Birth Archives - Becoming Mamas

Introducing Declan: A Birth Story

Published June 10, 2014 by Meredith

I’m officially a mama to three! Baby Declan joined us on June 4, weighing in at 9 lbs 12 oz and measuring 22 inches long. Here’s our birth story! Given that my last baby (Eleanor) was 10 days “late,” I had mentally been preparing for a repeat this pregnancy. By…

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The Real Reason You Should Write A Birth Plan

Published January 27, 2014 by Meredith

The subject of birth plans comes up quite often for pregnant women. Do I or don’t I? The idea of a birth plan is becoming increasingly “mainstream” and more women and their partners are starting to think about birth preferences. Even so, I am always surprised when the question “What…

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Why We Need Traditional Birth Knowledge in Modern Medicine

Published July 26, 2012 by Meredith

I was so pleased to see Ina May Gaskin pop up in my news feed this morning writing a piece on childbirth choice for the Huffington Post’s Global Motherhood section. Gaskin is perhaps the most famous midwife in the US; her books including Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual…

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Sensationalizing Homebirth is the Real Danger

Published June 25, 2012 by Meredith

I’m doing something one shouldn’t probably do as a blogger…responding emotionally to another piece circulating on the internet. Recently there have been several stories that have classed midwife attended births as “trendy” or “chic” or even a “status symbol” (case in point the recent NY Times Style piece). Today a…

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Life in the Fourth Trimester

Published May 16, 2011 by Meredith

You may have heard of the fourth trimester. Basically, it’s the idea that the first 3 months of life are very much an extension of life in the womb for baby. Baby has spent 40 weeks (or there abouts!) having her every need attended to. She never knew hunger, was…

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Introducing Eleanor! A Birth Story

Published April 27, 2011 by Meredith

It’s been just over two weeks since I became a mama to two. Baby Eleanor finally joined us on April 9th…checking in at 10 pounds even, 22.5 inches, and sporting a 14.5 inch head. Here’s our birth story! Eleanor decided to be a bit of a trickster from the start…

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Birth Plans: Yes, You Really Should Have One!

Published February 11, 2011 by Meredith

I’ve reached the point in this pregnancy (33 weeks!) where my midwives have started talking birth plan – and reminding me of the things I should consider as I write mine. It’s probably little surprise to know that a birth center based midwife or most hospital based midwives request birth…

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A Picture of Two Births

Published December 20, 2010 by Meredith

This morning as I was flipping channels while on the elliptical (AM TV leaves much to be desired!), I landed on two episodes of Discovery Health’s Birth Day. I generally avoid watching shows about birth as they so frequently offer only a highly medicalized, overly-dramatic portrayal of birth. But I’m…

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