I created this page because I wanted somewhere for people to share a few words without it being related to a specific blog entry.
So maybe you
- Have a blog or know of a website you’d like to share with us.
- Have a birth story or a homebirth question.
- Are a midwife or a student midwife and would like to discuss some aspect of midwifery.
- Have some ideas that would improve my blog.
Or maybe you are just passing by and want to say hi.
No matter what I’d love to hear from you.
Lisa
Thank you for finally having a real web presence!
I look forward to reading lots more.
Hey Lisa
You are a warrior for women, babies and their partners. I thankyou for your contribution to SA and Australia will not go unoticed and has impacted so many lives already. Thanks for a wonderful birth nearly two whole years ago. Love your guts
Dani, Dom and Isaac xxx
Love the site Lisa! So fabulous – I almost want to become pregga again just to have the whole amazing, empowering and nuturing experience that you helped facilitate for Greg, Tilly and me. i would def encourage all half interested in home birth to INVESTIGATE MORE!!!! I found it to be the most fabulous, safe, empowering and wonderful experience. I’m preparing to write our Birth Story – will fwd to you when done. lots of love.
Jess
xXX
Lisa! Next baby of mine, you’re catching it!!!
Dduwies ymysg benywod.
Hi — I just discovered your blog this morning, and I’m quite enjoying it. Especially the pictures!
Your a true Angel! So worthy of fighting this tough Maternity Battle, and dispelling so many wrong myths. Your a god-send for all of us Mothers and Midwives xoxox Rose
Hello! from Burkina Faso. I just bookmarked your site. What fabulous courage – - I’m looking forward to reading your soapbox. Truth in birth is quite new in BF as this developing country is being colonized by biotech birth notions. I hope to take courage from your example to speak up more often and more loudly.
with gratitude,
Maggie
maiasong. Thank you for reading. It’s always amazing to find true birth keepers like yourself in the most unusual places. I was I’m afraid unaware of BF before today. There again I’m from Wales originally and that’s a small country too.
Tell us more about your experiences.
MORE BIRTH STORIES, MORE BIRTH STORIES, I’VE GOTTA HAVE MORE BIRTH STORIES!!! (WINK) I AM ADDICTED TO READING THEM AND I HAVE READ JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ON YOUR SITE-SO INFORMATIVE AND GREAT TO READ-I AM ADDICTED TO YOUR HOME BIRTH STORIES-I LOVE TO READ THEM FROM THE MOTHERS VIEW AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE MIDWIVES VIEW SOMETIME (WINK AGAIN) I HOPE YOU KEEP SHININ’ ON!!! to introduce myself, I am just barely getting around the bloggin world,very new to it, but if you are interested in checking me out, please feel free. My blog is http://www.tie-dyeddoula.blogspot.com and my web is http://www.babymoondoulas.org
Peace!!
ssealing@cfaith.com
Hi Lisa! I was directed to your site by a friend and have just spent like the last 4 or so hours reading everything!
I have just found out I am expecting my 4th child in Dec.
My 1st birth was in a normal labour ward – and not at all what I wanted. Unfortunately at that stage I just took what hospital staff said! My 2nd & 3rd were both waterbirths in the birthing centre at Flinders. They were simply fabulous!
This time round I am hoping to go a homebirth so your site has been wonderful!
Thank you so much for your info!
I think you are making a great decision considering a homebirth. Feel free to get in touch with me at anytime. If you’d like to chat to others who have had an independent midwifery care, our coffee morning on the 7th ( next wednesday) at The Brown dog, Goodwood Road, is a great place to catch up in a totally informal and relaxed way.
Your blog is just so beautiful!! What has prompted me to write, though, is that I dreamed I was attending a birth last night, and you were there! Wild, huh? In my dream, I thought it odd that you had flown all the way from Australia to attend this birth, but it didn’t seem to phase you in my dream.
Your blog is by far my favorite midwifery blog on the net. Thank you!!!!
Thanks Rad midwife. I am waiting until you are feeling up to writing once more on your own blog.
xxx
Hey Lisa,
Awesome site!! Now I can see why we haven’t been seeing you on ozmid much lately. Great work!
Hi Lisa,
I have a question, I hope you don’t mind.
