And now, a special announcement

My personal feelings, as a woman and a doula, are that every woman should absolutely be the one who is making the decisions when it comes to how they birth their child. I do not feel that they should be intimidated by doctors who use big words as scare tactics to achieve their own agenda, which on any given day may include getting home in time to go golfing.

I'm realistic in my practice, and know that not every woman wants to have the amazing medication free water birth that I had. I know that not every woman wants to experience the pain of childbirth, or the exhileration of natural birth. Some women want epidurals and that's ok, some women don't want to try for a V-BAC, and that's ok, some women don't want a homebirth, or to breastfeed, or to go to a birth center, and all of these choices are ok. What I do not think is ok, is that women are being forced into situations that they don't feel comfortable with. It's not ok to lead a woman to distrust her body. And so it is imperitive that we give the choice back to the mother.

This means making all choices viable. Including homebirth. If you have birthed with a midwife, or birthed in a setting other than the typical hospital/OB scenario, your voice is strong and valuable. Take the time to write your story here. Maternity care is an important part of health care reform, and it needs help, your help.

*steps off soap box, tips hat to Maria Dolorico*