Beautifying Pumpkin Mylk

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of omega essential fatty acids. Along with balancing hormone levels , essential  fatty acids are known to help your skin glow.

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (first soak in 2 cups of water for 2-12 hours and rinse)
• 1/2 cup pitted dates (can substitute other sweetener)
• 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch sea salt
• 5 cups water

Put the pumpkin seeds, dates, vanilla bean, salt and water in the blend and belnd until smooth. Can strain through cheese cloth if desired.

Will keep for 4 days in the fridge.

from Ani's Raw Food Kitchen

From Shannon, mom of Margaret Norah, born January 2010

Dear Meredith,

From the very beginning you had confidence in my ability to have the baby.  As the pregnancy continued, you always listened to me, without judgment, and never once did I feel that I had to prove to you how I was taking care of myself or my baby.  You just trusted me.  I knew I needed to talk to you about my fears, and through our conversation, it was as if you opened the door for me to take charge of my body and baby.  I felt so empowered.  An amazing gift.  When I called to tell you I was in labor you were excited, and when you came to the house you gave me a kiss and told me I was doing fantastic.  It may seem so small to you,  just the way you are and do things, but it meant so much to me.  When I started pushing, you hadn't checked me and I remember thinking, "she hasn't checked me, I'm pushing and she doesn't seem too concerned...is she just trusting me?"  After all the work and conversations we had, old fear crept up still and you kept your word, still trusting me to do it on my own.  You always put the power back in my hands, walking with me not leading me.  Thank you.  The work leading up to, and the birth of Maggie has made me a mother.  Yes, I was a mother before, but now I feel stronger and more confident in a way I never have before.  The trust you instilled in me from the very beginning allowed me to find the trust within myself to become a mother again, fully and without doubt.  That is the best gift anyone could ask for.

Blizzard baby! The Emergence of Simone

The Emergence of Simone I never thought I would have a child.  Even as a young girl I would tell my parents and friends that I was never having children.  And I meant it.  Right up until the moment when the pregnancy test said positive…

Spring 2009.  The circumstances of my pregnancy were far from ideal.  The father wasn’t in the picture, my family lived miles away, and my friends lived in every major city but this one.  I was alone, scared, and pretty sure I had no idea what I was doing.

My first call to the doctor proved me right.  Where and with whom did I want to deliver?  Oh.  I would have to call back.  A quick search online and a hasty decision was made- I would deliver with the midwives in my ob/gyn’s office.   Appointment made, I went about my life as usual, only now tired and pregnant.

The next few months would prove to be challenging.  Family members and friends expressed their disappointment and clear disagreement with my choice to keep the pregnancy, something I was not prepared for nor equipped to deal with (oh, pregnancy hormones!).  Embarrassment and doubt over my situation began to creep into my own mind with each centimeter my belly crept out.  By the end of summer I no doubt was down-right depressed.   I still had no idea what I was doing.

As the leaves of fall began to turn, so did things with me.  My friend and future birthing partner, Sean, flew in from Brazil and we began attending birth classes together. I was beginning to feel that things might be okay.  On the second day of class, however, we toured the birthing center where I had planned to give birth.  The environment, while more relaxed than a hospital delivery room, was not at all what I had pictured. Upon leaving the class, I fell apart.  Having an ‘ideal’ birth was the one thing I had managed to still hold onto.  When I closed my eyes and envisioned it, it was warm, homey, welcoming, and filled with love and openness.  Not filled with nurses and hospital machines.  I wanted a home birth.

Sean, without my saying a word, must have sensed this.  He found Motherland Midwifery’s website and encouraged me to just look at it.  I did.  Two days later I decided it was worth a call.  I’m SO glad I did.  It was the warmth I needed for the impending winter…

Not only did Christy provide me with a feeling of kindness and acceptance, she made me excited about having a child.  I hadn’t given any thought to how I might raise my daughter, hadn’t thought about much beyond ‘oh my goodness I’m having a baby’.  The love of the process, the love of the mother and child oozed out of Christy.  It was intoxicating.  I began to get excited about the baby growing inside me and the possibilities that lay ahead.

Christy asked a lot of questions.  She knew more about my pregnancy in one visit than the other midwives had after 35 weeks of care.   She had suggestions for pre-birth, post-birth.  She had a library of dvd’s and books, websites, and even list-serves to support the progression into motherhood.  She gave advice and encouragement that I very much needed.  I began to soften.

And gain strength.  My mom was very verbal about her disapproval of my choice for a homebirth. Concerned for my safety, she offered the same objections that I’d met with countless others. Homebirth ain’t for everybody, but I knew it was for me. We’d done all the homework, weighed the risks, and were confident that we could do it the old-fashioned way with guidance from Christy.

Finally, the time was upon us.  After days of pre-labor contractions, I was not progressing. Sean and I were frustrated and tired. This being our first pregnancy, and first encounter with natural childbirth, our lack of experience was wearing away my confidence. I feared we’d have to go to the hospital to induce labor. My mom was on her way into town, and thus adding pressure to the situation.  We called Christy, told her what we were thinking, and asked her to come over. Christy arrived to a scene full of worry and discontent, but her patience was enough to soothe us through one more rough night.  We decided to postpone our surrender until the next day.

As it turned out, the wait was a short one.  My mom arrived as labor began to progress before midnight.  Christy returned, and labor continued smoothly until the next morning, when we welcomed my daughter, Simone Anais into this world.  She was beautiful, healthy, and strong.  And born into a room surrounded by warmth, openness, and love while outside the flurries of the season’s first blizzard touched down.  Christy, Meredith, Sean, and even my Mom had helped me realize my dream of giving birth.

I’ve grown so much in the last year, through pregnancy, birth, and now 3 months of motherhood. I have come to fully embrace my new role, and this new life with which I’ve been blessed.  The decision to give birth naturally at home opened a door to my motherly intuition that I know will guide me through the journey ahead.  Thanks to all of those who made it happen!

Deanne Allegro

P.S. I’ve even heard that my mom actually thought the whole experience was ‘cool’ and brags about being there to her friends.

The Birth of Uma Pai

The moon at the time of Uma’s birth was nearing fullness. Of course, the moon, which has influenced many a woman’s labor over the thousands of years of birthing, played a strong role in my birth experience. Two weeks before the “due date,” my husband had gone out to Los Angeles to surprise his dad for his 60th birthday. I said he may not get the chance to see his dad for a long time and things weren’t going to happen with the birth for a while. I was so wrong.

I started contractions the day after he left. It’s a good thing Meredith was so gently firm about telling him to come back because he caught the last flight out that would have allowed him to come home and help get the last minute stuff done and sleep the tiniest bit before the birth. All in all, I had over two days of contractions.

