UC thread #9...Sept. '04 - Page 8

[Kundalini-Mama]

Linda and Shannon, what wonderful stories, thank you so much for sharing

Shannon, on another list I belong to, someone there prefers to call her birthing "freebirthing" (vs. unassisted). She explained that that leaves her open (and free) to trust her instincts and involve who she wants to, vs. closing the door on any involvement or support if she uses the term unassisted.

Congratulations again mamas on the wonderful freebirths

[oshunmama]

Originally Posted by AmyD

Shannon, on another list I belong to, someone there prefers to call her birthing "freebirthing" (vs. unassisted). She explained that that leaves her open (and free) to trust her instincts and involve who she wants to, vs. closing the door on any involvement or support if she uses the term unassisted.

Thank you for that, Amy. I have thought, over and over, did I fail at what I set out to acheive. Really, I wanted to UC because I felt my husband and I needed it for some healing between us....and somehow, just Nilah's presence has brought us closer together than we have been for years. I have been blessed with 2 midwives in my life (the first for my previous births...then the second at this last) who are my friends first. Who were both "freebiirthers" as you describe, and who supported my heart more than my body. I am grateful for them, and I love them dearly. My birth was perfect, although not what I had planned or expected.

Thank you again, you lifted my heart on a down day for me.
Blessings
Shannon

[rachel]

Linda & Shannon.....Wonderful birth stories! I'm so thankful all you wonderful mamas share your birth stories.

[majazama]

Linda~ wonderful birth story. That baby must have been big, hey? Your story reminds me somewhat of mine... wanting to be in the bathroom, partner sleeping during labour, lighting candles, putting on music, puttering... and I didn't get any PPD, as I did last time. Congratulations!

[cottonwood]

No, not a big baby. 7 lbs., term.

Shannon, reading your story gave me the feeling of a "freebirth" more so than many stories I've read in which there was no birth professional present. I think because in your case you were telling your friend what to do, rather than a midwife telling you what to do, or a husband or other support person acting as midwife, you know?

It's a wonderful story in any case. I could so relate to both the good and hard parts of it. Your birth doesn't fall under one of the clearly defined accepted labels (obstetrically-managed hospital birth, homebirth with midwife, UC) but that certainly makes it no less authentic and valid. I applaud you for having the strength of character to follow your own unique path based on what *you* needed in the moment, as opposed to what any group of "enlightened" folks would like us to believe is the only best way for all. It might have not been technically unassisted, but to me your birth definitely represents the spirit of "freebirth".

[oshunmama]

thank you, Linda.....you and Amy have certainly helped me put it into perspective a little more. Rob kept saying "why aren't you posting on that UC thread anymore??" and I told him I didn't know if I should LOL

We are so good at denying our fantastic experiences if we don't feel they are the "ideal." Silly of me, really.....

[Aurora]

Congratulations mamas and babies!

Linda-I was teary eyed while reading your birth story. Just beautiful.

Shannon-Linda said it so well, I'll just agree with her.

[mellie-bellie]

Perhaps today is my day!

Hey lovely mamas,

I've been up for about 3hrs or so having steady contractions....not payin too much attention to timing them, they're something like every 5-10 minutes at this point. I think I'm way too excited to try to get some sleep, hence coming on here and posting. I got this burst of energy and did some laundry, and got some homemade waffles ready cook once everyone else wakes up....all the while I'm savoring the last hours/minutes of dark by burning some candles. I feel very good and centered

Maybe this is it......

[majazama]

mellie-bellie~Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful birth

[Chandar]

I applaud you for having the strength of character to follow your own unique path based on what *you* needed in the moment, as opposed to what any group of "enlightened" folks would like us to believe is the only best way for all. It might have not been technically unassisted, but to me your birth definitely represents the spirit of "freebirth".

ITA!!

Birth is about what we want, and what makes us comfortable and empowered, not what anyone else thinks we should do, be it attended by proffesionals or not.

Congratulations to all the new mamas and babies! And peaceful and powerful birthing vibes for melli-bellie.

[mellie-bellie]

Our little one has arrived!

Just wanted to let everyone know that my lil one has arrived. My lil boy, Cypress Rain, arrived at 5:53am and was a UC as planned. He weighs about 8lbs 12oz....he was 11 days "late", so a very good size! My labor was 26hrs, and although long, it wasn't too intense until the last few hours. Dh ended up catching him, he had tears in his eyes from doing so....such a moment to remember Cypress is nursing so well, and I'm feeling great. I'll post pics when I get more time.

[cottonwood]

Congratulations!!! And what a beautiful name!

[Kundalini-Mama]

Much congratulations mellie-bellie on the birth of your son Enjoy your babymoon

[Evergreen]

How wonderful!

Your children have great names, I love them all esp. Sequoia and Cypress!

[indigolilybear]

yay, congrats Mellie!

BTW, BV, did you chose a name yet?? tell, tell.

[oshunmama]

Congrats on your little man!! And welcome to the earth, Cypress, we are so glad you're here!

[firecat]

sprinkle pocket - thanks for the info on the vitamins, as you can tell I haven't even started down the ttc road yet! I figured that's what they were and I will check them out.

asheville mama, are you in asheville nc??? I have a friend who lives there and dh and I are *thinking* about moving back there (we are both from NC and went to Appalachian State) in the next year or so. Kinda depends on our business we want to start and where we decide the best place to start it will be. I just love, NC esp the mountains!!

[Asheville Mama]

firecat, yep, we're in NC. We just moved here in Jan. but we love it...especially the birth/parenting environment. We moved from Pinehurst...which you may know, is a retirement community and not super kid friendly. Definitely not homebirth or (gasp) UC friendly!

So I feel liberated and supported and just so happy that we are here at this time in our lives. It's nice too because I teach Bradley classes and we are quite into natural health so we aren't the oddballs we were in our last town!

[rainbowmoon]

legal repercussions/cps?

what/when (if any) legal repercussions or cps involvement could happen surrounding a UC?

DH & I are just wondering what would happen in the event of a transfer (post birth) of the baby or if (god forbid) baby died at home?

I'm sorry to bring a negetaive topic into this thread but I've been wondering for awhile and have heard some scary things as well (that have happened to others) that make me nervous.

[rainbowmoon]

Happy Birthday Cypress Rain!!!!!!!!!