All of my children have been born at home without a doctor or midwife. My
husband caught the first one and I caught the other three. I'd like to write
about the birth of my third child, Joy, because in some ways it touched me
the most. My husband David was at the library and my two sons were sleeping
when i realized birth was immenent. I had decided that this time I wanted to
birth alone. I have complete faith in my body and know that I am as capable
of giving birth alone as any housecat. After taking a shower, I took out my
little plastic bath tub and squatted over it. Joy was born into my hands and
I watched the water bag break over her face. She looked right up at me and
the joy that I felt was beyond words. I felt as if we were the only two
people in the world. I nursed her immediately and then put her in her baby
seat. A few minutes later the placenta came out and I tied and cut the cord.
Then I took a shower, got dressed, dressed Joy and the boys (who had just
woken up), and went over to the campus to show my husband his new daughter.
As I walked I felt positively high. Every woman should know the joy of
catching her own baby. I wrote a book about my experiences as well as those
of others who have chosen to give birth without medical assistance. Please
contact me for more information.
My book is called UNASSISTED CHILDBIRTH. I
also have a quarterly newsletter.