On the night of the full moon, I found them growing stronger. I wavered in that early time, not sure I could handle them, feeling them getting away from me. It was at that point that there came into my mind the image of a river. I lay down in the river and let the water rush over me, the rhythm of the water becoming the rhythm of the contraction. I felt on top of the contractions again and able to breathe using the river’s rhythm. A few hours later, the contractions got to to the point that I needed to start making noise to get inside them, some low moans. Twice I felt nauseated and threw up in the bathroom during contractions. My husband woke up from hearing me and started timing them. It was around 3:15 in the morning and the contractions were steadily four minutes apart. I got up again to throw up, and, while doing so, my water broke. My husband called Meredith who said she was on her way.

I’m not sure when Janelle showed up (Janelle herself nearing the end of her pregnancy with baby Ami), but Meredith arrived around four or a bit after. They filled the birth tub. I was in bed all that time. I thought to myself that I could be in for another day at this intensity. I wasn’t sure I could handle that, but I needed to focus to breathe through the contractions and use my visualization so I put my mind to the present moment. I was proud of myself for snapping myself out of it; surely the preparation and midwifery care were key.

At some point I got out of bed because I couldn’t lie down any more. The contractions were definitely strong at this point and close together. Now, I was visualizing a wave with my focus on the crest, staying on top of that crest while the power of the wave of water propelled me ahead. I thought to myself “Open.” “Release.” I didn’t think about getting in the tub yet. Instead, I needed my husband to hold me tight so I could hang a bit while we swayed and I moaned (more loudly and longer all the time). He was giving me coconut water to drink on and off to keep hydrated and energized. Those little bursts of flavor felt so nourishing, exactly what I needed. I couldn’t ask for them though; it just wasn’t on my mind, so I am grateful that he was there to support me and keep those things in mind so I could focus on my visualization, breathing and mantras.

I remember thinking that what I felt was not pain, that it was intense, but I could handle it so it must be that the really hard stuff hadn’t come yet. I remember feeling so grateful to be in my home and wondering why anyone would go to the hospital. I also remember asking Meredith and my husband if I was doing the right thing. It was soon after that, during one of the contractions, that I felt a shift. A sudden urge to bear down and push came over me. I thought, “Wow, this is early to feel like pushing.” I asked Meredith if it was alright for me to feel like pushing so early in the process. No one had checked me and told me how far along I was-- I never got one vaginal exam, for which I am deeply grateful -- but Meredith said to go with what my body was telling me. She must have known from experience what my sounds were telling her.

Around that point someone asked if I wanted to get in the tub. That helped, but things were really intense here because I was starting to feel like pushing at the end of the contractions. That was overwhelming, the urge to push, but that burning was the first thing nearing pain that I had felt so far. I wanted to take it slow because tearing was the one thing I had wanted to avoid, so I would push and back off.

All this time, Janelle was checking Uma’s heartbeat with the Doppler, and she was going strong. Meredith was really more present with me through this part in just the way I needed, just as she left me to labor alone earlier. I could sense her and hear her support. Somewhere in me I felt safe and able to let go because I knew and trusted that she was there for me and my baby. At some point, Meredith said I could reach down and feel the head. This was real! I was so happy!

The pushing had just begun though. This was the hardest part. At one point, I looked out the window and saw that it was getting light outside. The sun was rising, and the full moon was still in the sky. In those special celestial moments, Uma was still crowning. Meredith wanted me to push out her head so her heart rate didn’t stay lowered too long from the pressure. So, I pushed as hard as I could bear while she helped the head come out. I felt such relief from that pressure, but with the next urge I was back to pushing again and out came the body. I was overwhelmed with what I had just done and kept saying, “I did it! I can’t believe I did it!” I was transported. I felt such strong love for her, to hold her after all that time.

I got out of the tub and into bed in about five steps. How glorious for my baby to be born in our very own bedroom where we were surrounded by home with all its comforts. Gopinath cut the umbilical cord, a thick thing! Uma nursed within an hour of birth. The midwives left to give us some time as a new family to love each other up. Meredith took Uma after about an hour and a half to weigh and measure and do all the little reflex checks right in our bed. The midwives cleaned up. Randy brought us much needed food. The midwives hugged us and departed not nearly as long after their arrival as anyone might have expected -- a four hour birth! After they left we all slept for six hours--our first family nap!

My spirit swells with joy and gratitude for the whole blessed experience, from pregnancy to birth. I am grateful to my husband for being my calm, steady, and yet barely detectable rock and for believing in me deep down to his core. I know I felt that confidence and that it fed my own. I am grateful to Meredith. Her consistent, calm confidence in me, in birth itself, made my journey through miscarriage, pregnancy, and birth free of fear and doubt...truly joyous and the deep spiritual journey I wished for! Indeed I am grateful to my entire support team: Janelle for being my birth preparation coach and cheerleader. Each person allowed me to find my own way with no intervention or interruption. Through the care Meredith and Janelle gave me throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum visits emails and phone calls, they respected me and my baby as the reflections of divinity that we represent. They respected the birth process for the deep, natural and spiritual journey of transformation that is. Thanks to them, my birth experience is a cherished gift that will keep on giving.

And her name is...

Itzela Domenica Santoro Wiley8lb 5oz 20 inches 8/12/2009 @ 5:09pm

Itzela a Spanish name meaning 'protected one'- pronounced as ee-tsela. A name we searched for after our experience together & born from our gratitude that she was protected & able to join us safely despite the perilous challenge with her short cord.

Domenica was Christy's Italian grandmother's middle name & it means 'Belonging to God'. Gram's birthday was on July 21st-looking back we laugh at our thinking 'maybe the baby will come on Gram's birthday!'

We have an eye toward calling the baby 'Zela' although a bunch of nicknames are being born each day! Zela means 'sacred' in Greek & also derives from having zeal, zest & passion for life!

It's a big name for a little girl but she's already more than matching it & it fits her perfectly!

Look forward to sharing more about this wild ride when as we settle into our babymoon...thanks for the love & support of our family!

Love,

Christy, Martin & Itzela

Baby is here!

Christy and Martin’s long awaited “pumpkin” is finally here!  We know that many of you have been anxiously awaiting the big news, so we wanted to post this brief update on the website. Christy delivered her 8lb 5oz daughter (name soon to be announced) on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 5:09 pm.  She entered the world bright eyed, alert and telling her story to all who were listening!

After weeks of starts and stops, 3 days of labor at home, and complete dilation for a very long time, "pumpkin" wasn't descending despite Christy’s most valiant efforts.  She had a “Mama’s intuition” that something wasn't right, because with the strongest, bearing down contractions, the baby seemed to be moving up in her belly instead of down.

