Thinking about it more and more…I think that I am very ready and happy to be going Unassisted throughout the pregnancy…
I am not the kind of person that will get scared by going unassisted. It will more likely make me feel like I have more control over the whole situation, resulting in an ever more empowering pregnancy and birth, which I truly believe is something that Women have lost with such medicalized births.
I will also be starting a Pregnancy journal to record the pregnancy. It truly is the beginning of a new journey 🙂
OH… We told the boys yesterday morning when we saw the line come up on the test… I explained that first the leaves will come back on the trees, then it will be summer and Xavier’s Birthday, then Colin’s Birthday, then the leaves will fall and it will be Hallo’een and then the baby will be here… Xavier’s Response? “I want a lot, a lot of Candy” (for Hallo’een)
I seriously considered birthing unassisted with Ilana. I didn’t actually contract with a homebirth midwife until my 36th week, I think it was.
I’ll bet you’re familiar with it already, but I really enjoyed Laura Shanley’s website, http://unassistedchildbirth.com/ and her book, and another website, http://www.unhinderedliving.com/childbirth.html
I found this blog during a random search and had to read when I recognized the name. This entry in particular stuck with me. I do have one question for you….
What’s your contingency plan? What will you do if you a test comes out bad or you have trouble during the birth? Is there a hospital nearby you feel comfortable with just in case?
Did you go through the pregnancy unassisted then? I have seen the websites and have visited often. There are some things that I don’t agree with (a spirtitual/religious tone that I can’t get past in places) but the overall is great 🙂
There was a whole series of back and forth comments between BecauseIsaidso and I…. However, I just think that it brought out a negative light and don’t want to keep it here…
So here is my answer….
My body, my children, their health is my #1 concern which is why I will steer clear of a hospital… I will have a back up plan 😉 and it is a bit pretentious to think that I wouldn’t.
Before contracting with a homebirth midwife, I did visit a hospital midwife for pregnancy checkups. I did that mostly for my husband’s peace of mind, because I didn’t feel they were necessary. I was fairly certain I would know if my baby or I were truly in need of some special care.
P.S. I’m glad you removed the other woman’s series of undermining comments. There was one book I had on hand that helped my husband feel comfortable with the prospect of unassisted childbirth, and it was Emergency Childbirth by Dr. White. Despite it’s title, it really was a positive, basic description of childbirth that respected the birthing woman’s innate wisdom, and to help those around to trust her, with quick references of what to do in a variety of situations that might arise.
LOL! I knew I shouldn’t have tossed and turned last night over this.
Have a GREAT pregnancy! I sincerely hope you get everything you deserve!
I know I will 🙂
Don’t worry yourself too much..
Like every other Woman I deserve the Best and Happiest moments of my life and I know that it will happen.