gratitude

I am so grateful I now know what it feels like to be cared for by a midwife and a doula.
I am so grateful that I was given a chance.
I am so grateful somebody believed in me, my body, and the power of birth.
I am so grateful I was the first person to hold my baby, without interference of drugs, IV's, nurses, or 'necessary' newborn procedures.

I am so grateful I was able to nurse my baby in any position, without worry of an incision.
I am so grateful my husband was there every step of the way to share this experience with me, never being forced to leave my side, or having to choose between me or baby.

I am ever so grateful I was able to walk, use the bathroom, and even shower right after delivering - what a treat to not be confined to a bed for a period of time due to surgery.
I am extremely grateful I was able to eat at my leisure after giving birth - even though the only thing open was fast food, sure beats having to be on a liquid diet for several days.

I am so grateful I was able to laugh without pain after my baby was born, great big belly laughs without worry of my insides spilling out.
I am so grateful I was able to introduce our new baby to his siblings in the comfort of our own home, my own bed, not even an hour after he was born, and I know this is the reason they were so quick to hug and kiss and just love him right from the start (I even had an offer to babysit from the 3 year old :)
I am so grateful we were able to spend our first night together in the peace of our own home, no beeping machines, night nurses, or nursery.
I am so grateful that it was my husband who was taking our vitals.

I am so grateful that I now know what it is like to have a baby naturally, the way God intended.
I am so grateful there are wonderful people who were willing to support me at home for a vaginal birth after two Cesarean sections.
Ultimately, I am so unbelievably grateful for you.

Thank you for making my dreams come true.
Thank you for changing my life.
Thank you for giving our family new life.
Thank you for being you.

Birth works.
Thanks to our midwives and doulas out there who make it possible.