Comments for Love-Knowledge Baby

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Maggie VI Beedles

Maggie VI Beedles — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:51:47 +0000

Leslie, I’ve read THOUSANDS (literally, thousands of birth stories, and yours is TREMENDOUS. I want to share it far and wide. You are an incredibly skilled writer, and convey with accuracy and ease a depth of emotion that makes your diverse stories really resonate with me, as I’m sure they would with most of the other women on Earth! Thank you for being brave, for sharing your trauma as well as your success; you are changing the world. Again, thank you.

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Dana Ross

Dana Ross — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:52:31 +0000

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this! I, too, had a home birth, albeit mine was purposefully unassisted. After having two hospital births and declaring I would NEVER do that again, I educated, loved and believed myself into proudly birthing a 13.2 pound monstrous miracle, at home, with my mom, no pain medications, no tearing, no complications, all in the comfort of my home, and I will never (I repeat, NEVER), go back to the hospital to birth again. There’s this connection we have, something I still can’t fully explain – he’s now 2. The placenta delivered within the hour and then I took a shower, had breakfast, and then we napped and cuddled on my couch, in my home, with no one but mom (who stayed behind the scenes to let us be by ourselves). This experience changed my life, in many ways. I know now that I CAN DO anything that I want. It was a strengthening process, a very powerful moment. I still revel in the pictures and memories, especially when I feel weak. I look at him and am reminded of the miracle that life really is, and how allowing your natural instinct to flow without impeding it, will bring you to a level in your “inner self” that will set your life on a totally different course. I applaud you, and thank you for sharing this time in your life. You’re an amazing woman!

Dana

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by ladyleslie

ladyleslie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:09:15 +0000

Rachel, I think you’re very brave for having hospital births.

I did a lot of research, and all over the world, in places with much better infant and maternal mortality rates (less moms and babies dead) they use midwifery and home birth. In the our country, if you compare outcomes between OB’s and MW’s you’d find a much higher maternal and infant mortality rate in the OB sector.

Of course, MW’s send their high risk patients to OB’s . . . so this must skew the numbers, right? But then if you look at only low risk mothers (normal healthy pregnancies), hospital births have much higher rates of interventions like episiotomies and C-sections.

C-sections automatically put the mother and baby at 3x the risk of death. It IS a major surgery. If you see an OB, depending on their preference (if they like to let a woman labor, or if they prefer to give an arbitrary time limit and cut babies out), you’re looking at a 1 in 3 chance of cesarean section. 30% or more is TYPICAL.

Take the same demographic and give them midwifery care with option to birth at home or in a birth center, and you cut that down to 5% or LESS C-section rate.

Sorry, this is a HUGE topic for me. I spent the last 3 years or more immersed in birth study. If I were paranoid, I’d stay as far from hospitals as possible during labor and birth . . . but we all HAVE to be where we are comfortable. The choice has to be yours, or there’s no point. Home birth isn’t for everyone, but the OPTION for home birth SHOULD BE AVAILABLE to everyone.

P.S. I KNOW you can do #3 w/out meds. I believe in you! You are one strong mama! If you want to stack the odds in your favor, perhaps hire a doula.

As for slings, which ones did you try?
–Leslie

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Rachel Jacobs

Rachel Jacobs — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:50:04 +0000

Fantastic. I will probably continue to have my babies in a hospital only because I’m paranoid. I decided a long time ago that #3 would be without meds (unless I cave). I have a great OB and will not go to anyone else. When you find that special someone do not let them go. And when they retire you get fixed or your husband does. I’m sorry your first was so traumatic for you. I’ve enjoyed both of mine and feel so blessed. Can’t wait to meet your little ones…btw interested in slings, had a carrier with the first two but they were too small for it and hated it any suggestions for #3.

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Hobbit

Hobbit — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:31:53 +0000

Wow. What Saeri said. This is an awesome story and I’m so glad that it was such an awesome experience. Thank you for sharing!

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by April A.

April A. — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:52:45 +0000

What a wonderful birth story! I hope my future births go just as well. Thank you for being an inspiration! ♥

Comment on Dear Potential Supporter, by blanche

blanche — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:08:44 +0000

Leslie you are on a roll! I can see lots of wonderful posts coming from you in the weeks, months, years to come! I’m so encouraged by you and your honest communications!!!

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Jenne

Jenne — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:42:24 +0000

You did wonderfully: through the process and in writing about it. I couldn’t help but insert my memories of the pictures into the story as I read.

Sorry you couldn’t avoid the stitching. I know what you mean about wishing to have a needle free pregnancy and birth.

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by courtney.kempe

courtney.kempe — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:01:39 +0000

soo happy for u mama!!

Comment on Rylie’s Birth by Susan

Susan — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:39:12 +0000

Beautiful and powerful. I am so happy for you and your family! Thank you for sharing.