Wednesday morning, the decision was made to go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania .  After more labor there, including 3+ hours of pitocin augmentation, it became clear that baby could not make her way safely into the world by being pushed out, and the decision was finally made to deliver by c-section.  Lo and behold, the baby's cord was very short - less than a foot long in total.  The doctors couldn't stop commenting on it, and it was the shortest cord Christy and the other midwives present had ever seen.  Poor little one was doing all she could but couldn't descend because there wasn’t enough length for her to make it out vaginally.  Thankfully, she had a super healthy placenta and mom and baby are doing great.  Daddy Martin is absolutely over the moon and adorable with the baby and is so proud of Christy.

Christy feels confident that she did everything possible to have her baby at home, vaginally, and it just wasn't in the cards for her this time.  Those who were with her were moved and inspired by her strength and determination. As her dear friend and midwife, Carrie Kimball, put it, “I wanted to share that as her midwife, being with Christy was the most incredible birth experience I have had. Her strength, determination and commitment was something to behold…My story is simply one of gratitude and thanks at being a part of such a profound process with a beautiful ending.”

It is an epic birth story.

The happy family arrived home on Sunday and is doing great. Baby is gorgeous, alert and nursing well and Christy and Martin are both overjoyed and enjoying the start of their babymoon. The outpouring of love and support they have received has been such a blessing.  They are so thankful for the incredible community of families we have here! The generosity everyone has demonstrated with meals, well wishes, offers of help and also gifts has been so appreciated and received in love and gratitude.

Visit Langdon Photography's blog to see some photos of the new family when they arrived home on Sunday night!

Here is a gallery of a few favorite images. Check back soon for more.

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Nicholas Rocco's Birth-a late pregnancy switch to homebirth!

At about 35 weeks I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have this baby in a hospital anymore.  After meeting with my doula and seeing the movie  ”The Business of Being Born” I realized I had other options.  I didn’t have much time, though, and finding a midwife was tricky.  Luckily I found Meredith & Christy.  They were very warm & receptive and I felt instantly at ease with them.My labor started at night and I tried to sleep through the contractions.  At about 6am I felt a funny popping in my lower abdomen and then a slow trickle between my legs.  My husband Tod & I then started timing the contractions.   They were about eight minutes apart.  I called Meredith to let her know, she said to try and eat some breakfast and call back when they got a little closer.   I decided to hop in the shower first.  After standing up for about five minutes the contractions suddenly seemed like they were coming closer and stronger.  I had Tod call Meredith back and let her know.

Meredith, Christy and Ally, my doula, all arrived within forty five minutes.     Tod and I were both relieved to see them, partly because we knew he wouldn’t be delivering the baby in the bathtub.  The most comfortable position for me at this time was lying down on the bed.   The contractions were further apart and less intense like this.  Christy gently reminded me that we want the contractions because that’s what helps the baby come out.  So at that I decided to stand up and walk around.  Yes that did help!  After the birthing pool was set up I got into it and it felt so nice.  The warm water really helped.   Christy recommended different positions for me to try and Meredith would check the baby’s heart rate regularly.  The contractions were intense and close together but I breathed through each one.  I listened intently and tried to execute the directions given by Meredith and Christy knowing that my cooperation would speed up this process and I could soon meet my baby.  Meredith gave me a soothing lower back massage with some scented oil.  I remember Christy saying “ That’s it you’re done with that contraction you’ll never have to do that one again”  That really helped me to get through each one.  At one point I felt a light stinging in my lower abdomen. Meredith said the baby was coming and she could see my bag in the water.  I couldn’t’ believe how fast everything was going. I got out of the pool and tried squatting on a birthing stool but I was too tired and just wanted to lie down on the bed.  The contractions changed to a bearing down type feeling that made me want to push.   The pushing felt good.  It didn’t seem like it took that long either.  The next thing I knew I had a beautiful, dark haired, lil’ man on my belly.   My husband and I cried and cried.  All I kept saying was thank you, thank you, thank you to Meredith & Christy for all they had done to help me deliver this beautiful baby in the comfort of our home.  It was a magical, miraculous, euphoric, wonderful moment I’ll never forget and I’m so glad they were a part of it.

The Birth of Luke

It's true that you never forget your birth experience.  Even if you have a rubbish memory like myself, you'll remember every last detail.  When my daughter Olive was born at Pennsylvania hospital in 2007.  Her actual birth was incredible, but I hated the cold feel of the hospital.  I hated having to be so present in my labor to avoid unnecessary medical interventions.  When I discovered I was pregnant again I knew with my whole heart that my baby would be born at home.  I had met Christy prior to Olive's birth. My husband and I had just relocated to the States from England and unfortunately our insurance wouldn't cover home birth and neither would our savings account so hospital it had to be. We knew then that the 2nd time around Christy would be catching our baby.  Christy knew this too and we kept in touch throughout my pregnancy with Olive and as soon as I saw the plus sign on the stick I was practically on the phone.  I used to dread my appointments at the hospital, never knowing who I would see or how long it would take.  This time it was always Christy and our appointments didn't even feel like appointments, more like visits with a friend.   It was amazing to know that Christy would be there through it all.  The prenatal, the birth and for post natal support.

When labor finally began at 40 weeks, 5 days around 10pm I called Christy to let her know things were moving along. I wanted to give her the heads up so she could get some sleep in case I might need to call her in the middle of the night.  She thought it would be a good idea to come over right then to see how things were going.  She was here before I knew it to find me standing up rocking my hips side to side, the only "comfortable" position I could find.   Contractions were only 7 minutes apart but they were strong while I was having them.  I asked if we should fill up the tub but we agreed it might be too soon for that.  She and Steve did blow it up so that it would be ready when it was time to fill it.  Meanwhile I kept having contractions and getting annoyed that they weren't getting closer together.  Christy offered to check me and even though I was sure I must be 7cms I was only 4cm.  I desperately wanted a plan.  So Christy suggested I lie down for a half hour or so, then I could walk up and down the stairs and we'd fill the tub and see where we'd be at.  So Steve and I crashed into bed and Christy went downstairs to snooze on the couch.

He fell instantly to sleep. I did too for a little while, before waking with the most painful contraction yet.  I screamed out in pain and although I didn't wake my husband, I did wake my midwife.  Christy turned on the light and said "how ya doing there mama?"  All at once I was in action mode: "My water is going to break!" "Fill up the tub!" "Get my sister!" Steve scrambled to fit the hose to the sink.  Christy told him to get Karen up and managed to get me out of bed an into the bathroom.  I kept going on about the tub and how we needed to fill it and Christy gently let me know that there wasn't time to fill the tub but that I was going to meet my baby really soon.  My water conveniently broke right on the toilet and I screamed that I had to push.

