You can't ask for much better than that

My husband and I planned our first baby's birth at home. We try to do things as naturally and healthily as possible. We found a great midwife in the area and my pregnancy was wonderful. We attended Bradley Method classes and I really liked and used the self-hypnosis method. During active labor I just closed my eyes, listened to Enya's CD and transported myself to a beautiful river with my husband. We were in a canoe and looking at all the beautiful sights of nature. My midwife and her assistant occasionally checked the baby's heart beat while I labored in the water tub set up in my bedroom. My mother and mother-in-law were there to witness this amazing experience. My mother-in-law did not have the opportunity to have a normal delivery since she was in a car accident just before her due date and broke her hip and as a result all three of her children were born by cesarean section. I think it meant a lot to her to see how natural birth can be.

After 18 hours of labor my first daughter was born healthy and happy. She nursed within 20 minutes of birth and continued for 12 months. Our second daughter came just 2 years later (almost to the day), and she was eager to join the family. I went into labor at 12:30am and she arrived by daddy "catching" her on our couch at 2:15am. I must say that I prefer the 18 hours to the hour and a half labor but both girls were healthy and very alert at birth. You can't ask for much better than that. We have been very blessed.

Keri Spencer