Birth: I want a say...
Giving birth in a hospital isn't the experience many women, including myself, hoped it would be. Many envision a different experience, based on the Mama's lovely tour prior to giving birth in said hospital. Many of us walk away...disappointed. Disenchanted. Powerless. In November, my sister-in-law Jessica gave birth at home (HBAC-home birth after Cesarean) to my beautiful new little niece E. Jess had a less than great experience with the premature birth of her second child, my sweet nephew, W when he was born via c-section. And of course I have to mention wonderful little N, my very first niece (no nephews before W too) who was born shortly after we moved to this beautiful sunny part of the country. Back to Jess. She worked closely with a midwife who monitored her nutrition and exercise closely so she wouldn't have baby #3 prematurely like she did with #2. Jess didn't gain more than 25 lbs (if I'm not mistaken), and she was in...