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Julie
and Mark - with son Miles |
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From Mark, the Dad: "Our home is filled with life -- all 9 lbs. 9 oz. of it (and 22 and 3/8 inches!). Yes, Miles came into this world at 10:11pm Sunday night (Aug. 29th, 2004) with the full moon, but filled the room with sunshine. Miles was anxious to get into the world quickly, as Julie only had to push for about an hour (granted, the initial labor began the previous night). The midwives let me catch him as Julie pushed him into the world, and Miles treated me with a deep look into my eyes as I lifted his slippery body to Julie's belly. He began feeding within the first hour, and has been eating like a true Lancaster boy ever since. I'm still overwhelmed in admiration at Julie's strength and relaxed composure throughout the entire birth (which happened entirely in our home). She's recovering well from the athletic event, as Miles and I nurture her with our love." |
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 Miles - one week old |
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Julie, the Mom: "Unreal and magical, yet the most natural thing in the world. As Robin Lim has said, “birthing is the most profound initiation to spirituality a woman can have,” and now I truly understand. I am in awe of our magnificent child, and that he is a physical representation of the love and union that Mark and I share. Birthing Miles at home was a true blessing, as I was surrounded by an environment of support, the serenity I needed to focus, and the respect for my own personal birthing power. Mary Ann, Sierra, and Deana were strong yet sensitive, patient and kind, professional yet compassionate, positive and encouraging, and I thank them tremendously for helping me with this life altering experience. If you are just about to bring a child into the world, remember that 300,000 women will be giving birth with you today. You can do it!" |
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A Thank You letter to Womancare Midwifery |
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Sierra, Deana, and Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for helping to make my childbirth an incredible experience. Your constant support, encouragement and empowerment throughout my pregnancy was unfaltering. I feel truly blessed to have been able to share this experience with all of you and to be able to have delivered my son at home. Mary Ann, you have amazing hands with an incredible touch. Your faith in my body was unfaltering and contagious! Deana, your words of encouragement and support earlier in this pregnancy were crucial. You always believed in me. Thank you! |
 Genevieve and Ivan |
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Thank you again! Love, Genevieve, John, Sage, Adam and Ivan. |
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| Kristen's Story |
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I
birthed my first child in the hospital. It was 53 hours from the time
my water broke to the time I held my daughter in my arms. I did it without
pain medication, but I really had a hard time. My well-intentioned caregivers
tried to impose too many medical interventions and it wasn’t the
natural, positive experience we were hoping for.
Before conceiving our second child, we went to meet with the midwives at Womancare Midwifery. Their whole philosophy was much more in line with ours; that birth doesn't have to be a medical event. All three of them really cheered me on and listened patiently to my concerns. When I went into labor the second time, it was wonderful. Only 5 1/2 hours with none of the emotional stress of the first time. |
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| The midwives made us feel safe and empowered. Having our oldest child meet her brother when he was minutes old was a joy beyond words. I’m sure her participation in my prenatal care and their immediate introduction at home has contributed to their closeness. And falling asleep snuggled together in our own bed that night was absolutely blissful. Choosing home birth was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
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