I have high blood pressure, as does my mum. I am fit, average weight/height (62kg/172cm)and have normal cholesterol levels. I take medication for the high BP, however I find as I am getting older (29) it is improving. On days when I am super relaxed, I have low BP! This has been for around a year now so maybe there is hope. Anyway, my question is: Is it dangerous for me to have a baby. I ask this, because I have had at least 5 women in their mid 60’s (aunties or family friends-some who have been hospital midwives) express concern over me wanting to have a baby, let alone out of a hospital! Is it true that I will have to lie in bed for 9 months and even with that, still risk my life to start a family? I’m sure it’s a silly question but I am interested in your point of view of this issue. Thank you very much for a fantastic blog by the way.
Alice
Hi there, essential hypertension that is already controlled by medication only needs to be monitored during pregnancy like any other. It is not the same as pre eclampsia. You are at a slightly higher risk of getting pre eclampsia but really if you are having regular checks then you would know as you went along if a problem was brewing. Better to deal with it as it arises than worry about it in advance. The risk is between 2 and 11% which is still a high chance of not getting a problem and shouldn’t stop you from planning the birth you want.
Quite often you get an initial lowering of bp in pregnancy with a raise at the end. Your midwife will just look at it regularly and can collaborate with specialists if it was any sort of issue.
I also wanted to add, looking at your diet and fitness health is really important during your pregnancy, being proactive about getting advice through natural sources such as a naturopath can help your overall health.
Hi Lisa,
Carly here from JB;)
Love this Blog!
Such important information for women.
Just wanted to ask how you added pdf files?
Thanks
Hi Carly, I got an account with scribd uploaded them there and then linked to them.
Bon voyage Lisa!! I hope you remembered to put your knitting away before you got on the plane!
Bon Voyage, Lisa. I hope you remembered to put your knitting away before you got on the plane!
I would love for you to put some info up on twin births!! anything you’ve got….
I’m so impressed with the attitude towards birth on this site.
I really think the hospital attitude needs to change for low risk pregnancies. I’m not ready for kids yet, but I will really consider home birth/minimal intervention.
I want to thank you and all the families that have shared their birth stories through your website.
I’ve been slowly working my way through your posts over the last couple of weeks and have been inspired to really thoroughly re-consider what I “know” about birth/pregnancy, and in the process have been learning so much about myself.
Thank you for sharing yourself and your craft so freely. You’ve given a couple, thinking about starting a family in the future, options that we didn’t know we had and we’re eternally grateful!
Hello Lisa!
I found your absolutely amazing blog when I googled on ”resuscitation”.
I am a Swedish grandmother who has spent the last 18 months, since I attended my granddaughter`s hospital birth in April 07, trying to convince all people in Sweden who are responsible for the routines in maternity hospitals to stop early cord clamping – and finally I have succeeded!!!
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsvt.se%2Fsvt%2Fjsp%2FCrosslink.jsp%3Fd%3D22620%26a%3D1282845%26lid%3Dpuff_1282858%26lpos%3Drubrik&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&sl=sv&tl=en
Unfortunatley the national guidelines for cord clamping , witch were presented last Friday, do not include resuscitation with intact cord. So my crusade against early cord clamping continues until even this will be included.
Today I put a link to the resuscitation contribution on your blog into my own Swedish blog http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/15613/perma/996953/
And even on a family community http://www.familjeliv.se/Forum-2-13/m36407096.html
, where I since last year have informed expectant parent on the risks on early cord clamping , I today put up 3 of your blog contributions – the breech births and the absolutely amazing twin birth.
I hope you don´t mind.
Blessings
Linda Morge
lindamorge@hotmail.com
Thank you for your mail Linda, I’m more than happy that you used some of my posts.
Lisa
Thank you for your answer Lisa. I´m glad you didn’t mind that I used some of your posts, and that you instead are happy
I got a mail today from an obstetrician who had seen the pics of the baby who was resuscitated, and she wondered why the baby was still so pale when it had started breathing, and wanted me to ask you if you’ve got any pictures of this baby when it has turned pink.
Linda
The full set of pics were taken before 1min. At one min and 20 secs baby was totally pink.
http://www.homebirth.net.au/2008/03/breech-variation-of-normal.html this is the birth. Lovely baby picture at the end of the post
Thanks so much Lisa
I forwarded your answer to the Obstetrician (Judy Mercer. I have frequent mail contact with her and the other people in http://www.birth-brain-injury.org/ since last summer), and now comes her next question:
“That is great. If she could add one picture of the baby fully recovered (she
should be pinker than her mom) that would add a great deal to her pictorial evidence of full recovery on an intact cord after distress.
