Peaceful

We are all doing wonderfully.  I feel great and Emily is a sweet and peaceful baby, yet very alert, strong and nursing well.  My eyes have been shedding some happy tears when I gaze at her and am in awe over the amazing gift we have been given.

I have had all seven babies in a hospital with a midwife.  I have some history of bleeding and never could get over the what ifs as much as I agree that home is also a wonderful place to birth.  

At 11 days over and with some scheduling conflicts, my midwife called Monday afternoon and asked if it would work out to come in on Tuesday morning.

Mike and I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am and my midwife arrived by 8:00 to break my water.  

I was also overjoyed to find that a woman from our town that I know was the nurse who would be with me for the birth.  Kitty is an amazing woman that sometimes joined in with our knitting group.  She is kind, patient  and I felt immediately at ease knowing she would be with us for the day.

This is my birthing gown that I have worn for all 7 births.

I am not going to get into the details of the birth on the blog but it was the most peaceful one I have had and I was so happy to not have to have any sort of intervention or needles or anything.   It was quite empowering to labor through with  God through prayer, Mike - my husband (an amazing birthing partner), Kitty and Lesley (the midwife), and the strength of my body to do what it was naturally intended to do.  Emily was born at 4:50 that afternoon.

I requested to go home at the 24 hour after birth mark and this Emily at just 24 hours old.

 It was just about dinner time when my family came to get me.  The hospital staff had brought a meal which I hadn't ordered.  Isaac and Abraham decided to help themselves to the milk.

Thank you for all of the kind wishes and thoughts.
Blessings,
Tonya