With my first child I was forced into a c-section and never given the opportunity to labor! The story is that I was 39 weeks, and was told at 40 weeks we would have an ultrasound, schedule an induction, and go from there. Well it turned out my OB NEVER scheduled the induction but rather scheduled a c-section. We went in thinking I…
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I Am Strong – Enduring 30-Plus Hours of Full Blown Labor
I am strong because when I was in labor, I was in back labor for nine hours and wasn’t progressing so I had to go home. I am strong because after laboring another 10 hours at home I went to the doctor to get checked and was in full blown labor but only dilated to 3 cm. I am strong because I…
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I Am Strong {SPD and Gallbladder}
I am strong because I started developing an unexplainable pain in my legs when I was only six weeks pregnant with my first child. I am strong because I had to go through two doctors, two chiropractors, and twelve weeks of increasing pain before a chiropractor identified the area causing problems (my pubic symphysis) and I found the actual diagnosis online…
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I Am Strong Because I Am FREE!!
I am strong because three months after my husband and I got married, we found out we were pregnant, and at 12 weeks, we lost the baby. I am strong because after three months of waiting to try again, we found out we were pregnant for the second time, but at six weeks, I miscarried again. I am strong because…
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Ladies & Gentlemen, Husbands & Wives, Mothers & Fathers: We Are Strong
I am Strong because I waited until the age of 32 to have my first child. I am Strong because I saw our would-be son one day looking up at me holding onto the knee of the man who became the love of my life at the age of 28. Dream became Reality. I am Strong because as the youngest…
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From the Grocery Story to Unassisted Home Birth in 15 Minutes
My daughter, Aisha Skye, was born on the 19th of February 2013 weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz, after an unexpected homebirth. I had my first daughter, Avalon, two years previously at our local hospital. She was born naturally after a few complications and six hours of active labour and pushing. I was expecting a similar delivery as my first…
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Photo of Laboring Mother Touching Her Arriving Baby’s Head
“When I was pregnant and thought about labour, I hoped for the opportunity to touch my baby’s head if the moment arose, but didn’t realize the challenge of doing so until it was time. I remember seeing his head in the mirror that the doula was holding and thinking this is it, now or never, and I forced myself to lean…
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There We Were… A Family – The Birth of Sequoia
Heidi’s water broke Thursday at 12:30am. She woke me up saying “Uh baby, my water broke.” I sat up and said, “Tell me more about that,” and looked over to see the soaked sheet on her side of the bed. We did a few things to get ready for labor while having everyone in our house. Then we tried to…
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One Woman’s Successful Frank Breech Vaginal Hospital Birth
Let me rewind a little bit…At 37 weeks, we found out via ultrasound that Everett was frank breech. We tried everything we could to turn him. Everything was totally unsuccessful in turning him. He was stubborn and comfortable in his breech position. Typically, a breech baby these days means a c-section. But I was being told by my midwives that I…