Gratitude for homebirth and midwives

 Today is International Day of the Midwife and I am feeling deeply grateful for homebirth and midwives.

I cannot imagine a better setting for birth than in your own home, where you can create the peaceful environment that you want.

Before the birth, our midwife, Anita, asked if we would like the midwives in attendance to take pictures during the birth. I said yes. They took so many beautiful pictures that we will always treasure. What a gift to look through them, in awe of the whole experience.

 

Jeff's constant support and love, always by my side.

 Deep "in the zone" in the birthing tub.

I was surprised when I saw this picture where I was smiling at the camera during labor. 

 We were feeling so much in that moment.

Seeing the pictures of Bracken's eyes as he was first entering the world was powerful. Seeing Jeff's hands catching him and the way Bracken looked up at Jeff and deep into his eyes, was so touching. When Bracken was first born, he looked like a little Native American papoose to me because his hair and skin were so dark. Seeing these photos reminded me of things I had forgotten about the birth. It reminded me of singing chants in the garden that our friend had taught me and how much I loved singing during labor.
 Many songs I made up, but here are a few I was taught:

I am opening up

In sweet surrender

To the luminous love-light of the One

I am opeeeeniiiing

I am o-o-peeenniiiing

I am opening up 

In sweet surrender

To the luminous love-light of the One

and

The river is flowing

flowing and growing

The river is flowing 

down to the sea

Mother, carry me

Your child I will always be

Sister, carry me

down to the sea

(This last one I also changed the lyrics into a goat milking song one summer, which was fun to sing while milking.)

~

On this day and every day, thank you to midwives everywhere!
And thank you to our midwives- Anita, Janelle and Heather (who were at the birth) and Carla (who was not able to make it.) Being surrounded by your love and care was a gift- throughout the pregnancy, during the birth, and after. I will always be grateful, bless you all.

To anyone in the local area who is looking for a midwife (or will be at some point),
I highly recommend Sacred Waters Birthing Center , where we received heart-based, intuitive care.  

~

Looking back on Bracken's birth, one thing is for sure- I will never look at that couch the same way again!