Birth & Breastfeeding2

Birth & Breastfeeding

Last updated: February 11, 2003

Childbirth has been a topic of great interest to me since before the birth of my first child ... I suppose I felt some sort of destiny where birth was concerned ever since helping my stepfather pull a lamb the year he and my mother were married!

Years of study and a variety of birth experiences have led me to be an independent childbirth educator ... or birth minister, depending on how you look at it. I definitely feel a calling to not just teach people about childbirth, but to truly minister to them in this area. My husband and I were separated during the birth of our first child ... second birth was a "failed" home birth and traumatic induced labor (for both me and baby) ... third baby was a "gentle" induction. I came later to believe that inducing labor--forcing a baby to come before the fullness of time--is as much a violation of the womb's sanctity as many other technological interventions. By the time our fourth child was conceived, my husband and I were prepared for the decision of having our baby completely outside the medical system--with no one to depend on, "just in case," except God Himself. This decision has been regarded by many as risky and highly irresponsible. More comment on this, later. Our fourth and fifth children were born at home--perfectly healthy, with no medical input during either pregnancy or delivery--in the presence of a close friend and their grandmother, respectively, and caught by their father. Our sixth child was also born at home but became a loss that we feel would not have turned out very differently had we been in the hospital (see Duncan's story, below). Our seventh and eighth were also born at home (perfectly healthy, with no complications) and continue to be the delight of our lives.

My essential viewpoint on childbirth boils down to two statements. One, the God who spun the universe from His fingertips has NO problem bringing a baby out from the womb in which He formed it. Two, doctors and hospitals can be useful (at least from a purely natural standpoint), during an emergency or critical illness, but even after experiencing "the worst" I am still fully convinced that at least in the vast majority of cases, giving birth is neither!

BIRTH STORIES

Alistair--11/11/90 ~ hospital birth, some interventions ~ COMING SOON

Ian--6/17/92 ~ planned homebirth, transfer of care in last month, induced labor ~ COMING SOON

Erin--2/15/94 ~ another induction, but slower, without pain meds ~ COMING SOON

Ross' birth--12/16/95 ~ our first unassisted birth

Breanna's birth--10/14/97 ~ another beautiful unassisted birth

Duncan's story--7/2/99 - 7/13/99 ~ when homebirth doesn't go as planned ... God is still in control!

Cameron's birth--7/15/00 ~ pregnancy and birth after loss ~ Glory to God!!

Corrie's birth--10/3/02 ~ long, slow labor but oh-so-worth-it!

HOMEBIRTH-RELATED ARTICLES

I'm working on a seven-part set of outlines, complete with supplemental articles (still in process), on preparing for home birth. My prayer is that these may be a resource for those who cannot find support or information through other means.

Homebirth Outlines, Introduction -- Please read this first! Explains how these outlines came to be, cites some resources, a disclaimer, more.

Homebirth One/God's Design for the Family -- a comparatively short overview, lots of Scripture

Homebirth Two/Nutrition, Exercise, & Other Prenatal Concerns -- mostly from the physical, medical aspects

Homebirth Three/Where to Birth, & Who Should Be There? -- Read this if you are undecided as to home or hospital, or which caregiver to choose

Homebirth Four/Labor and Delivery -- Describes the process of uncomplicated, natural birth from start to finish

Homebirth Five/After the Birth -- Care of mother and baby immediately afterwards, delivery of placenta, other postpartum concerns up to six weeks or so

Homebirth Six/Interventions in Labor & Delivery -- Read this one even if you are planning a hospital birth!!!! Very important information on how complications and normal variations in labor are generally handled by the medical profession, and why these are not always done in the mother's and baby's best interests.

Homebirth Seven/Baby Care & Breastfeeding -- Discussion of routine newborn procedures within the medical system and pros and cons of each, basic newborn care at home (what is normal, what is not), getting breastfeeding off to a good start and keeping it that way, when (and who) to call for help

COMING SOON--A listing of related online articles and essays on topics related to home, specifically unassisted, birth; ALSO the companion Scripture studies to the outlines on topics such as Faith vs. Fear, verses related to birth and breastfeeding (found at Cyndi's site, see below), others

CHILDBIRTH & BREASTFEEDING LINKS

Disclaimer: my use of these links does not, of course, constitute automatic endorsement on my part of the views or teachings held within. They are for your enjoyment and enrichment, and you are expected to exercise your own discernment while reading the content of any site.

Cyndi's Childbirth & Breastfeeding Links ~ A wonderful source for all sorts of information on birth, breastfeeding, homeschooling, and many other things. (And hey, that's me and Ross, our 4th baby and 1st home birth, in the link graphic!!)

My Personal Statement on Zion Birth and related matters

Home In Zion Ministries ~ founded by Carol Balizet, author of Born in Zion and other books. Interesting articles on the parallels between birth and the Christian life, and commentary on the state of modern obstetrics from a spiritual viewpoint. Read what she REALLY says, for yourself!

BIRTHJUNKIE.COM ~ One family's adventures in unassisted birth, lots of stories from both sides of the fence, and other information on birth! VERY active message board. Articles coming from the "anti" side of Zion birth. (Note: my last two births are also featured on this site.)

BOB'S UNASSISTED HOMEBIRTH PAGE FOR FATHERS ~ A unique site, from the DAD'S point of view! ~ Don't forget to check out the home site of this one!

THE JOY OF PLEASURABLE CHILDBIRTH ~ Extensive articles and links related to home/unassisted birth, now compliled into a book, by Laurie Morgan. (Formerly Laurie's Humble Home on the Web)

PROMOM.COM ~ All kinds of breastfeeding information ... 101 reasons to breastfeed, Dr. Jack Newman's very informative articles, message board, more!

MOMS 4 MILK ~ Mother's Milk, that is! The latest in breastfeeding research in one easily accessible place ~ Get thefacts, and pass them on!

THE MIDWIVES' ARCHIVES AT GENTLEBIRTH.ORG ~ Have a question you can't find elsewhere? Just want to compare notes with others? Check out this site! Exhaustive resource for all sorts of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum issues.

BUSINESSES ONLINE:

BirthSupplies.com ~ AKA Spirit-Led Childbirth ~ Birthing, Midwifery, and Parenting supplies. My personal favorite.