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Sixteen Things Frida’s Mother Loved about Her Birth at Home
by Sara 

1.  I loved that my labor began at 39 weeks and that I didn't have to wait until close to 42 like I had with Lucy.   

2.  I loved that unlike with Lucy's birth, my water broke first.  It was interesting to experience that physically and emotionally. And it allowed me to have a calm, leisurely morning with my family as I waited for contractions to begin.  We made cupcakes, walked to the grocery store, made a tee-shirt for Frida, laughed, ate, and prepared the house and ourselves for the work ahead.   

3.  I loved when my husband took our daughter to the park, and I had the luxury of laying in bed, feeling mild contractions, enjoying the peace and serenity of the morning, and daydreaming about our baby's arrival.
   
3.  I loved that my sister in law, who was at the time completing her studies to become a Certified Nurse Midwife, hopped on a train from NYC at 7am and was here by noon, to support me during labor and to assist our midwife.   

4.  I loved knowing that I didn't have to go anywhere and that I was already where I needed to be – at home.   


5.  I loved how relaxed and gentle our midwife was, and how attentive she was to me.   I loved how calm my husband was.   


6.  I loved when our midwife told my husband, "I think you should set up the tub now.", and how she looked at me quizzically every time I said, "I think it's still early.  I have a long way to go."  I could tell she felt that things were moving faster than I seemed to think they were, and it was encouraging to me.   


7.  I loved holding my older daughter during contractions and smelling her hair – it smelled so good, like baby shampoo!   I loved that she was not separated from us on this important day in the life of our family. 
  
8.  I loved hearing the quiet click of my friend/doula Deidre's camera in the background and knowing that eventually I would get to look at the beautiful pictures of this birth.   


9.  I loved getting to laugh, joke around, smile, and celebrate with my husband, sister in law, doula, midwives, and other family members during labor.  It felt like a party as much as it felt like a birth.  It felt special and ordinary all at once.   


10.  I loved singing loudly during labor.  It felt so good and I was amazed at how well it took away my pain.  


11.  I loved that I never had any cervical checks, during pregnancy or labor.  This really helped me feel that the labor was happening inside my body, in a private space.  I never felt exposed or vulnerable.  Nor did I have to worry about being disappointed if I wasn't dilated "enough".  The labor was progressing and it was allowed to progress as it wanted to.  This was very liberating.   


12.  I loved the moment when I got into the tub and felt the warm water surround me and release a lot of my pain.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I had been required to get out of the tub before pushing with my first birth, and getting to stay in the tub this time was wonderful.   


13.  I loved that my pushing this time was completely spontaneous.  For me, spontaneous pushing was much more effective and intuitive than coached pushing in the hospital had been.   


14.  I loved that this time, having given birth before, I knew that what I was feeling was normal and healthy, even if it hurt.  I knew that I was okay and that it would be over and that I'd have my baby at the end, and that the best thing I could do was to relax and work my way through the sensations the best I could.    


15.  I love that I got to catch Frida as she emerged into the water, and bring her to my chest right away.      


16.  I love that even those family members and friends who were skeptical of us having a home birth told us afterwards how lovely, safe, healthy, and amazing they felt Frida's birth had been.  It was a beautiful birth.  

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