We women have the amazing opportunity to nurture a little one from conception, then then birth him or her into the world.  For me personally, this process has included suffering.  However, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I tremendously value how I was able to touch the unseen spiritual realm, and the maturity and growth that I gained through it.

Three weeks ago I gave birth to my second baby, Noah John Hesed.  It was an intense 12 hours of difficult work since he was posterior (just like my first child).  I found myself fighting discouragement during the process.  “Why is this happening again?” I would moan inwardly.  “I worked so hard to avoid a posterior labor!”

I’m halfway through my 37th week of pregnancy and I’m starting to feel ready to have this baby!  I feel much better than I did with my first pregnancy (probably due to more exercise, more protein, more veggies, AND chiropractic care.)  But I’m still thankful that I won’t be pregnant forever!

“Are you nervous about labor?”  I’ve been asked several times.  The answer is no.  Not at all, just excited!  The birth supplies are ready for the home birth and now I’m just preparing my heart.

God has been speaking to me about his role in this upcoming birth.

I will give you thanks, for you answered me, and have become my deliverer. – Psalm 118:21 (Net Bible)

God is showing me that HE is the deliverer.

The Lord is on my side as my helper. – Psalm 118:7 (Net Bible)

HE is among those who support me.  Isn’t he so kind?

This morning I went to a chiropractor, Dr. Erin Anderson, recommended to me by my midwife.  I was extremely impressed!  She is humble, sweet, gentle, kind, and knowledgeable.  And she has eyes in her fingers!

My midwife recommended I go to a chiropractor because I’m in my last trimester of pregnancy and the baby has been in some strange positions.  I went last week to my regular chiropractor.  During the adjustment I was pleased to see that the baby moved from being sideweays/oblique to being head-down.

Today, one week later, I visited Dr. Erin, who actually specializes in pregnant women.  I’m a lot more comfortable with her since she is female.  I’m also happy to have found a chiropractor who would be willing to attend my home birth.

I’ve seen 4 separate chiropractors while pregnant, but this lady takes the cake.  She knows a pregnant woman’s body and really has a natural gift for what she does.  I was amazed that she knew where all my sore spots were, and why they were sore.  Today she noted that the left side of my uterus was tensed up.  After massaging it for a couple of minutes the baby actually moved further down.  I’m a very happy momma since my lungs have more room to breathe now!

Dr. Erin recently moved her practice from Canada to the Twin Cities.  For all of you pregnant ladies in the Minneapolis area, I highly recommend her.  Her website is www.lifelonghealthchiropractic.com.

This is a good article that I came across about home birth.  The point is, home birth is a safe and excellent option for women who are low-risk and willing to take care of themselves, as well as find a qualified traditional midwife.

Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America

Kenneth C Johnson, senior epidemiologist¹, Betty-Anne Daviss, project manager²

¹ Surveillance and Risk Assessment Division, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, PL 6702A, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A OK9, ² Safe Motherhood/Newborn Initiative, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ottawa, Canada

Correspondence to: K C Johnson ken_lcdc_johnson@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Objective To evaluate the safety of home births in North America involving direct entry midwives, in jurisdictions where the practice is not well integrated into the healthcare system.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Setting All home births involving certified professional midwives across the United States (98% of cohort) and Canada, 2000.

Participants All 5418 women expecting to deliver in 2000 supported by midwives with a common certification and who planned to deliver at home when labour began.