Prior to the birth of my sixth child, I had five hospital births. Three were unmedicated, two were medicated (rupture of membranes, pitocin, epidural), all vaginal deliveries with no complications. I've always loved and appreciated physiological labor and birth, so I had considered using a birth center before, but for some reason or another it never worked out. One thing I never really considered was a home birth. I think when you get into the groove with one kind of birth, y

It is common in our system for a doctor or midwife to recommend that a woman's water (amniotic sac) be artificially broken during labor if it hasn't broken on its own. The idea is that it will quicken the labor and cause the baby to be born faster. Often, women will even be erroneously and unethically promised this. This procedure is technically termed an amniotomy. Sometimes it's also referred to as AROM (artificial rupture of membranes), "rupturing her", or "breaking her wa

THE BIRTH OF MY FIRST BABY: My first pregnancy was labeled “high-risk,” and for good medical reason. Around 35 weeks my blood pressure began climbing, and by 37 weeks I had all the classic signs of preeclampsia: severe swelling, rapid weight gain from fluid retention, protein in my urine, and hypertension. At the same time, my husband had just accepted a new job and we were moving three hours away at the last minute - without a new provider or birth plan in place in our new c

Understanding the possible options for a cesarean birth is important for the mother in this situation to feel as empowered as possible and create a personalized, dignified experience for both her and her baby. Learn what options you might have for a gentle, family-centered cesarean.

“I need you to get out of the water.” I looked up at my midwife, cradling one fresh, wrinkled wet baby on my stomach above where the...

Our daughter, Jaedalia Anne Estrada, entered the world on a Friday night at 9:53 p.m., in the most holy and peaceful way. She was born at...