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Birth Story
By Stephanie | March 18, 2009
“Lovely controlled birth; hands and knees in tub.“
Those are the words that my midwife wrote on my birth records under “Delivery Comments.”
I’m not sure I would use the word “controlled” to describe my labor experience. After all, it involved plenty of screaming and moaning (and singing, incidentally…). But I WOULD describe it as fast and furious and…overwhelmingly positive. I really couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant experience (as far as labors go, that is).
Here’s how the day played out:
Friday, March 13, 2009
10:00 a.m. I am sitting out in the backyard in the sunshine - watching our 2-year-old play in her playhouse and drawing smiley faces with sidewalk chalk on the wall. I tell my husband rather nonchalantly, “I’m feeling some pressure down below, almost like the head descending. No, not like Braxton Hicks. But it really could be nothing…“
Noon. My husband and daughter go grocery shopping. I post on my blog and do some work. We eat lunch and discuss everyday things.
3:00 p.m. We decide to head downtown to take care of some business at the Secretary of State office. In the elevator, I stop and say, “Hold on. Just a minute. I’m feeling a little pressure. Okay, I’m fine.” After that, we drive to Walgreens to buy a birthday present for our next door neighbor’s daughter. The contractions are coming regularly now, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions too soon.
4-something. We arrive home. I tell my husband to put our bags in the car and suggest that we clean the house…”just in case.” He busies himself with laundry and dishes and vacuuming (in a frenzy, I might add), while I make enchiladas and build block towers with our 2-year-old in her room. At one point, I get on my hands and knees.
5-something. The intensity of the contractions begins to heighten (I would later tell the midwife that my labor began at 5:00 p.m.) We sit down to eat dinner and I jump out of my seat every 5 or 6 minutes to lean against the wall. My daughter asks, “Are you okay, mommy?” “Yes,” I say, “mommy’s okay.”
My husband and I have a conversation kind of like this:
- Husband: Should I call my parents?
- Me: No, not yet. I’m not sure this is it.
- Five minutes later…
- Me: Call your parents. We have to go…NOW.
6:30 p.m. We meet Tim’s parents in-town (they were out eating dinner) to drop off our daughter. “Do you think you’re close?” my father-in-law asks through the car window. “It’s hard to say,” I answer back.
7:00 p.m. We arrive at the birth center. It’s quiet and peaceful there. The nurse greets us kindly and tells us that she’s getting the room ready. I walk around the main area, stopping to lean against the wall with each contraction. When the contractions come, I sing. Not words. Just notes. “You’re a singer,” the nurse says gently, “Your voice is beautiful.” “Actually, no,” I smile in between pains, “only in labor.” Somehow it seems to help.
7:30 p.m. The nurse asks if I would like to try to get in the tub. I say, “yes.” The warm water feels surprisingly good. I sit. When the contractions come, I always say, “here comes another” and lean forward on my hands and knees while Tim massages my lower back and caresses me gently with his fingertips.
8:00 p.m. The contractions intensify. My singing turns to screaming, panting. In between, I pray aloud, “Lord, help me. Lord, you are good to me. Help me to trust you.” And I talk to the baby: “I love you, baby. I can’t wait to meet you.” And I say, “I’m scared, Tim. I’m so scared. I don’t know if I can do this.” But I know I can. I know the baby will be here soon.
8:15 p.m. My water breaks during one of my contractions. Blood oozes slowly into the bath water, tinting it red. I am on my hands and knees. The urge to push consumes my body. I give in because it is the only thing that I can do. I feel like I might explode or pass out. “Pant. Quick pants,” the midwife guides me. I try to breathe…and then I push. I feel the baby’s head, then the body…then a cry. I am in immediate euphoria.
8:30 p.m. My husband is holding her. He passes her through my legs, umbilical cord still attached. I hold her, mesmerized by the miracle. “She’s beautiful,” I say. “She’s here.“
Topics: About Me, labor and delivery | 81 Comments »
March 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Oh Steph!! So beautiful! You are both beautiful, too!
Steph
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March 18th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
You did it Stephanie! We had talked about this after Kayla, and you did it! Congratulations! We are very happy for you and thankful to the Lord. How much he loves you to now bless you with two tender responders!
Love Always
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March 18th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
WOW!!!! I didn’t realize you’d had the baby. You are amazing (says the girl who had 3 epidurals). Congratulations!!!! :-)
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March 18th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Beautiful story. Sure beats my story of showing up at the hospital screaming in pain and totally chaotic. You look great too – I can’t believe you’re blogging and everything so soon after the delivery. You are awesome!
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March 18th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
What a beautiful birth story – thanks for sharing!
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
That is a wonderful birth story. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations!!! She’s beautiful, you both are.
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Yay! Thanks for sharing the story. :)
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
What a wonderful birth story! It sounds so much like my second! Congratulations!!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Congratulations! It sounds like it went so well. I love that you wrote it all down! We are so happy for you guys. She’s beautiful just like her big sister!
