I grew up thinking I wouldn't be able to have children because of what I was told. I underwent several invasive procedures by the age of 19, battling abnormal cells, and losing healthy cervical tissue in the process. Then on March 2011 (six years later), I started feeling funny. I told my husband: "I'm nauseous and tired all the time, I must be ill." Two pink lines and a blood test later, "How did this happen? We're pregnant!"
I never thought I had choices regarding the birth of our child. As far as we were concerned, a baby is born inside a hospital, at the hands of a doctor. You don't have a say about anything regarding your birth, right?
I became restless at the thought of having my baby in a hospital. After all, it was a doctor who performed those numerous procedures on me that would land me into a "high-risk pregnancy" category, after bumping me from the "infertile" one. I learned that by the year 2009, Puerto Rico (the country where I live in), had the highest Cesarean rate in the world with an alarming 50 percent. I saw The Business of Being Born, and read every book Ina May Gaskin wrote.
Sadly in Puerto Rico there are no birth centers. It's either hospital birth, or home birth. As a first time mother, not knowing what to expect, I was terrified of losing my baby. I wrote a comprehensive birth plan I shared with the OB/GYN I had at the time, and instead of helping me overcome those fears, he humiliated me. He told me I was in no position to bargain. "You don't know what you're doing." So I left his office that day and never came back. I was 32 weeks pregnant.
A friend of mine had given birth at home, and she recommended an amazing midwife. I eradicated all the terrible images I had of birthing mothers. I took control. I sought guidance from a Higher Power. I surrendered to my body; my instinct. "You can do this," it said to me.
My beautiful 8 oz, 20-1/2 in. baby was born on Nov. 19, 2011 at home. It was the most empowering and beautiful experience of my life. I danced, ate, sang, slept, but most importantly, was always surrounded by loving, supportive people.
Giving birth to my child naturally was not about politics, nor adventure. It was about what was best for both of us. I felt the need to protect our first moments together, to bond, and as a result of following my gut, I acquired a purpose in life.
Educate yourself, and make an educated choice.
I grew up thinking I wouldn't be able to have children because of what I was told. I underwent several invasive procedures by the age of 19, battling abnormal cells, and losing healthy cervical tissue in the process. Then on March 2011 (six years later), I started feeling funny. I told my husband: "I'm nauseous and tired all the time, I must be ill." Two pink lines and a blood test later, "How did this happen? We're pregnant!"
I never thought I had choices regarding the birth of our child. As far as we were concerned, a baby is born inside a hospital, at the hands of a doctor. You don't have a say about anything regarding your birth, right?
I became restless at the thought of having my baby in a hospital. After all, it was a doctor who performed those numerous procedures on me that would land me into a "high-risk pregnancy" category, after bumping me from the "infertile" one. I learned that by the year 2009, Puerto Rico (the country where I live in), had the highest Cesarean rate in the world with an alarming 50 percent. I saw The Business of Being Born, and read every book Ina May Gaskin wrote.
Sadly in Puerto Rico there are no birth centers. It's either hospital birth, or home birth. As a first time mother, not knowing what to expect, I was terrified of losing my baby. I wrote a comprehensive birth plan I shared with the OB/GYN I had at the time, and instead of helping me overcome those fears, he humiliated me. He told me I was in no position to bargain. "You don't know what you're doing." So I left his office that day and never came back. I was 32 weeks pregnant.
A friend of mine had given birth at home, and she recommended an amazing midwife. I eradicated all the terrible images I had of birthing mothers. I took control. I sought guidance from a Higher Power. I surrendered to my body; my instinct. "You can do this," it said to me.
My beautiful 8 oz, 20-1/2 in. baby was born on Nov. 19, 2011 at home. It was the most empowering and beautiful experience of my life. I danced, ate, sang, slept, but most importantly, was always surrounded by loving, supportive people.
Giving birth to my child naturally was not about politics, nor adventure. It was about what was best for both of us. I felt the need to protect our first moments together, to bond, and as a result of following my gut, I acquired a purpose in life.
Educate yourself, and make an educated choice.