Our bathroom is super tiny so Christy thought we should go back into the bedroom.  I told her I was worried that I might squish the baby's head but she told me that wouldn't happen and into the bedroom we went.  My body began pushing and after a few quick pushes Christy's hands caught our baby.  My husband let out a whoop "It's a boy! It's a boy!" and I looked down at the baby beneath me in utter disbelief that once again my body had brought forth new life.  The very best part of homebirth was only just beginning.  We snuggled up with our baby boy in our bed, in our room, in our home.

Olive had woken up by this point and my sister brought her in to meet her baby brother Luke.   With wonder she took in her new baby brother, almost afraid to touch him.  That moment was so sweet, our little family so complete. I spent the next two weeks on "babymoon".  Something I had originally thought I would dread, I relished.  Two weeks spent memorizing little hands, little feet, nourishing his little body was indeed the best thing for us both.  It seemed even more important to incorporate this bonding time with my son, because before we knew it life was back into the everyday chaos being a mother brings. The support I had from Christy was so important and special and different from my previous experience.  I feel so lucky to have experienced homebirth and how joyful it can be.

Birth Poem

A surge

Like summer thunder

Pounded the earth

Beneath my squatting legs,

Tearing open the seam

In the unseen curtain

Between dimensions

Of earth and spirit.

The elders peered with knowing curiosity

From the other side

To witness the sacred re-entry

Of one of their own.

Layers of logic and grace melt

In the swelter of sweat,

Removing the coat of commoner

To reveal the warrior within.

Heavy air vibrates

With the urgent call to fight

Another surge pounds,

Its power rushing upward

Through my feet, up my sturdy legs

And the warrior lets out her cry!

Within this shaft of mystery

Connecting heaven to earth beneath

I exist between dimensions

Chosen for this task.

Midwife calls me back into time

Partner holds tight

So the power can’t take me.

The bettles rises

In a ring of fire

Push, push, sweat and bleed

Soul and body unite and thrive

He is here, we have won,

The battle ceases instantly.

Energy stills

Into a blanket of peace.

At a moment one become two,

But still one, mother-child,

I give him my breast

He drinks.

by Charmaine Rusin,

mom of Reese, New Years Baby 2009 &

expecting baby number 2 January 2011

Recommended Reading List

Pregnancy
A Child is Born. By Lennart Nilsson & Lars Hamberger, Delta, 2004.
Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. By Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Cindy Crawford, St. Martin’s Griffin, 2004.
Having a Baby, Naturally. By Peggy O’Mara. Atria, 2003.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The complete guide. By Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, and Ann Keppler, Meadowbrook, 2001.
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth. By Sheila Kitzinger, Knopf, 2003.
The Naturally Health Pregnancy: The essential guide to nutritional and botanical medicine for the childbearing year. By Shonda Parker, Loyal Publishing, 1998.
The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, nutrition, & other holistic choices. By Aviva Jill Romm, Ten Speed Press, 2003.

Birth
Birthing From Within: An extraordinary guide to childbirth preparation. By Pam England, Partera Press, 1998.
Gentle Birth Choices: A guide to making informed decisions about birthing centers, birth attendants, water birth, home birth, hospital birth. By Barbara Harper, Inner Traditions, 1994.
Heart & Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. By Elizabeth Davis, Celestial Arts, 2004.
Homebirth. By Sheila Kitzinger, DK Pub, 1991.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. By Ina May Gaskin, Bantam Books, 2003.
Special Delivery: A guide to creating the birth you want for you and your baby. By Rahima Baldwin, Celestial Arts, 1990.
The Birth Partner: Everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth. By Penny Simkin, Harvard Common Press, 2007.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth. By Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler, Perigee, 1999.

After the Baby’s Birth
After the Baby’s Birth: A complete guide for postpartum women. By Robin Lim, Ten Speed Press, 2001.
Natural Health After Birth: The complete guide to postpartum wellness. By Aviva Jill Romm, Healing Arts Press, 2002.
The Year After Childbirth: Enjoying your body, your relationships, and yourself in your baby’s first year. By Sheila Kitzinger, Fireside, 1996.

Breastfeeding
The Breastfeeding Café: Mothers share the joys, challenges, and secrets of nursing. By Barbara Behrmann, The University of Michigan Press, 2005.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion. By Kathleen Huggins, Harvard Common Press, 1999.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America. By Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman, Prima Lifestyles, 2000.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. By La Leche League International, Plume, 2004.

Parenting
The Attachment Parenting Book: A commonsense guide to understanding and nurturing your child. By William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown, 2001
Everyday Blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting. By Myland and Jon Kabat-Zinn, Hyperion, 1998
Natural Family Living: The Mothering Magazine guide to parenting. By Peggy O’Mara, Atria, 2000.
Naturally Health Babies & Children: A commonsense guide to herbal remedies, nutrition, and health. By Aviva Jill Romm, Ten Speed Press, 2003.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night. By Elizabeth Pantley, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
The Baby Book: Everything you need to know about your baby from birth to age two. By William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown, 2003.

Books for Children
I Watched My Brother Being Born! Including children at birth. By Anne Vondruska and Katarina Vondruska, Trafford Publishing, 2005.
Nasce um Bebe… Naturalmente (A Baby is Born… Naturally). By Naoli Vinaver, Mercuryo, 2005.
Welcome With Love. By Jenni Overend, Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 1999.
My Mommy’s Midwife. By Trish Payne and Hayley Holland.
A Ride on Mother’s Back: A day of baby carrying around the world. By Emery Bernhard, Gulliver Books, 1996.
I’m Made of Mama’s Milk. By Mary Olsen.
Breastmilk Makes My Tummy Yummy. By Cecilia Moen, Midsummer Press, 1999.

Herbs/Homeopathy
A Woman’s Book of Herbs: The healing power of natural remedies. By Deb Soule, Citadel Press, 1995.
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. By Stephen Cummings, Tarcher, 1997.
Herbal Healing for Women. By Rosemary Gladstar, Fireside, 1993.
Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby’s First Year. By Miranda Castro, St. Martin’s Press, 1993.
Homeopathic Medicine at Home: Natural remedies for everyday ailments and minor injuries. By Maesimund Panos, Tarcher, 1981.
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants. By Dana Ullman, Tarcher, 1992.
Mommy Diagnostics: The naturally healthy family’s guide to herbs and whole foods for health. By Shonda Parker, Loyal Publishing, 1999.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal: A guide to living life with energy, health, and vitality. By Rosemary Gladstar, Storey Publishing, 2001.
The Herbal for Mother and Child: Essential home remedies for a healthy pregnancy, a trouble-free birth and everyday childhood ailments. By Anne McIntyre, Thorsons, 2003.
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. By Susun Weed, Ash Tree Publishing, 1985. *Note: This is a classic herbal for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, fertility, and birth control. However, some recommended herbs have since become endangered and only cultivated varieties should be used.

