Attending My First Homebirth

I attended my first-ever birth (other than my own) this past summer. The homebirth midwife who had attended my last birth was a little strapped for help—her partner was out of the country, she had another mama in labor, and her backup had another birth happening at the same time that she was in danger of having to run off to—so I got to go along as an extra pair of (unskilled) hands and moral support. I was honored to be able to attend the birth of the newest arrival to this amazing family. Read more

Home Birth

Deliver unto me a full work-up, though know
I’m fully capable of getting worked up.
Together, let’s work it through: I was delivered,
delivered you, was not delivered but worked,
labored at the crosshairs of that fat red hatch,
worked outside of the white H on blue.
This was my labor. There was never any work-up
but I worked my way into your way out,
did not give over, worked like a bolt, or was I the screw? Read more