Maybe she can do this.
Thank so much Linda”
Linda
I was more than happy to show the pictures of the baby recovered nicely. Tell the Ob that although I thank her for her contribution I am perfectly happy with my post just as it is. As I said the baby was pink by 1min. An apgar of 4 or 5 is fairly common with a breech, this was not really distress. Apgar at 1min and 20 secs was fine. As you can see the woman didn’t even need to leave the water.
Thankyou so much for this blog – It has made me REALLY want a home birth next time! (Now just to convince hubby! Any tips?) Not pregnant at moment, but I love all the stories and info on here!
Just get a midwife to come and speak with you both when you are pregnant. There is a great dad a homebirth post on here. He must read it!!
I can see you are in South Australia, we have our coffee morning tomorrow why don’t you come along. Children are welcome and you don’t have to be pregnant, many are not, lots of people just come because we are all so nice.
it’s from 9.30 at Serves you right on Unley Road.
Hi Lisa,
Sorry in advance for the length of this letter.
I’ve been one of your very loyal readers since the beginning of this year, and like you, I’m passionate about homebirth.
I’m now 2-month pregnant (1st baby), and I would love a homebirth (I’m very healthy). Problem is that my partner is scared and would love a birth centre instead (“in case anything goes wrong we would already be at the hospital, and would save time”). The closest hospital is only a 10-15 minute drive from home. He read some stories of babies dying during homebirths and thinks that he would never forgive himself if anything went wrong at home.
We met an independent midwife specialised in homebirth and had a very good contact with her. And to show him I was open minded, I accepted to visit the local birth centre. We explained our differences of view to the birth centre midwife. She answered “well, have a homebirth then, it’s as safe as a birth centre, and trust your wife’s body”. Of course I was very happy to hear that and my partner wasn’t…
It wasn’t enough to convince my partner.
I’m so sad, and don’t want to compromise. We are going through a big crisis because of this. And of course my partner’s family doesn’t encourage the idea of a homebirth
and their opinion is important to him.
Lisa, do you have any experience of partners changing their mind during pregnancy (birth centre to homebirth)? Do you have any ideas of what we could do to help him work on his fears?
Thanks for your time Lisa. And keep going with this fantastic blog!
Milie from Sydney
Quite Honestly Millie, the men are the most skeptical to start with and the best advocates afterwards. There is a great book by Dave Vernon called Men at birth, maybe you could get him to read it. I also think the post seven secrets of a homebirth dad which is on this blog is a must read. Did you tell your husband that babies die at the hospital, you would never forgive yourself then either. You don’t leave risk at the door when you enter the hospital you take it with you and add so much more.
Maybe you could get him to talk to some partners who have been at homebirths and get them to talk with him. Ask the midwife I’m sure she could find some.
Men always have the same concerns and questions, what equipment do you bring?what is something goes wrong? what if she’s bleeding to death? It is better if you could find a man to talk this through with him.
Dear Lisa,
Thanks a lot for your reply and your support.
I’ll definitely buy Men at birth, and my partner is happy to talk to contacts (provided by my midwife) who had homebirths…and were transfered to the hospital.
I’m sure it will be great for him to share his feelings with some men.
We have now chosen a midwife and I am about to start prenatal care. Hopefully my partner will finally relax about homebirth and trust me…
Good luck Lisa for all these births happening at the same time!
Milie
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for all your helpful information and support published in your blog and given to me when talking to you.
I am very thankful that I got to meet you. You are a very important source of information for me being pregnant for the first time and therefore my constant reassurance that my gut feelings about myself and my abilities as a mum are right. And it is a great pleasure for me to read not only your posts but especially your comments referring to OB and other practices.
I have read your recent post about the article published in the Australian referring to the government pushing for more acceptance of midwifery services with huge interest. I really hope that some more people, doctors, government and insurances start using their gut feeling and brain soon to return to better practices for giving birth to healthy babies and to make life so much easier for expecting mums.
I really hope that more pregnant women will remember their women’s wisdom and will be lucky enough to be supported by you or one of your colleagues.
Hello and thank you for all your wonderful work. A friend of mine passed your blog onto me and I love it. I wanted to pass on a blog about homebirth from a father to be’s perspective:
http://www.unorthodoxdad.com
Enjoy!