Women’s Health/Fertility
The Garden of Fertility: A guide to charting your fertility signals to prevent or achieve pregnancy – naturally – and to gauge your reproductive health. By Katie Singer, Avery, 2004.
Our Bodies, Ourselves: A new edition for a new era. By The Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, Touchstone, 2005.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The definitive guide to natural birth control, pregnancy achievement, and reproductive health. By Toni Weschler, Collins, 2001.

Pumpkin Quinoa Pudding

I thought that you might like to try this recipe. I love using quinoa because it is a complete protein all by itself. This is the original recipe that I got, but I think that if you follow it as is, it would be somewhat bland and savory. I wanted mine sweeter and I was using honey so I acually ended up doubling th honey as well as the spice. I added sliced almonds, some chpped walnuts, raisins, and cut up dried figs. You can jazz it up in your own way, but it is a healthy side dish or snack. I warmed it up in the oven for breakfast for a few days. Loved it. Cook 1 c. quinoa in 2 c. water. (rinse quinoa before cooking. combine with water and simmer about 20 minutes.) When done cooking, let cool. Beat 2 eggs (mine were jumbo, I'd use 3 if yours are large) Stir into eggs: 2/3 c. coconut milk (or any kind of milk would work) 3 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 4 tbsp. raisins or other fruit 2 tbsp. nuts (omit if you prefer) 2 tbsp. sweetner of your choice (agave nectar, honey, molasses, maple syrup) 1 c. canned pumpkin (if you don't have this on hand just up the eggs to 4) Mix with qunioa. Put in pie dish or other ovenproof dish. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

from Rachel, mom of Pardes, born August 2007

I loved being pregnant and I loved giving birth. Part of that was how well I felt throughout and the joy and anticipation of bringing our daughter into this world, and part of that was how well supported my husband and I felt by our midwives. We looked forward to our monthly and then weekly visits with Christy, to our conversations, and to the things she would teach us about my ever changing body and the upcoming birth. Throughout the birth Christy was a calming presence. She was always there when I needed her, but seemed to know just when to disappear so that I felt that it was just my husband and I in the room birthing together. She was gentle, encouraging, empowering and helped me to bring into being the birth experience I wanted for myself and my family.

from Jessica, mom of Amiya, born December 2007

If you had told me a few years ago that I was going to give birth to my child at home, I would have thought you were insane. In fact when I first spoke to an woman who was studying to become a midwife, she asked me what was the first thing I thought of, when I heard the word "homebirth". "Messy" I said and "unsafe" I added. But after some explanation on her part, and some research on my part, I quickly learned that a home birth was precisely the way I wanted to bring my baby into the world. Because although all birth is "messy", a homebirth with a caring, attentive and well-trained midwife like Christy was the best environment I could be in.

Christy gave me all the care, knowledge, understanding, and support that I needed during my pregnancy. Having her advice just a phone call or an email away was invaluable. She helped to ensure I was prepared both physically and emotionally for the things I was experiencing and all of those that were to come. Christy's knowledge of homeopathy and yoga played a key role in my care, and I am forever grateful for her.

from Brandi, mom of Sayer, born July 2007

We chose to have a homebirth for our third child for so many reasons I would need a book to explain them all. Having had this beautiful experience and reflecting upon it on my son’s first birthday has given me new clarity on our choice. For me, creating life is awe-inspiring and profoundly humbling all in the same breath. As a vessel for this miracle I believe it is my responsibility and honor to bring life into the world in the most serene, secure and nurturing environment as possible. For my older children, both girls, I also wanted to give to them the opportunity to be present to welcome their brother into the world. Beyond being present, I wanted to offer to them a vision of birth uncomplicated and interrupted by the outside world. I wanted them to understand that the exhausting, arduous and exhilarating journey of birth is not scary, unknown or something to fear. My oldest daughter, Curran, who was five at the time of Sayer’s birth, said to me the morning after, “Mommy, you were like a tiger hunting for food.” It was incredible to realize that she saw in her mommy such strength. Sayer entered the world with grace and a sense of tranquility that is still present with him on a daily basis. I believe that has to do with who he is and how he came into the world. When a woman who believes in herself and then surrounds herself with people, like Christy, who believe in birth and believe in her— the beauty that comes from it is magical.

from Lea Yeager, mom of Lucia, born July 2005 & Keira, born Jan 2008

I truly consider having my babies at home with Christy as one of the greatest blessings of my life. The care she gave to me, my babies and my husband during pregnancy, labor and in the weeks afterwards was everything I could ask for; knowledgeable, comprehensive, accessible and open-hearted. How can I explain how moved to tears I feel to remember my children being born into such a peaceful, healthy environment or the feeling of safety and comfort of being in my own home with women who I felt truly cared for our well-being and who worked so hard to ensure it? I am forever grateful for the way that my children entered the world and for my own entry into motherhood.

Midwife in Morocco!: Birth Story

Lila Canela Fina Tazi born at home in water Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 4:03 p.m. 7 lb. 7 oz (3.5 kg) and 20 inches long Wow! I can't believe that I am already writing the birth story! What an amazing day! Sadek's father predicted that today would be the day the baby would be born-- he was right! The three of us had an amazing Friday and Saturday together, and I felt our relationship as midwife and family really reached a new level of trust and connection. I had been planning to stay overnight Saturday at their house, but got invited to a party in Dar Bouazza, so adjusted my plan to go back to the beach. I joked with Aurelia and Sadek, that often when I have a party I want to go to, someone goes into labor and so that this was a good sign! They drove me to the mosque on the edge of the city and Jess picked me up there and we all kissed goodbye, promising to call the next morning before I went with Jess to El Jadida (a town about an hour south of Dar Bouazza) on Sunday morning to make sure no contractions were happening.

Sure enough, the midwife at the party mojo worked! Contractions and a small gush of fluid started around 3:30 am. But the contractions were about 15 minutes apart to start and so Aurelia rested in bed between them. They got closer but continued to be on the short side and of light-moderate intensity until dawn. She called me around 8 am to share the news and make sure I didn't head out of town! We chatted a bit on the phone and agreed it was too early for me to come and to check back in a couple hours and to go outside for a walk. Around 11:00 am we spoke again and contractions had spaced out a bit to every 10 minutes but were getting stronger and longer-- good signs! I suggested they eat a good lunch, try to rest and touch base in an hour or two. At 1 p.m. we talked again and things were still moving forward. We agreed I wouldn't rush up there but would start making my way to check in on the baby, get my things set up and etc. Aurelia had been listening to the baby with the fetoscope I had left with her and she was moving a lot and doing great. I had commented that often things don't really pick up until dark sets in, especially for first time moms so had emphasized the need to rest and eat and be patient.

