Comments for Red Rock Midwifery

Comment on Hands-Off Home Birth by Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:31:24 +0000

Again, I say, I hope I am in AZ before having another baby! <3

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:24:40 +0000

Can I get an, “Amen!” You are EXACTLY the kind of midwife I WANT, and EXACTLY the kind of midwife I WANT TO BE!! I hope I’m in AZ before I have another baby! <3

Comment on My Birth Language by Raeann Peck

Raeann Peck — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:29:15 +0000

Birth truly does work better when we don’t get in the way. However, nature is not perfect and there is wisdom in midwives being watchful of signs of moms’ and babies’ well being, and having ability to respond appropriately in needful situations. I do wish it were so simple as just staying out of the way, but blind idealism is not helpful. Other than that, I completely agree with your ways of nurturing women.

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Raeann Peck

Raeann Peck — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:18:27 +0000

While “interferences and disturbances” such as listening to a baby’s heart rate may seem unnececessary, it provides needful information and allows a midwife to respond appropriately to baby’s needs during labor. Information received and appropriate response has provided for happy, safe outcomes in many cases. In 32 years of serving as a midwife, I’ve seen that nature is not always perfect, and there is tremendous value in the assistance of someone who is prepared for those times.

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Christy

Christy — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:23:44 +0000

I really enjoyed your post and totally agree. I believe birth should not be interfered with except in a true emergency. Interferences and disturbances usually cause problems, not solve them.

My first birth in a birth center was interfered with in a minor way when the staff wanted me to move from the toilet after my water broke to lie on the bed on my back and push. It caused my baby’s heart rate to drop and me to get an episiotomy. Then, they cut his cord right away before I could stop them. He’s fine and it’s all so minor compared to what many women and babies suffer, but it illustrates the importance of leaving laboring women in peace to do what they instinctively know to do.

My second birth at home with a hands-off midwife was wonderful. My husband caught our son as she watched, sitting against the wall, as far from us as she could get in my bathroom. I squatted and didn’t push at all, and our baby very quickly came out.

Next birth, I became aware of and very drawn to birthing with only my husband there. I told our midwife, the same one as before, that I might not call until after the birth. While we did wind up calling her, a fast labor resulted in birth with my husband catching our son while I sat on the toilet, our youngest son watching, and no one else. She came after the birth, another very easy one with no pushing at all needed.

An natural miscarriage at home came next, and friends who had D&Cs have told me how hard they are, and how they wished they had stayed home instead.

Our newest baby boy was born in the bathroom floor on hands and knees, also caught by Daddy, with our youngest son watching, and also coming out very quickly and easily. We didn’t bother hiring a midwife at all this time, or for the last pregnancy that had ended in miscarriage. We are just very comfortable with birth, and I did study what to do just in case of complication or emergency.

I think sometimes about one day becoming a midwife, doula, childbirth instructor, and breastfeeding support person. I also think about writing a book. I pray for God’s guidance on every area of my life. No matter what the future holds, I will continue to tell women who are interested in such things that our bodies are created to grow and birth babies, and we instinctively and innately know how to do so.

Comment on Hands-Off Home Birth by Raeann Peck

Raeann Peck — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:18:06 +0000

When midwives listen to a baby’s heart rate to help discern it’s good health, we are not responding in fear, but in wisdom. There have been times when it has saved lives as we were able to respond appropriately to the baby’s needs during labor. Such was the case in March when we had nearly a complete placental abruption at 8 cm. without the accessability of hospital. I’m grateful to live in a day when we have the best of both traditions available. We can trust and love birth, moms, and babies in ways earlier midwives could only have hoped for.

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Leah R.

Leah R. — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:02:34 +0000

I absolutely love and support you and your words! I, too, noticed the same and refer to it as a disconnect. That disconnect is what motivated me to become not only a doula but a midwife as well. Reading this blog, I honestly felt like it was me speaking…and knowing I’m not the only one with those thoughts and determination to help heal not only women but families only motivates me more. Thank you for being the fuel to my flame sis! Have a beautiful day everyone! I love YOU!

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Rebecca Wright

Rebecca Wright — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:47:38 +0000

Yes! This is what authentic midwifery is. The women in your community are blessed to have you. Thank you for this post and for your strength.

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Raeann Peck

Raeann Peck — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:02:27 +0000

I too am in awe of birthing mothers. In 32 years of serving them, I’ve seen beauty, joy, and heartache. Midwives who balance trust with discernment grow in wisdom.

Comment on Fearless Birth; Midwives Not Needed by Annalise

Annalise — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:50:31 +0000

Beautiful post. I love that story. So many women simply have no idea what birth really could be, what they are missing out on!! I am a few weeks away from my second UC. the first was the most wonderful day in my life. I have no apprehension, just absolute excitement to do it again!