I found your blog recently and have spent days pouring over it. I will be having my first homebirth soon and was raised (in the U.S.A.) with a strong sense of freedom and responsibility only to feel “violated” of all that when my first baby was born in a hospital. I swore that would never happen again. I wish we could clone you Lisa and sprinkle you everywhere in the States. The OB’s wouldn’t know what hit them. I wish this type of care was a freedom we could exercise here as our statistics look dim in comparison with other countries. I do have a midwife, but if complications arise, usually there are no midwives in the hospitals upon transfer, and sometimes women get the c-sec simply as a “punishment” for having been “stupid enough to choose a midwife and homebirth.” They don’t consider anything else but their bruised pride because they weren’t chosen first (or the God complex, great article). Keep up the good work, the stories on this site and your articles are absolutely inspirational and beautiful, I’m so glad I found it.
-CM
USA
CM thanks for your thoughts and good birthy vibes for your journey. Please let me know how you go.
Lisa
Hi Lisa –
) and also breech vaginal deliveries. Could you suggest some books that would be good to read?
Im a midwifery student, interested in homebirth (having had one
Thanks
Dear,
I am Md.Shahnur Rahman moving in Adelaide along with my wife from BANGLADESH under 3 years PROVISIONAL VISA (Subclass 475) within May-August 2009.Good news is, My wife is caring & currently with 7th weeks of pregnancy.
Can we get any support from you in this state(We ve no medicare/insurance)? If we get so, would you please inform us the amount we need to arrange for the total process?
Waiting for your kind response.
Thanks.
Hi, I certainly could support you. There is no medicare number for my services even if you are a citizen. If you want to email me that would be lovely lisa@jelikin.org
Ah, Lisa. Thank you. Some times I feel like I am going insane. I’ve never spent much time at the doctor, my mum brought me up to believe in my body’s ability to heal itself – as such, I’ve married a naturopath and my sister is one too. I’m 32 weeks pregnant now and am fortunate to be having a home birth through the Community Midwifery Program in WA… Reflecting on the extent to which the medical profession controls women’s bodies reminds me of a very powerful scene from a film – by French director Catherine Breillat – I think it is called Romance. It was a jump cut from a man ejaculating on a prostitute’s stomach to an OB squeezing gel on a pregnant woman’s stomach before an ultrasound… hmmm. Anyway… cheers again… and vive la revolution!
Hi Lisa,
First of all can I just say you have an awesome website and I thankyou for that. I am planning to have a home birth when i’m pregnant (yes not even pregnant yet but I like to be organised). I’m not sure what exactly made me think about home birth because no body ever really talks about it. It seemed like it didn’t even exist as an option. But i’m glad I have researched it as it has just made me more passionate about homebirth. I am yet to find a homebirth midwife that services my area. But i guess I’ll wait till i’m pregnant to go that far.
Lisa I also wanted to ask you home you go about becoming a homebirth midwife. I am a nurse at present and am wanting to study midwifery however i think I may become frustrated if made to train in the hospital setting given so many unecessary interventions. So am wondering if there is anyway to get to train just in homebirth midwifery. If you can direct me in any way it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again Lisa for such an informative website that i’m sure so many people like me appreciate.
Hi there,
at the moment there is no other legal way to train as a midwife.
You could always email me at lisa@jelikin.org if you want to chat.
or ring me 08 83980120
Hi Lisa, I read some of the stories on your site and they're awesome. I'm 19 weeks pregnant with my first and for the past 2 or so months I've been thinking of a home birth. Unfortunately for this "project" I'm living in Romania (some country in Europe I'm not sure you even heard of), and as far as I know it's quite possible I won't be able to find a midwife or doctor to assist me at home. Here EVERYONE goes to the hospital (except maybe in some remote village in the mountains), I'm not sure official midwifes exist in this country. Mostly everyone I told about this idea went "you're completely nuts !". I'm not exactly sure why I'm writing to you, I suppose I'm just hoping for a bit of encouragement
. If you have the time maybe we can talk sometimes. Thanks for your time, wish you and your patients all the best !
Hi there, Amalia, I'm Welsh so of course I know where Romania is.
Are you on facebook that is always a good way to chat? I'd love to talk with you.
I hope you can find someone to help or you find the confidence and belief in yourself to birth your way without needing anyone.