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Beautiful birth story!! Congrats! I’m so happy for you guys!! She’s a little doll!
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
What a lovely birth story. I love that you sang :)
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Aww, congratulations! She is beautiful!
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Thank you for sharing this story. Beautiful… Can you read the tears in my eyes? We are so happy for you all. I love that you sang- what a special thing to remember and share with your (possibly musical:)) daughter.
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Thank you for sharing your birth story and giving us the detailed play by play. What a moment? Childbirth is incredible and I’m so excited you also had a natural childbirth. (As did I) Despite the pain, I truly felt like if I did not do it naturally I would be missing out on this “life experience”. Congrats on your baby girl. Can’t wait to see more pics!
xo colleen
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
What an awesome story. I’m trying not to be jealous as I mentally prepare for my second C-Section… oh well, I guess being tumor free and healthy for my babies is more important than being able to experience natural birth. At least with you and Steph from Adventures in Babywearing sharing your stories I can imagine what it might have been like… although, hubby thinks I would have been begging for an epidural :)
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Congratulations! What a great birth story! She is an angel!
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Wow! What a beautiful birth story!! I’m so thrilled for you all and thankful for a peaceful birth! :)
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
That is such an awesome birth story Stephanie!! I am so happy for you and Tim! Congratulations!!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
What an beautiful birth story. Congrats to the both of you and to the big sister!
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March 18th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Congrats to you and your family. I hope my birth story will be as beautiful as yours.
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March 18th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Congratulations and happy babymoon! Try not to blog too much and enjoy these precious first few weeks.
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March 18th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Wonderful story. I’m impressed that you remember the details. My stories seem like a blur to me.
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March 18th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Wow….so beautiful…and inspiring…it’s how all births should be….
And I was so impressed with how quickly it went and how calm you seemed.
Congratulations!!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
What a fabulous description! As a mom of three that prefers inducement and drugs, for a brief moment I think “Wow, I should have one more and try it this way!”
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March 18th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Kudos to you!
And you both look beautiful!
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March 18th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
What a beautiful way to come into the world! I hope she continues to be sweet and mellow for you in the months and years ahead…
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March 18th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I love a good birth story! And yours is beautiful!! Congratulations!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Wow, a three-and-a-half-hour labor! That’s great. I’m glad you feel it was a positive experience, and you got a sweet baby out of the deal as well. Good for you! Congrats again.
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March 18th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
So beautiful. The story, you, your new girl– all of it. So happy for you!
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March 18th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
what a great experience! Each time I read a story like yours I think to myself that maybe (just maybe!) I could do it that way too!
Thanks for sharing her with us, she is absolutely beautiful!
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March 18th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
So glad everything went so wonderfully for you and so quickly this time around.
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March 19th, 2009 at 12:09 am
What a wonderful, lovely birth story! You’re both absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!
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March 19th, 2009 at 6:12 am
What a beautiful birth story! You look radiant.
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March 19th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment in your life. Congratulations!
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March 19th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Wow, Steph! You are an amazing and strong mama! Thank you for sharing your birth story with us!
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Awesome story! You look fabulous and she is beautiful!
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful account!
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Congratulations!! I’ll be back to read your post.
In answer to your questions on my blog, Gabe takes most of the pictures. Nikon D50. No class. He uses Aperture to enhance some of the photos.
I love your little girls! :)
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March 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
you both look great- i am crying now, Congrats again!! Enjoy!!
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March 19th, 2009 at 10:27 am
How did you even have the sense to look at the clock! You’re amazing, what a wonderful story.
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March 19th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Such a beautiful story! And you and your new daughter look amazing! congratulation!!xoxox
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March 19th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I’m crying as I read it :)
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March 19th, 2009 at 11:42 am
That is wonderful!! I love the picture you posted your new daughter is beautiful – both girls are beautiful!
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March 19th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thanks for sharing.
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March 19th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
What an awesome birth story :) She’s a little doll! Congratulations!
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March 19th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
That was so wonderful to read! Thank you for sharing it. You both look so beautiful!
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March 19th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Congratulations! I am glad all is well and I bet you are feeling much better! You and baby look beautiful!
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March 19th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
bringing tears to my eyes (in a good way-not because i am feeling your peak of pain)
i love the way you shared this….
congrats again
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March 19th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
She’s going to LOVE reading this one day. Torri still likes me to tell her the story of her birth every year on her birthday (and she’s 14 now!) only the details have gotten fuzzier as the years have passed. I wish I had written the whole thing down then. You’ll be so glad to have this…
I’m so happy for you that your experience was so peaceful. In hindsight at least. :)
She’s a beauty. Just like big sis!
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March 19th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
CONGRATULATIONS! She is SOOOOOO beautiful and what a wonderful birth story. I am so happy for you and your family. yay!!!!!!
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Thank you for sharing your wonderful birth story, Stephanie! I loved reading it. Many blessings to you and your family. I am so happy for you!
