Tricia is now at full term with the pregnancy. Today we went to Carol and were told that she is 80% effaced and 2 centimeters dilated. This means she is good and ready to go. For you single people, this will mean a lot. I have been reading books about natural birth and deliveries without medical intervention.

We wanted to make sure that labor and childbirth is as blissful a process as we can make it. Being in a hospital will certainly not make it that way. Plus doctors will not listen to a woman; they have been to medical school they know much more about what a woman is feeling... than the woman herself. All living beings can give birth, large or small. Why do we need episiotomies and tranquillizers? Have our bodies evolved into something where a little bit of pain is too much to bear?

Now, I am not belittling the engorgement and the discomfort a woman goes through during labor. Of course it isn't easy. Can you tell me something that is easy and the rewards that fulfilling?? Well, I can't come up with anything. If you have something to say, I'd love to hear it.

The plan is that Tricia will do a water birth. We have ordered the heated tub and all the paraphernalia that we will need during the time. We have packed for a hospital if need be, but our desire is to have the birth at home with our family present with familiar surroundings. If that is not peaceful, what is? We will have a midwife present... Carol and two of her birthing assistants. Carol has assisted with over 600 births. Now that is a number that gives me some security. She knows what she is doing and she has had to go to the hospital for medical intervention 3% of the time. That tells me she will not hesitate to bring in medical professionals if there are any complications.

I did not always think home births are a good idea. I thought about all the possibilities for things to go wrong. But as I researched birthing and all the options, I realized that women are much safer at home than at a hospital. You would think that is just crazy talk right? Well, let’s work that out. A doctor makes 100% off a caesarian section than a vaginal birth. So, if we do some simple math... if a doctor does 30% C-sections, which is small number in many hospitals... he makes 30% more money than if all the women delivered vaginally. The tranquillizers are also quite expensive. Hospitals make 100% on the cost of the medication and sometimes much more... so; we are now looking at a profession that needs to make money for themselves, the hospitals they work for, the staff of that hospital, pharma companies and so much more... the mind boggles when you think of how mechanical the money making is.

When you look at someone like Carol, who is a certified midwife, she is someone who supports a husband being around. She supports a woman’s needs. She understands that gravity can help with the descent of a baby. Yes, squatting, leaning over and other positions are great. Many countries in Asia and Africa still practice such positions. She does not look at labor as something that needs to have a timeline. Labor in different women is quite different. Some might have a quick labor where as, some might take longer than other. Our bodies are different.

Yes, I am very happy with how things are going... Trish is still quite mobile. Driving, walking, shopping... she does it all. She eats very healthily and gets her full nourishment from all the supplements.

# posted by carrotcurries.com @ 4:49:00 PM