Why can't you go to a village and find a tranditional attendant, I think there are plenty in your country if you know where to look.
Hi Lisa, love your blog.
Just thought I would write and let you know of my own blog. It's more of a feminist pregnancy/general life blog than specific to homebirth, but my latest entry is about the midwifery laws threatened for next year.
http://www.waitingtosettledown.blogspot.com/
Keep up the good work,
Jess
Hi Lisa,
I have just stumbled across your blog – awesome! I am a clinical nurse in Cairns and moving to the Adelaide Hills at the end of next year, and finishing off midwifery at Flinders Uni, after stopping 6 months into my training a number of years back out of disgust of how medicalised birth had become.
Your blog is inspiring.
Tiff : )
PS – were you on the OzMid list at some time? Your name seems familiar.
Tiff : )
Well get in touch any time Tiff.
I am an Oz midder, the one they call irresponsible unreasonable and undesirable. LOL
Hi, I have recently read a fantastic book called Midwife wisdom, mother love by Sarah James, and I think it would be a great read for anyone looking to have a baby or associated with someone who is having a baby or even women who have already had kids. It might be worth having a look at her website and even possabely having it as a book linked to your website, if you feel to do so. Her website is sarah@sarahjames.com.au or you can just google the title of the book.She has also just recently put out a press release about homebirth and is going to be on abc gold coast radio tomorrow at 9.40am and you can listen online, she is being interveiwed by Nicole Dyer and she( Nicole Dyer) is currently pregnant herself, so it should be a great interview. Your website is fantastic and you seem to have alot of wonderful info available for women, it is great!Well done. Kind reguards TJ.
Hiya, it was AWESOME to meet you in real life
email me birth [at] majikfaerie.com and I'll send you the photo of us.
Hi again Lisa, I'm Amalia of the June 17th post, not sure how I got the name posted then. I' now 36+ weeks pregnant, still hoping to have a normal homebirth, still no assistance available. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate some chatting with you – I now have a Facebook account but for some reason can't seem to find you there (not very familiar with Facebook I'm afraid). Also my email address is amalia dot stefan at gmail dot com. It would be great to hear from you when you can spare the time. Thanks in advance !
Hey, I love your site. A friend of mine just published some articles about home birth in the Middle East which I thought you might find interesting. The traditional practice has pretty much died out completely in favour of hospital births but a growing group of women want that power back.
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100503/NATIONAL/705029860/1010
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100503/NATIONAL/705029858/1010
Anyway, keep up the good work fighting the good fight.
Lovely
Indispensable
Sort after
A passionate soul
Brilliant birth advocate
Awesome support
Respects the birthing space
Radical
Empathetic
Talented
Trusts birth With Woman
Love Kat x
Kat you are amazing. Thanks for this.
In your honour, on International Midwives Day…..
Listens
Intuitive
Safe
Always a presence, never an intrusion
Beautiful
Artistic
Respectful
Reassuring
Entertaining
Trusts women
Trusts birth
I really do have the best friends in the world. xxx Jeremy is shocked there is no mention of hunky husband.
What a welcome website.Thank you for sharing with us.
My own twins are 13 months old, and I had to fight just to be heard as to my preferences of a natural birth. I switched practices midway through my pregnancy because I was at a practice who would not allow me to be seen by the midwives once the pregnancy became “high risk” due to being multiples. The practice I switched to was more twin-friendly, but I was still not “able” to birth at home or in the birthing center. I had 3 previous vaginal births of larger babies (the smallest was just under 10 lbs, the largest was 12 lbs even) so I had no question that I could successfully birth my twins vaginally and drug-free, not to mention without other interventions! I was frustrated that many of my birth plans were being thrown out the window, but I was at least patronized enough to allow me to “try” to have a natural, vaginal birth.
The pregnancy went so splendidly that the doctors never took me off my full time job, and at 36 weeks I chose to keep myself home so I could properly prepare for the birth. My labor began at 38weeks, on one of my older children’s birthdays, but my twins waited to be born just a few short hours after midnight, as I had hoped. Twin A, my 7lb8oz baby boy was born vaginally in the C’section room (as required) in 3 steady pushes, as the surgical staff waited to have their go at us. His brother followed 7 minutes later and greeted me after the first firm, but gentle push. He was my smallest baby at 6lbs 11oz, and the only one to still be coated in vernix at birth.
