When I became pregnant with my fourth child, I was determined to have him at home. I had delivered my first two children at the hospital and my third at home and enjoyed the last experience much more than the first two. There is a type of bonding that can occur at a home birth that you don’t get when you are all drugged up. I wouldn’t give that experience up for anything. I've decided after doing both that, for me, home birth is the only way to go.

Aiden decided to enter into our lives 10 days past his due date. I tried everything from jumping on the trampoline to taking caster oil. Nothing worked. I just had to be patient. The day I finally gave up trying to put myself into labor, it started! I had pains consistently all through the day until about midnight at which point they started to go away. I called my midwife, and she sent Janae, who was her assistant at that time, over to check me to see what was going on. Janae confirmed that I was at 5cm and 90 percent effaced. Liz arrived shortly after and together they started preparing for the delivery. I labored in and out of the bath tub for the next two hours, which I found very comforting (there is something about the hot water that really helps me). Soon, it was time to start pushing. The next 20 minutes were not fun, but with the help of my husband, my sister, and my midwife, I got threw it and gave birth to a healthy 9lb. 9oz. baby boy, Aiden.

I loved having Janae at my birth. She was so comforting and reassuring to me. The care that I received from my midwives was so personal and loving. They truly cared about me and my baby and provided what was best for us at all times.

The one question that I get asked a lot is “How can you dare have your babies at home?” and my answer is; "Why would you want to share one of life's greatest and most personal moments with strangers in an unfamiliar environment... and, how do you dare put your life and the life of your baby into the hands of people you don't even know?". I don't doubt that the hospital staff are well trained but I couldn't relax around them. The room in the hospital was full of wires, procedures and faces I didn't recognize. At home there were no unneeded interferences. Surrounded by those I know and love I was able to relax and my body responded by accomplishing what it's designed to do. Janae and Liz didn’t leave my side for a minute, they knew exactly what my body and my baby were doing at all times.

Thank you Janae for what you do!