read Chelsea’s birth story… Continue Reading
Eryn’s Little Sister
August 18th began as a usual day in our house. Get up, make breakfast, feed the dogs, dress Eryn and myself. Eryn, then two and a half, busily played, half watching cartoons, when the phone rang. It was my OB’s office. I considered not answering it. Against, perhaps, my better judgment, I said hello. It… Continue Reading
Olen’s Empowering Birth
Despite the outside appearance of a perfectly wonderful home birth with my daughter, it was somehow very traumatic to both her and I when coupled with a difficult postpartum period due to colic and food allergies. We were all healthy when she was born, yes, but definitely not happy. I’ve comet o realize that no… Continue Reading
NOT A Walk in the Park
Jack has now been in this world for 18 months and I would like to go back to the day he entered this world and document his birth story. It is a bit lengthy as it was hard to cut out any detail. I wanted to document the entire story, unrated and not softening anything. … Continue Reading
Ty Simone’s Birth
Ty Simone’s Birth On Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 3:00 p.m., I felt what I qualified as a possible labor contraction. After sharing this could-be revelation with Gary, I decided to drive to my CHOICE appointment. I saw my midwife Kelley and told her of my potential labor. Upon examination she determined the baby was nestled very… Continue Reading
Tobey
I must admit that I was nervous about performing as well as the couples in the HypnoBirthing videos. Would I be the little engine that couldn’t? Incredibly, we could have also starred in our own segment. Thank you Marie Mongan and thank you Heidi Wilhelm, our adept instructor. On 8/9, my 31st birthday, I was… Continue Reading
A Truly Joyful Birth
by Cas Chermer Hannah, my first child, was born in a hospital, and although her birth was unmedicated, it was not a natural birth. I’d arrived at the hospital at 8 cm and very much in control, but I ended up in the helpless bug position, with my baby (as she, herself, describes it 5… Continue Reading
The Gift and the Miracle
by Laura Staley Hausman On Friday, June 26th, 1998 I wake up at 7:30 a.m. and discover bloody show. Steady, walk-through contractions begin and continue. It is a hot, humid, overcast day. After breakfast Herb, Julianna and I walk to the playground. I sit on a bench and notice the world through a bubble. I… Continue Reading
Daniel
by Jen Asselstine Choice. It’s a right that we exercise each day. We choose what to wear in the morning and what to eat for breakfast. We choose the type of car to drive and what profession to pursue. We choose whether to make a good, moral decision or a bad one. We choose a… Continue Reading
A Mother’s Perspective: Adventures in Natural Childbirth
by Lauren Banta My husband, Mark, and I were thrilled to see “positive pink” on my pregnancy test in June, 1997. My mind raced with hopeful thoughts concerning our first child. Was this tiny baby a boy or a girl? What would we name our little blessing? Regarding birth, I wanted to avoid an episiotomy… Continue Reading
A Father’s Perspective: A New View
by Mark Banta Had you asked me 5 years ago what I thought of home birth I would have told you, in no uncertain terms, that the risks far outweigh the rewards. Furthermore, I would have said that there is no reason to do such a thing given the excellent medical technology and gifted medical… Continue Reading