I have a strong sense of frustration that the natural birth I had so eagerly hoped for was not supported by the medical options I had been aware of having, yet I was filled with several moments of deep pride: I felt a sense of pride as the surgeon looked on in what appeared to be awe, and remarked that he couldn’t believe that I had not been given an epidural or other pain medications because I was smiling and joking with my husband between contractions and pushes. I felt jubilation when, within moments of his brothers birth, the second twin turned head down and presented himself as ready, never giving the doctor a chance to put another damper on our birthday. I felt so empowered when I glanced up to see the surgical team exiting the room unneeded, just before 3am, and heard remarks about how I certainly didn’t LOOK like I just gave birth to twins. Needless to say, I was so glad to have been able to “prove” to the hospital staff that it COULD be done, and I was grateful for a physician who was willing to at least humor me. I didn’t tear, nor were any cuts made, I was stitch free, despite the surgical setting i was required to birth in.
As I read the pages of your website, I am filled with a sense of loss, because I could have had such a beautiful story to tell, and yet I am filled with a sense of hope that perhaps I might have been able to be an example. I armed myself with the best knowledge I could find to support my preferences and choices, and I’m learning more still.
I am expecting again, and while I am unsure at this time if I am carrying one ore more I am feeling more equipped to pursue the kind of birth I really want. We do have the perfect garden tub, after all!
Love your site. Was at the Trust Birth Conference and was presenting when you were doing your breech presentation. I heard a lot about it/you and am sorry I missed it. I may be in Australia in January of 2011. Would you consider doing a one-day or whatever you need time wise class/workshop about breech? Maybe I could just come and visit and you could do the same presentation you gave at the TB conference? Do you think anyone locally would come if you were to offer/advertise this? I don’t believe anyone should be subject to a C/S just because their baby chooses to be in a breech position –it is a variation of normal! I have some experience with breech birth, but am feeling the need for more knowledge concerning this topic. I don’t know where you are in Australia, but I have a good friend in Melbourne and I might have to go visit Claire Hall as well!
Thanks for all you do , everyday,
Jenny West, LM,CPM and more…
Hey Jenny. Get in touch via email. Love Lisa
Lisa,
Had a question for you, love your site, of course.
My question is this. I have RH- blood, my husband does not. I do have antibodies built up, but this has not affected my last 3 births, which are the births I have desided to for go the Rogam shot for ( they have also been UC`S) I have thought about having a Lotus birth, or at least delaying cutting of the cord for several hours, instead of minutes, for this newest addition to our family, what are your thoughts on this?
Dear Kristi, You shouldn’t really have anti D if you already have antibodies, what are your titres like? I think that a completely physiological 3rd stage cuts the chance of a fetal maternal exchange. You could just get the babies blood group checked. You can either take a small amount of blood and get it checked at the hospital (even with a lotus birth) Or you can buy cards and test at home. Read Sarah Wickhams book Anti D paradox or Panacea it is excellent to help you check out the facts to make an informed choice.
Thanks Lisa, I`m not really sure what my titres are like. I will check out the books. I live in the states, so don`t know how I would go about getting the baby`s blood group checked, but I will look into it. I`m sure it wouldn`t be too hard. I Just want to be able to do it in a way that has the Least amount of dr. involvement as possible. Thanks again!
I’d like to share the link to the trailer of the upcoming documentary -
Throwing out the lies with the birth water. I’m woking hard to finish it and am aiming to have a screening of the 1hr film in the Blue Mountains NSW in late July to time in with new maternity reforms. Please check out the link and pass it on!
Thanks,
Rani
not sure if that link went through..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KQ03IlWz3k
Hi Lisa,
I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby, and this pregnancy has been such a period of learning and growth for me. When I was investigating birth choices early in my pregnancy I was appalled at the statistics surrounding childbirth in Victoria, particularly those of intervention and caesarean birth. I started searching for other options, and was extremely lucky to be included in Sunshine Hospital’s home birth pilot program. Since handing over the management of my pregnancy to my midwives, Sue and Susan, I have felt nothing but empowerment and confidence in the knowledge that I am making a safe and valid choice for the birth of my baby. I have faith in my ability to birth naturally, as do they. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be as a passionate supporter of home birth to be subject to the whims of the AMA, with their skewed statistics and ‘live in fear’ approach. Thank you for devoting yourself to advocating for women and their right to choose a normal birth with no intervention.
