I have few regrets about Maxine's birth. I am confident that I made the best decisions, given my circumstances. I started researching about pregnancy and birth before I ever got pregnant. I knew what a beautiful thing birth could be. I had big plans of having a natural, perfect labor and delivery. But I also had a big baby. Long story short, we induced, I was drugged, but was able to vaginally birth my 9lb 2oz baby girl. It was difficult, there were complications, but I avoided the c-section that I later learned I was very close to having. I learned alot from that experience. I learned that birth NEVER goes as planned, but it's good to have a plan. I learned to set priorities and let go of the less important things. And I learned that hospitals suck. Big time.
The whole experience confirmed what I already knew: that birth can be so much better than that. When we moved to Tennessee a few months later, I knew my next pregnancy and birth was going to be much, much different. I was now living in a state that was midwife and homebirth friendly. We knew we were going to start trying for baby #2 when Max was about 9 months old, so I began my research as soon as we moved. I knew I wanted a homebirth. My first choice was to go to The Farm Midwives. I had been so inspired by the work of Ina May Gaskin. I couldn't think of women that would be more qualified than them. But alas, we lived just a little too far for them to assist a homebirth at our house. So I began talking with other midwives in the area, but none of them seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't help but be drawn to The Farm. We finally decided that the choice was obvious. We would just have our homebirth on The Farm. It was an hour and a half away, and a bit more expensive than other midwives, but we knew it would be worth it. Luckily, we got pregnant on the second try! I called right away and set up my first appointment at The Farm.
The whole experience confirmed what I already knew: that birth can be so much better than that. When we moved to Tennessee a few months later, I knew my next pregnancy and birth was going to be much, much different. I was now living in a state that was midwife and homebirth friendly. We knew we were going to start trying for baby #2 when Max was about 9 months old, so I began my research as soon as we moved. I knew I wanted a homebirth. My first choice was to go to The Farm Midwives. I had been so inspired by the work of Ina May Gaskin. I couldn't think of women that would be more qualified than them. But alas, we lived just a little too far for them to assist a homebirth at our house. So I began talking with other midwives in the area, but none of them seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't help but be drawn to The Farm. We finally decided that the choice was obvious. We would just have our homebirth on The Farm. It was an hour and a half away, and a bit more expensive than other midwives, but we knew it would be worth it. Luckily, we got pregnant on the second try! I called right away and set up my first appointment at The Farm.