Birthing has been one of the most empowering experiences of my life.
Both of my children’s births were water births. The first water birth happened by accident, the second was well planned and executed to perfection.
For my first pregnancy, being a new mother I wasn’t confident enough to pursue a midwife or a water birth, so my husband and I worked with a doula who guided me through labor in a tub at 4:00 a.m. at a University hospital. Things moved so quickly that when the doctor arrived and ordered the nurses to remove me from the tub because of hospital policy against water birth, my daughter bungee jumped out and 8 hands came out of nowhere to catch her.
What a conversation starter!
She was whisked off hastily.
For my second, I knew I wanted a water birth, so I sought out a midwife in a hospital setting where water birth was featured. My son swam out like a fish and lay onto my chest to be received by his family who were allowed in to greet him only seconds after entering the world.
Written by: Angelique Dwyer