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March 20th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Hi Steph,
I haven’t visited your blog in about 8 months but I thought of you and wondered if you’d had the new baby yet. Congratulations! What a blessing she is. I cut back on my blog reading and kinda went cold turkey.
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March 20th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I’m really thrilled for you that everything went so well. Enjoy!
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March 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Tears!! So beautiful… Thanks so much for sharing!
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March 20th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
That has to be one of the most beautiful birth stories and look at the look on your face in that photo… pure bliss, instant love!
Nell
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March 20th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
=D That is a beautiful story! And a beautiful baby! Congratulations! Thanks for sharing, I’m so close to tears right now, but in a good way =P
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March 20th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Awwww!! You look beautiful and your daughter is just precious!Congratulations to you and your family!
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March 20th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Congratulations!!! What a beautiful birth story! Thanks for sharing.
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March 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Two of my three girls were born in the same birthing tub at the birth center. With baby #3 we had to deliver at the hospital and it just wasn’t the same:(
I also has short labors. It’s intense but the pain fades as soon as the baby debuts.
Congratulations, I can’t wait to meet her:)
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March 23rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Oh, I cant wait to meet her in person! Im so happy that the birth went smoothly. You look great, mama! Good job! ;)
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March 24th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Yes!! I’m so glad you had such a great birth experience with the midwife!! I loved having you at home with a midwife. The Lord continues to bless us!! Love you!
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April 5th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
that is so precious, thanks for sharing! I’m expecting baby #8 in 3 weeks and I’m wondering can I do this again? I’ve had all mine at home with a midwife, but I’m still a little nervous. I know God made my body to do this. your story encouraged me, thanks!
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April 11th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Thanks, Steph, for sharing such a wonderful story. This is what it’s all about!!!!!
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April 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
What a fantastic birth story! Congratulations on your little girl!
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April 20th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
She is stunning! What a beautiful labor/birth story, Stephanie! Congratulations to you and your family! I would love to have a labor/birth experience like yours.
Thanks for sharing your story with us! She is beautiful! LOVE HER UP!
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May 13th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
what a beautiful and perfect birth story!
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May 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
It’s always fun to hear/read birth stories, they are truly amazing! Congratulations on your little one and way to go mama!
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August 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I just saw The Business of Being Born. This is a beautiful story. You should’ve been featured in that documentary!
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August 25th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Love the birth story! Sounds a lot like the birth story of my first daughter (only I didn’t get in a tub – wish I had heard more about it then)… if you enjoy reading birth stories – and a good chuckle, check out the birth story of my son (you can get there by clicking on my name). It was certainly interesting! :) God bless! Thanks for your insightful blog. I’ve enjoyed reading!
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September 20th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Absolutely beautiful.
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October 31st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Lovely and moving. Thank you.
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December 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Wonderful birth story! I think that the more of us who share our positive experiences of natural childbirth online, the more others will see that the more medicalized kind of birth is not the only option most women have. Now I feel inspired to post mine…:)
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January 6th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Wow, what an amazing birth story. Did you give birth naturally to your first as well?
I gave birth to my daughter (my first) naturally in a birth center in June of last year. I wanted to have a natural birth like some people want to climb a mountain or run a marathon. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done.
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January 9th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
thank you for sharing. such a beautiful story. i’m hopeful to use the birth center in the hospital i’m at here in nyc…. hearing wonderful stories truly makes me believe it’s all possible. blessings.
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January 13th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I am 15 weeks pregnant now… and have been arguing with myself over the birthing center vs hospital. I simply do not do pain well – (as in – I passed out both times I got my ears pierced… and once when I tried to give blood, hit the floor when they pricked my finger – never made it to the big needle) – however, being pregnant, that “passing out” thing has faded – I let them poke and prod on every visit now and stay awake! It makes me wonder if I could go drugless…. and then, the fear comes back again… I just don’t know if I could do it! I am amazed by those of you who have done it already – the stories are always so wonderful – not filled with the insanity of hospitals….
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April 15th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Carol – I don’t know much about the birth centers in NYC, but I had a FABULOUS homebirth midwife that I’d highly recommend.
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April 19th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
This is beautiful Stephanie. Very sweet! I pray that God blesses my husband and I with a little one someday soon. I can only imagine the feeling of being a mother.
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May 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Stephanie!! That birth story is so much like my experience with my last (Ellie)! I had her at the birth center also! Two exceptions….my water broke at Costco and I had to get out of the tub(I needed to pace). ((hugs))
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May 27th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
What a beautiful birth story! I hope to have a water birth at home with my next baby.
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August 6th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
I finally had my first natural birth with my 3rd in March of ’08. It was incredibly quick, but so beautiful and the recovery afterwards was AMAZING. I was skeptical too, but thankfully called the midwife after the 4th contraction to tell her that I “thought” I might be in labor. It was a good thing she came right over because he was on my chest less than 40 minutes later! :)
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Stephanie Reply:
August 10th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
So glad you had such a wonderful experience! I am forever singing the praises of midwives, birth centers, and natural birthing…so many wonderful benefits (including quick recovery time, as you mentioned).
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