I postponed the inevitably of the Social Security office for as long as possible, but as the end of the year nears and tax time approaches, it was time to get this nuisance out of the way. Still, even with the added steps of getting a Social Security Number for a homebirth baby compared to the seamlessness of one being issued by a hospital at birth, I would gladly deal with these administrative hassles to experience the safety, comfort, and exhilaration of a homebirth.
As my daughter's first birthday nears, I am reminded more vividly of her beautiful homebirth. Due on New Year's Day and born one week later, the anticipation of the holidays was joined by eagerness for her arrival. During this holiday season, I am reminded of the excitement that filled our home last year at this time, wondering when she would arrive. My first two children had their birthdays chosen for them in unnecessary labor inductions, but my littlest one enjoyed the increasingly fading privilege of choosing her own birthday, entering the world when and how she wanted.
In 2012, I am going to be organizing a series of local "birth circle" meetings to gather together past, present, and future clients of homebirth and midwife-assisted births to learn and share insights about the countless benefits of natural birth. If you are in the Boston area, and would like to be updated about upcoming "birth circle" meetings, click on my profile link in the sidebar and send me an email to be added to the mailing list!
