NaturalChildbirth.org

[Eyescoldandgrey]

In the last few weeks of a pregnancy that has been blessed already, and comparably a cake walk to the symptoms that most women deal with, i began to get anxious. My feet are swollen, my hips feel like they are carrying bricks, and I feel like an oven in freezing cold weather. I began to pray right after 37 weeks, "Please God, let this baby come, i'm so ready to meet him!" and of course, my baby stay planted firmly in my womb and everyday, I would pray again, and beg my baby "please come out!"

When I went to my latest prenatal visit and was met with the possibility of having to be induced no later than 41 weeks, my praying became a sort of desperation. I was so terrified of being overdue and having to be induced. I begged for labor, and still I woke every morning with a little baby bottom mountain-ing my stomach and no pains to speak of.

It was by a complete twist of fate that I stumbled across a website in the middle of all this. A website that let me know that I could have been planning a legal, affordable homebirth, with a legal affordable midwife this whole time. At first, i felt like I had missed the bus. At just a few days away from my due date, i thought for sure that I would be laboring and delivering in the (seemingly) sterile white environment of a hospital that had me scared to death. But still something told me to ask, just ask. Was "no" such a horrible thing to hear?

But I didn't hear a no. I didn't even hear a possible no. I recieved an answer so fast, of yes you can still have a legal homebirth on short notice (granted i didn't go into labor within the next 48 hours). Billy and I read the email in awe. What a Godsend! We set up an appointment for 7pm the next day, and drove the hour long drive to meet our possible new midwife.

When we walked into her house, I was almost automatically convinced that this was where i was supposed to be. 9 and 1/2 months pregnant, changing my entire labor and delivery plan! lol!

We sat and discussed everything about homebirth, and before I could ask, most of my questions were already answered. I could not believe how prepared these women are (not that i expected anything less, but wow, what a job they do!). As Billy and I chatted with our already decided Midwife, I was almost brought to tears over the sheer joy of how this all came about. Because many things could have effected this scenario into a completely different direction.

It just so happened that in the midst of being terrified of my upcomming delivery that I stumbled upon a person who could give me the birth experience I so desperately wanted.
It just so happened that we had the money to pay for this out of pocket, which is not cheap, but our savings was almost the exact amount we needed, and the payment option allowed us to not have to close out our savings to pay for our homebirth.
It just so happened that I did not have my baby, no matter how hard I had prayed that I would go into labor because I was so exhausted and tired of swollen feet and discomfort. God knew that I needed to wait. and now i know why.

It is simply amazing that in just a few days, my whole birth experience went from one I dreaded and almost felt guilt over for my child, to one that I look forward to with great excitement and joy, and especially thankfulness! I thought, "wow, what a drastic decision this will be so late in my pregnancy". but the truth is, once I met my midwife, there was no question where I would rather be birthing my child.

Thanks for reading my loooong report of my experiences over the last few days!

[sonrise]

That is wonderful, and Thank you for showing us that we can take control even at the last in. I have friends who have been wondering this same thing. "Can I change at the last min if we need to" thank you for you post

[Alison]

eyescoldandgrey,

I'm sitting here smiling for you! I know it took courage to step out and make a choice that many women are afraid to make. You have taken a proactive step in creating the birth you want rather than hoping for the best but not planning for your dreams.

(applause!)
_________________
"The truth shall set you free, but first it will make you mad."

"And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"

[blondie]

Like i said in that other thread, i'm really glad you shared this story.

I especially love the part about how you can now see WHY that baby didn't arrive when YOU thought he/she should! Awesome!

[CFLhomeschooler]

Wonderful!
_________________
Child of God my king, wife of a wonderful husband, and mother of 4!

Marital conflict is not husband vs. wife, but husband and wife vs. our common enemy.

[drizzly]

Isn't it wonderful to be EXCITED and not fearful to have a baby?!?!

How many women can say that?