Bobby
Hi Lisa,
How do I get in contact with you to ask a few questions? I am unable to make it to the next coffee morning as I am still at work. I am 7 weeks pregnant and haven’t broken the news or even been to a GP yet! I’m mainly concerned with pricing options and if I can afford a homebirth as an option.
Many thanks,
Kelly
Have contacted you.
Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for coming into our lives and agreeing to be our midwife for our second rainbow baby. Amanda and i are excited to be taking this journey with you.
Adrienne
WOW, all i can say is WOW.. what an AMAZING site.
I found you on google after i wondered if my birth story on a forum showed and i found you, so glad i did, have shared the link with my friends on facebook.
I have a story of a footling breech, unassisted home birth (by accident), please feel free to contact me or i can contact you.
I have submitted it on a forum so can copy and paste and edit, i also have the audio from the 000 phone call.
Again … WOW
Hi Lisa,
Great work on the site and promoting homebirth!
I have an interesting birth story to share.
I am an GP and worked in a remote town in Scotland for a while. I didn’t believe in midwifery at first and when I became pregnant with my third child, I had decided that I would travel to Glascow to have my baby. Fortunately, I things happened and the events changed my opinion of homebirths and midwifery.
I was 2 weeks from delivering when I was asked by my friend to come and attend her birth conducted by a young midwife named Sarah, just out of training, as a measure of re-assurance you can say. Anyhow, I came over, sat with my patient through her labor and helped the young midwife deliver her baby daughter.
Interestingly enough, I had been having what I thought were Braxton-Hicks contractions thoughout the day and while helping Sarah deliver the baby, I felt this sharp pain and ignored it. A few minutes later, I felt another sharp pain, this time it took my breathe away and I actually doubled over. Sarah looked at me and right away she knew I was in labor. She suggested that I take a few deep breathes and to head into the living room and lie down and said that she would be in to check on me as soon as delivered my friend’s baby. Taking a few breathes didn’t help and I started to panic as my contractions were coming pretty regularly and fast! — embarrassed as I was a fully trained doctor! Its quite something to be a fully trained medical specialist versus being a woman in labor because all the medical training goes out the door.
Sarah finished up and came and checked me and said that I was 3 cm dilated but it didn’t help ease my fears as I knew by now I was having a really fast, precipitous labor. As my waters hadn’t broken it, she suggested we do that and so she broke my amniotic sac.
Close to an hour later I was delirious from pain and screaming. Sarah said she had to check me as I wasn’t sounding too good and I remember fighting with her telling her I couldn’t possibly take having examine me. Thank god Sarah was cooperative.
Half an hour passed and I felt this huge urge to push. Once again I panicked and said “oh god, I need to push”. Sarah said she needed to go and get ready (sanitize) and told me not to push until she could examine me. I remember it was sooooo uncomfortable and the pressure was so intense I was literally begging and pleading with her to let me do push – I actually did! About six pushes later, my little girl was born.
I was so grateful to Sarah, this 25-year old nurse midwife. She was so calm and cool compared to me, and so much in control of the situation it actually made me feel very vulnerable. I realized the value of having midwives and homebirths as opposed to having babies in hospitals lying on your back with your legs in stirrups like the philosophy I was trained in during residency in the US. Sarah had me walking, squatting, on my hands and knees, and was right there coaching me through labor.
I know have a profound respect for midwives and the wonderful work that you do. So much so that I recommend homebirths for normal, problem-free pregnancies and refer my pregnant patients to Sarah. in some cases I will even attend these homebirths, as her assistant.
What an exciting story for your birth. Sarah could maybe have interfered a little less and kept her fingers out of your vagina as it makes no difference to the outcome. I am so glad that you attend homebirths, I wish there were GP’s like you here in Australia.
Hi Lisa, I’m a 54 year old RN in New York State,USA..I’ve always wanted to be a midwife,which is hard to do here in the U.S. It’s time for a different form of nursing than I have been doing for this stage in my life….Any suggestions as to where in the US I can find a midwife to mentor me..I’ve given birth to 6 children , all natual births,with no medicine. andI have 18 grandchildren ,I’ve assisted in 12 of the births.And I’ve been a Registered Nurse since 1992…I so enjoy your web site…Lord bless you in your work and teaching…Mary Ann Pratt
The Independent midwives have just won some good rights in New york, I would get in touch with those and check out how they do apprenticeships.