This begins 12 years ago when I was 20. I was carrying a child I knew I couldn’t raise, so I opted for adoption. Her parents are fantastic people and we were lucky to have them in a position to come witness her birth. We thought H would be a boy, actually, but she surprised us, and from all accounts,…
-
-
Overcoming Placenta Previa, NICU, & Hospital Policies to Birth a Beautiful, Healthy Baby Boy
I was 16 weeks pregnant when I thought I was miscarrying. It would be my second miscarriage. I was on a business trip in Minneapolis, 750 miles from my home in NE Ohio. Seven hundred fifty miles from my husband and family. As soon as my plane landed, I realized I was bleeding more heavily than the light spotting I…
-
Tree of Life, Vernix, and a Bubble of Support
In case you missed Birth Without Fear on Instagram this past week… Sweet squishy babe. ❤ Oh those lips and little fingers and vernix. The most amazing gift you’ll ever hold. 📷:@ashleymarstonphotography #skintoskin #justborn #birthwithoutfear #optionssupportrespect A post shared by birthwithoutfear (@birthwithoutfear) on Jun 12, 2017 at 9:08pm PDT Tree of Life. 🌳 The placenta is sacred in many cultures.…
-
Roaring for Aurora: A Hospital Birth Story
My entire pregnancy had been spent preparing my body and mind to bring a wonderful little girl into the world. Including the fact that as a first time mom, she would probably arrive later than her expected due date of April 10th! So in order to prepare for her arrival sometime in April I left my job on the last…
-
Maternal Assisted Cesarean, Oxytocin, & 12 Year Old Catches Her Sibling
In case you missed our Birth Without Fear Instagram this past week… “IT’S A BOY!!!” Hands down the best reaction in 100+ births and 6 years of doing this!” @kerfoxphotos _ Did you wait to find out or did you need to know?! _ #birthwithoutfear #dontforgetdads #optionssupportrespect A post shared by birthwithoutfear (@birthwithoutfear) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32am PDT…
-
Prepared by Bradley Method: 3 Birth Stories in 1!
I have three beautiful children. All born very close together within the 5 years that my husband and I have been married. I jokingly call myself “Fertile Myrtle”. My husband is more of a natural/holistic person than I am and convinced me to go the natural way for our first pregnancy. We read a Bradley Method book that prepared us…
-
Focusing Through the Ring of Fire: An Unmedicated, Natural Birth
My husband Chris and I made the decision on having a natural unmedicated birth after watching the documentary “Business of Being Born”. Being the planner that I am, we prepared for our estimated due date, September 21st, for months. Chris and I were both very determined! Unquestionably, I knew I could do it, despite the doubting comments I’d been receiving from…
-
Pulled Over by a Cop, the Panicky Security Guard, & a Speedy Birth
A contraction woke me up shortly before 1am. I had been waking up to painful contractions for weeks, but this one felt different – deeper and more intense. I tried to ignore it and had almost drifted back to sleep when the next one came, strong enough I decided I’d better start timing. They were coming at 7 minutes apart,…
-
Labor in the Shower, Babywearing, & Anxiety is a Liar
In case you missed our Instagram this past week… Oh my goodness, this moment is everything! Mama emotions, her baby on his way to her chest, her best friend (behind) and her husband (to the right) celebrating. Wow. ❤ Incredible moment captured by @zuralagardebirth. _ P.S. if you didn’t see: @findyourvillage Calgary, Ottawa, Indianapolis, New Jersey, and Stillwater Oklahoma are…