I updated Trish and we agreed to leave in an hour or so. I went for a short walk on the beach and was in the midst of my third sun salutation when the phone rang again and I knew that it was time to go. Sure enough Sadek said that the contractions had really intensified and could I please come now. Of course! I loaded my things in Amine's car as Amine had taken the kids to his mother's with Trish's car. Somehow, Trish thought that she had a copy of the key to their second car, but upon trying it realized it was actually an old key to a car they no longer have! We didn't have a key to the car-- visions of taking a taxi blanca-- the crazy long distance taxi's that go up and down the road ran through my head, and my adrenaline started pumping. Every birth needs a little drama. Luckily our neighbor Jess had no plans since we had been planning to go to El Jadida together, so he let us use his car (a very cool little BMW- thanks Jess!). We were on our way!

We arrived shortly after 2 pm to find Aurelia in active labor and Sadek filling up the birth pool. I had brought the UK "Birth Pool in a Box" inflatable tub that I had rented from Mothering & More in Reading, and this would be the first birth I had used that tub. Per as usual, the task of filling the tub and managing the hot and cold water balance, pots on the stove, etc. was a bit distracting and kept dad busy for a bit. Sadek asked when I thought the baby would come and I answered truthfully that I didn't know, maybe in 3 hours, maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow morning. My feeling was that this was going very fast, but I've been fooled before so I certainly knew better than to make predictions! Aurelia was doing so beautifully--positively glowing, walking through the contractions, breathing, and sometime lying on her side in bed. I did a little massage to help her remember to relax her shoulders and she realized that the cold of my hands (cold hands-warm heart!) felt good so we started using a cool cloth on her shoulders and face and head which proved to be very useful for the rest of the labor.

The contractions were coming about every 3-4 minutes at this point and were quite strong-getting stronger each time. Aurelia was saying "I love the breaks!" and radiantly smiling, knowing the day was here when she was to meet her baby! As the strength of the contractions increased, and it very much looked to me like she was approaching transition, she started moaning a bit more and I think Sadek started to get a little worried, as very often happens around this point for the father. Trish (who was our lady in waiting in the kitchen in case I or we needed help) and I both assured him that all was normal and Aurelia was doing beautifully! Aurelia was so present- so in the present moment with each breath, using her breath as her guide, vocalizing low and open sounds like she had learned in yoga, in her pregnancy singing classes, that we had practiced together.

It was such an honor to witness. After the birth, she commented that last night she really tried to just let go and accept and surrender to the baby coming when she was ready. We had been talking a good amount about the balance between letting the baby know she was ready and could come, and not feeling like she was forcing it. She said she just consciously let go of wanting it to happen now-- of wanting me to get to travel, to stop keeping the secret of the homebirth from her family, to stop feeling impatient for the baby to arrive, etc. and trust that it would all unfold when and how it was supposed to! This was such a great lesson in how letting go of trying to control or force something allows it to just flow into your life.

Though the tub was only half full, I suggested Aurelia get in while we continued to fill it as things were building very quickly and I thought it might help take the edge off the pain and intensity. She loved the tub and we continued to fill it with very hot and then cold water until a point that I felt it would be fine if the baby was born there as I didn't want Sadek to be distracted anymore with that task. Aurelia was handling the fairly continuous flow of contractions amazingly well. Brightly smiling as each rush began to wane, wide-eyed and glowing in between. Sadek was behind her outside the tub for now, giving love and words of support and I was in front of her, helping her ground with eye contact and helping her bring her vocalizations lower and deeper. She said she felt very safe and surrounded by love with me in the front and Sadek in the back. After a couple particularly intense contractions, something shifted and it seemed that her body started to push a bit. She was on her knees, hips wide open working with gravity, opening for her baby, Wawita (their pet name for the baby in utero- that Aurelia learned as a name for baby when she lived in Chile) She was so in tune with exactly where the baby was the what the different sensations she was feeling were--for a first time mom this was pretty incredible.

After a half hour or so, I suggested Sadek get in the tub-- partly to allow him to be closer to the experience, partly to help physically support Aurelia and partly because I knew he would help bring the water up to a level I'd feel more comfortable with for the actual birth! Once he got in the tub, it became clear that Aurelia's body was spontaneously pushing. And she loved it-- she felt here baby moving down, felt her body working! We moaned and ohm-ed through the contractions together and gazed deeply into each other's eyes (Monique, if you are reading this, it was very much like at your birth--gazing into the eyes of the eternity of women who had given birth through the ages), I was smiling at her nodding, saying "this is bringing your baby, don't be afraid, you are doing it, your baby is going to be born soon". Thankfully I had brought my new underwater flashlight, so I could easily see what was going on. Aurelia had the natural instinct to give some counter-pressure at the top of her labia, and could feel the baby's head bulging. At one point I reached down to feel the baby's head right there and assure her everything was all right-- that was the closest we came to any vaginal exam.

Within 10 minutes of sensing the shift of her body pushing, we started to see the baby's head--I shared with them "your baby has black hair!", which was very exciting for mama and papa. Aurelia had changed from a hands and knees squat to sitting back semi-reclined towards Sadek. The baby was coming and she knew it! With each contraction I could see more of the baby's head through her labia, more of the hair peeking out. With Sadek supporting her from behind, I offered reassurance that all was okay and that she was doing this beautifully and did not need to be afraid. Every contraction ended with a deep breath and a smile--Aurelia has a smile and radiance that lit up the room, it was such a gift to be sitting right in front of her as she gave birth. As she felt the baby coming down with each contraction and then retreating between, I explained that soon the baby would stay down in between contractions and then be born, and that she was stretching beautifully and this was giving her perineum a chance to stretch around the baby's head. As she and Sadek had recently started doing perineal massage, she understood those sensations. The whole baby's head was bulging in her perineum-- it was a perfect birth video "live". After the birth, Aurelia commented that she was so happy we had watched several birth videos together, including some that very closely showing the actual crowning and birth as it helped her visualize what was happening and understand what her body was doing.

The crown of fire began and this little being was about to join us! She was stretching beautifully and with one last push, the crowning of the head, eyes, nose, mouth. I reached in to check for the cord, and there was a loop around the neck that I couldn't reduce over the head so I just held it over the shoulder- which was presenting within 20 seconds of the head being born. And then, came the baby! The cord was around the neck, under and around the arm and around the trunk of the body, thick, pulsating and beautiful. I tumbled the baby out of the cord and brought placed the baby on her mama! It was 4:03 p.m. on January 21, 2007.

