PostingWeekend, or, what if you die?

Shedworking, one of my favourite sites, is running a theatre review I wrote for them about a production of Walden, a one-man show from Magnetic North about a man who flees civilisation to live in isolation in a hut in the woods. It was great fun going to the theatre (they even gave me a complimentary press ticket, something I haven't enjoyed in years) and because I went on my own I chatted to other people in the audience afterwards. Nothing to do with late parenting, but a mini-highlight of the weekend.

Somewhat closer to home, Va-vay, Beanie and I went to our local Home Birth Support Group at the weekend. Beanie was entranced when a pregnant lady stuck her tongue out at her (in a friendly way) - and revealed a rather splendid tongue piercing. I knew I needed the Support Group after I told a friend last week I was planning a home birth and she said: "What if you die?" My friend, who is not from this country, then said: "Well, maybe compared to an NHS hospital birth it is the best thing to do." Huh. It's one thing for me to criticise the NHS, but I don't like it when other people do. The Support Group nodded and smiled when I recounted all this, before bursting into tears, and said they hear this kind of thing a lot. They said that statistically home births are safer than hospitals. That people who are negative about you having a home birth are often just worried for you. Beanie beamed as I sat cross-legged on the floor, weeping, then made friends with a small boy wearing a T-Shirt saying "Born at Home". Although not yet two years old herself, Beanie loves pointing out "babies" she sees out and about, saying the word "baby" in great excitement, as if the child in question belongs to a different generation from herself. When in fact there's an age gap of twelve months between them. She spent the rest of the event cuddling the "baby". His mum was there too. Alive and well.

Other News

A friend is organising a fertility afternoon at the Aditi Yoga Centre in Edinburgh on Sunday 2 March from two till five. This is a chance to hear expert speakers on how to improve the chances of becoming pregnant, maintaining a healthy pregnancy and much more.  Topics covered include acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, mind and the body, natural ovulatory cycle, nutrition and yoga. Open to all.  Donation £5 per person.

Posted 04 February 2008 11:01

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Comments

DJ Kirkby said:

You know I am a staunch supporter and advocate of home birthing. I also know that it is not a suitable option for all women and all births. You need to chose what you want for your birthing experience and to keep an open mind that things may need to change along the way...kind of like with N3S's birth... Not so sure about the logic of sticking tongues out at children when we try to teach them that it is not a socialy appropriate behaviour, talk about mixed messages.

Posted 05 February 2008 16:37

Helen said:

DJ, I'm kind of hoping it will work out at home, but if I have to transfer into hospital then not view it as a 'failure'. The tongue thing was quite friendly - think it was meant well. Sorry, maybe didn't come across in posting.

Posted 05 February 2008 18:59

GoneBackSouth said:

Dear Mother at Large,

Congratulations on such a thorough and informative site. As a relative newcomer, I have no such ambitions in blogland (although I did once own and run a local magazine up north for parents with young children). No, I am happy just to muse about life and hope that somebody is interested?! