have a water birth

I am due Sept. 23, 2008 with my first child, and I am having a home all natural water birth! I am so excited and have done tons of research! I will have a mid-wife assist me, who has been delivering babies for over 25 years. She is wonderful and fully supports my decision that having a baby is a miracle, not a medical event.

I had a waterbirth in November of 2005 at my nearest birth center, which is 1 hour away. It was one of the best experiences of my whole life. I proved to myself how strong I really am. I loved being in the water and the whole birth center experience. There’s nothing as good as going home 12 hours after the baby is born!

I have always wanted to have a water birth. No, I have never been pregnant and I do not know anyone who has had a child in water. Every since I was young I have loved to watch child birth on TV. I have never seen one in real life, but I look forward to getting closer than youtube or A Baby Story!
I am 26 years old and African American. I am getting married in 4 weeks! Because of this, people are asking me about having children. When I say that I want to have my children in water, some think I am crazy. I am almost ashamed to speak about my desire! And dont let me tell a mother that what I am planning to do… It is almost like I am offending women who used pain medication. They quickly dismiss me and say, “wait until those contractions hit”. A friend of mine laughed at me and says that she will put a sign in my labor room saying, “dont be a hero. Get the epidural!” All of this hurts my feelings…
I live in New Jersey. The closest birthing center is about one hour away. I am not ready to have children yet. I want to travel with my husband for a couple of years. I dont want my children drugged up and I know that warm water eases my menstrual cramps. So yes, I do have the audacity to say, “I WANT TO HAVE MY KIDS IN WATER”!!!!!!

I’m excited to announce that I am due in September 2007 with our third child. While my daughter, our first child, was to be delivered naturally, we ended up needing an intervention. Forceps were used, as she had lodged her little noggin in my pelvis.

With my son, I finally achieved a natural birth, although, I often wonder how much better it would have been if I would have been in an environment that less resembled a hospital.

This time, we have chosen to drive an hour out of our way to use a birthing center, which is not connected to the hospital, is run by midwives, and has two incredible birthing suites that look like luxurious bedrooms, one with a jacuzzi in the actual bedroom, the other with a large old fashioned tub in a large bathroom.

I hope to use the jacuzzi. Water births are incredible, and while some hospitals will allow you to labor in the water, most (if not all) will not allow the mother to actually give birth in the water (besides, the tubs are too small anyway).

This will be an incredible experience! I can’t wait!