Anyway, when I finally went into labor, it was the night we were working on our Easter production at church, and contractions started about 9pm. I was so glad the lights were out, and no one could see me quietly breathing thru the contractions,while running the soundboard. At 10 pm the practice was done and I sent my oldest daughter to get the two people who would be assisting me, Ramona and Mary. Mary was single, and I wanted her there to see what a normal birth was like. Ramona had helped me at a couple of previous births. My husband was (reluctantly) going to catch the baby but I had searched out every lead for a midwife during my pregnancy, and there weren't any where I lived.
The midwives that I spoke to in Richmond didn't think they could get here in time, since my other births had been 4 hrs and 3 hrs, respectively. So labor came and went along quite smoothly, and when it was time to push, my husband told me to pick up my butt. Our bed was really soft, and the baby's head couldn't get out. I lifted my butt up, and his head came out. He turned nicely, and first the top shoulder, then the bottom was born into his daddy's hands. It felt like giving birth to a Mack Truck because he was so wide. He weighed 8lbs 13 ozs. and was 19 in.long.His head was 14 inches around, and his chest 15 inches. My labor was longer this time (11 hrs)because of the extra dilation, and I'm so glad I didn't have him at the local hospitals. They never would have waited that long without interfering. I nursed him right away, and had no problem with postpartum bleeding. I did have a little problem getting the placenta out, because when I nursed the baby I could feel my cervix close up. But it worked out fine. After 2 hrs we went over to South Boston Hospital and in 10 minutes they helped me get out the biggest placenta I had ever seen! It was easily 10 inches across! They were amazed that I had him at home and tried to get me to stay there overnight, but I said no- I knew what to look for in a newborn and said if I needed their help I would come and get it then. Then we left and went to see our friends Laurie and Dan.
The county health department nurse came out the third day and did his PKU and pediatric check right in the living room. It was cool.There is no reason why 90% of all women can't have their babies in the safety and comfort of thier own homes.They do all over the rest of the world!A hospital birth cannot guarantee safety, and if they do, they are lying to you!!Medically managed birth has caused the baby and mother death and sickness rate to stay at one of the highest percentages of any Western country, and this is a disgrace, folks, when we know there is a safer and far less expensive alternative- I speak of midwives and home birth and the MIDWIFERY MODEL OF CARE!
I am advertising my services as a doula while I study to become a midwife,while waiting until non nurse midwives are legalized in our state.