Wawita was completely covered in thick white vernix-- more than I have seen on a baby, especially a baby at term, in a long, long time, making her look even more new, a creature from the spirit world not yet fully transitioned to our realm. It was amazing to see her unfold and transform over the next hours into her full baby self. (Sadek kept remarking through the evening--"She's changed!" "She's changed again!" It was so sweet.) Such a fast and intense labor--everything happened so quickly I think we were all a bit stunned. Could it be true? The baby was born ten days after my arrival, after we had connected and bonded and belly casted, baby was born in the tub with Sadek in the water with her, with lovely music playing (which I found out afterwards was shamanic music from Peru that was very special to Aurelia), diffuse late afternoon light, the fire in the fireplace. It was all as we had visualized and hoped for, but had done our best not to be attached to and it has manifested that way! Amazing! Baby in her arms, with wide present eyes and an even bigger smile, Aurelia explored her little baby. After a few minutes she looked at my kind of tripped out and blissed out and said that she couldn't really feel present, that so much energy was coarsing through her. I told her not to worry, just breath and do whatever she needed, that she would come back to earth soon enough.

I ran out to the kitchen to "tell" Trish that the baby was born. She of course had heard everything and was sitting in the kitchen with tears in her eyes. She came in to meet the baby for a couple minutes soon as Sadek and Aurelia thanked her for all her help and support. This little pink flower, Lila, continued to blossom and unfold before our eyes. She gazed wide-eyed up at her mama, and was so calm and content, reacting to her parents voices and singing, taking this whole birth thing in slowly and peacefully. Her cord was pulsing strongly for over 10 minutes.

If there is anything I am proud about in this experience, it was my excellent multi-tasking as midwife and birth photographer. While I didn't get the actual birth since I had to catch the baby, I got some great shots during labor and immediately after the birth. Within minutes of the birth, Sadek and Aurelia were singing their welcome song to the baby, whose pet name on the outside became Canela Fina "the best cinnamon". "Hola Wawita, bienvenida, Canela Fina" and I tried the video function on my digital camera for the first time since Christmas day and shot a very sweet 45 seconds of this family discovering each other, loving each other, honoring the birth of their beautiful family with the music from Peru in the background. There had been some bleeding right at the birth, which in the tub looks like a lot (like food coloring in water) but all within normal. After a half-hour, I cut the cord and we planned to have Aurelia squat next to the tub to birth the placenta which has separated. Sadek held his little girl skin to skin and brought her to the bedroom and Aurelia birthed the placenta once I promised her that it really, really, wouldn't feel like the baby being born! The placenta plopped out and mama joined baby in the bedroom. It was an interesting placenta-- I forgot to take a photo after I examined it and put it in the freezer-- it had an extra area extending in to the sack from the main disc, kinda like a stem off an apple or strawberry. But it was all there and very healthy.

The baby latched right away in the bedroom. Calls to family disclosing the exciting news as well as the home waterbirth were made to Sadek and Aurelia's parents and siblings. Trish and I laughed as we heard them explain in French-- "no we are not at the clinic. The baby was born in water at home. We had a sage femme (midwife in French) extrodinaire!" All were excited, if a bit taken aback by the news of the location and manner of the birth. Aurelia's father put their sentiments best when he said, "It sounds like it was wonderful and beautiful and I'm so glad I didn't know about it beforehand." Aurelia was a perfect example of the sentiment that "women birth as they live." Her approach to life is peaceful, aware, present, creative and beautiful and that was all reflected in her approach to the pregnancy, her openness to the journey with this little being, her beauty and grace during labor and trust in her body and her baby.

What a gorgeous vision of love and family union to behold--and what a contrast to what is available to women here, even more stark than what I feel when I'm at a birth in the U.S. Trish remarked later-- how sad that this will probably be the only baby born at home (planned) in Casablanca this year. It would have been so wrong for this birth to have taken place in a clinic here--it just couldn't have happened, and Aurelia's deep, clear knowing of that is what got a midwife she never met from Philadelphia to come to Morocco to help her safely fulfill her vision of a different way to birth her baby. Of course, it is only because they have considerable resources that this was able to happen, but I have no doubt that this mama is going to spread the word and do the work over time of helping to create options for women here...I've already encouraged her to think about how to start teaching childbirth classes once her baby is a bit older-- she has a gift, great intuition and instincts and such a passion and belief in her body and all women's bodies to give birth--perhaps she will become a midwife herself?

vamos a ver...

Twenty-one years ago, a seed was planted…

Midwifery Today, Issue 82, Summer 2007 Twenty-one years ago, a seed was planted…

Twenty-one years ago my mom's water broke while we were at the annual Memorial Day Weekend Johnson Family Pig Roast. Our family of 5 piled into the station wagon and headed home. We were full of anticipation and excitement as we pulled out our stopwatches (we were all competitive swimmers at the time) and started timing mom's contractions. About 18 hours later (don’t worry, we didn’t submit my mom to timing contractions the whole time!) on May 26, 1985, my strong and steady mother gave birth to my sister, Michelle Leigh, in the new birthing suite at our local hospital. And I was there. And thus, in retrospect, a seed was planted and I began my path to becoming a midwife. And so, here I am.

The night before Michelle’s 21st birthday, I decided to try to find the essay I wrote my senior year in high school reflecting on the impact and experience of being present for Michelle's birth—this was the same essay that I polished and edited to use as my writing sample for my college applications. While I was unable to find the college application version, I did find a binder of my autobiographical essays from AP English, including a draft of the essay about Michelle's birth (along with lots of other interesting stories from my life up until that point!).

Given the work I do now as a homebirth midwife, and the beliefs I hold close to my heart about the enduring and powerful impact of birth on women, men, babies, children and families, I wanted to share this story. In doing so I hope to honor and celebrate my sister's 21 years on the planet, my parents' openness in letting their young children share in that experience, as well as the beginning of my journey to be 'with woman', and to revel in the miracle of birth and its transformative power as a frequent but always magical part of my day-to-day life.

Below is that essay from September 1990, written when I had just turned seventeen, while the midwife in me was quietly gestating, waiting to bloom.

September 1990

Sometimes a person undergoes an experience that has such a dramatic effect on her life that it indirectly influences every action that person takes from that time forward. Often a person doesn’t have this experience until late in life, and in many cases not at all. However, when I was only eleven years old I experienced such an event when I witnessed the miracle of my baby sister Michelle’s birth.

The last few weeks before the baby was due, I began to have second thoughts about whether I really wanted to be there for the birth. My friends had frightened me so much with their stories about how gory and disgusting it would be, that I almost decided to wait outside until everything was all cleaned up and the baby was in my mother’s arms. Luckily, I didn’t listen to my friends.

Contrary to my peers’ beliefs, Michelle’s birth wasn’t gross. It wasn’t dirty, bizarre or anything of that sort. Rather, it was amazing. It was awesome in the true sense of the word, the most naturally magnificent event that ever could occur. Michelle wasn’t bright red, wrinkled and bloody as I was told all newborns are. Instead she was pink, smooth and almost immaculately clean. After the doctor checked her out, counted her fingers and toes, he put the baby in my mother’s arms and we all gathered around her. Then my brother and my grandmother came in from outside the birthing room, and we all were around the bed marveling at the new addition to our family. The love and unity in that room at that time was so intense and so genuine, I have yet to experience it to such an extensive degree and I’m not sure if I ever will again.

Within the first hour of her life I was able to hold Michelle in my arms. I was very nervous! I was sitting in a big yellow vinyl chair and I remember my father carrying her over to me. He told me to support her neck and to be gentle and then he said something to the effect of: “Michelle, meet your big sister Christy. Christy, meet your new baby sister Michelle.” Then he placed her in my arms and left us together to get to become acquainted. As soon as I felt that little body in my arms my nervousness was replaced by a complete sense of peace. I looked down at Michelle’s face and forgot that anything bad had ever happened to me and got completely entangled in the inherent goodness of that moment. I smiled brightly and as I looked around the room, beaming, a chill went down my spine. My father had already fallen asleep on the couch, exhausted from the 18-hour labor. Next to him, my aunt, who had also stayed up all night with my mother, likewise slumbered. My famished mother was in the midst of trying to break the world record for eating a large cheese steak. Laurie and Frankie, my other siblings, were seated on either side of my grandmother. For once this seating arrangement was not an attempt to hinder them from fighting, but just the most convenient way to engage in a group hug. Everyone in the room was in a state of complete and total harmony. After one final glance at my mother (she had finished the cheese steak by now), my eyes moved back to Michelle’s face, and I found she had fallen asleep. I began to cry.

To this day I’m not really sure why I cried. I don’t think that it was solely because of sheer happiness. I guess I was overwhelmed in realizing that in just one hour Michelle had brought so much love into my life and into the life of my entire family, without even trying. As great as that love was in that moment it seems almost insignificant when contrasted to the tremendous amount of love Michelle has given me since then. Her existence has made such a great difference in my life that I honestly don’t know what kind of person I would be today had she never been born. She brings an innocent perspective to everything that I am involved in, which often causes me to re-evaluate my decisions and straighten out my priorities. I love her so much that it sometimes hurts. The day of her birth has been the happiest day of my life so far, and I know that whatever the future holds for me, nothing will ever take the place of that day in my heart.

Making Informed Choices

Making informed choices As a family choosing a homebirth and midwifery care, you will need to make a number of choices and decisions during your pregnancy, labor and birth, as well as for your baby. As your midwife, I want to equip you with the information you need to make informed choices. Making informed choices involves weighing the benefits and risks of any decision or course of action while taking into account your intuition, personal experience, individual circumstances, advice and opinions of trusted sources and evidence-based practice.

The value of a risk-based approach Statistics and research are one tool in the decision-making process. When considering statistics, it is important to remember that they reflect a population-based risk assessment. They consider what occurs across a given population. In many ways, in the reality of an individual's life or one's family, it does not matter if the odds are very great that nothing bad will happen if you are the one in some great number that statistic applies to, as well as vice-versa.

The value of evidence-based research I also want to emphasize that, while research is important, the vast majority of the research around issues and practice pertaining to childbirth to date is designed, implemented and reported through the lens of the medical model of care, and thus reflects the assumptions, biases and limitations of that model. Often, the studies from which we currently have to choose in making evidence-based decisions as midwives, parents, and consumers are from their inception asking the wrong questions and grounded in a different paradigm and belief system than that of families and providers choosing homebirth. Therefore, while they can and should be considered in decision-making, the weight you give them should be taken in that context and be balanced by the other influences and factors named above.

Making your own choices Some decisions are cut and dry; others choices involve navigating through much more of a gray area. I ask that in reading through any informed choice document, including those from our practice, you remind yourself why you are choosing a homebirth and why you are following this path and journey for your pregnancy. I also encourage this same approach when you are reading an article on a specific topic, or engaging in a discussion about decisions for you, your baby and family.

I don't believe there are right or wrong answers to any given question that applies to everyone. I support you in making informed choices. This is a cornerstone of my practice philosophy, as is the very real belief that you know what is best for you and your baby and family, and that you are responsible for those decisions. No matter what you choose, as your midwife, I can make no guarantees as to the outcome, but rather continue to offer my deep trust in you as the birthing woman and my belief in the beautifully designed process of birth.

from Sarah & Scott, parents of Sylvia, born November 2007

Having Christy as our midwife was a true blessing in our life. We immediately felt listened to and cared for by Christy during our initial consultation, and this type of care continued throughout our pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. After choosing Christy as our midwife, I started sharing the news of having a homebirth, and working with Christy. Almost everyone I told who knew Christy was so happy for us, telling us how they felt she was such an amazing person who was full of integrity, and who also walked her talk. This is exactly what we felt, and experienced from Christy. We were full of "issues" during our pregnancy and postpartum period, and Christy guided us through them gracefully with her patience, knowledge, and innate wisdom. I have to say that all of her recommendations were right on. During our birth she was very present, and open to making our experience be just the way we wanted it. She had no agenda but to be open to doing what we needed and requested during the birth, and was again great at being in tune with what we needed from moment to moment in order to get our baby out. I feel we could write a chapter on Christy and what she means to us, and how she helped us throughout our pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. She is integrity, love, joy, openess, and just plain amazing at what she does. We would hands down use Christy again, and highly recommend her to anyone interested in having homebirth. You, your family, and your baby will be in good hands.

~Sarah & Scott, Parents to Sienna, 7, and Sylvia 8 months

from Jennifer, mom of Jessica, born November 2005

Christy Santoro helped bring our second child into the world. This birth was what I have called a “redemption” because it followed the very difficult birth of my son in a hospital birthing suite situation that was not as natural as it should have been. The fear that I felt during labor with my first child (due to environment) was absolutely absent with the calm support of Christy in my own living room, surrounded by my own family and doula. This home birth experience left me wanting to have more babies, where I had previously decided against it!

I am happy to recommend Christy Santoro to all of my friends and clients who are interested in a calm and truly natural childbirth experience.

Jennifer Phillips, ND