Preparing For The New Addition!

Time certainly seems to fly by..I can't believe we are are more than half way through January already. In 8-10 weeks our newest addition will be here, just in time to welcome spring!

Chris and I have come to a big yet exciting decision regarding the birth of Eden. Many of you may know that my last three births were all attended by a midwife at the Cleveland Clinic birthing center. All went great with little intervention and no pain meds. Every birth is a beautiful miraculous event however, it's much more rewarding when we are able to experience it with out drugs and unnecessary medical intervention.


A few months ago I approached Angie, a woman at our church that is a Douala training to be a midwife. After meeting with Angie, Chris and I decided to hire her to be there during the labor, at the same time we started to contemplate a home birth. (I'm including more info about Douala's and Midwives at the med of this blog). I did a lot of research and Chris and I met with a certified home birth midwife. We prayed about it and have decided to birth Eden at home!


We are all really excited to experience this birth in the comfort of our own home. The midwife we have selected has been delivering babies for 15 years and we feel very comfortable with her. We have also chosen to have a birthing tub if I decide to give birth in the water. Many people are uninformed and don't realize the benefits of birthing at home compared to birthing in the hospital. Ricki Lake recently put out a program called The Business of Being Born.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8h0SkPcs2U definitely check out the trailer!


The kids are all really excited about this as well. My sister Monica has agreed to come and help with the kids while I am in labor (pray it doesn't happen in the middle of a school day for her). The kids will not be in the room when the birth takes place, but of course they will be able to meet her right after. Pray for us as we begin to prepare not only for the birth but also the change a little one will bring to our family. I will keep you updated!

Doula's: http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php
Midwives: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/homebirthchoice.asp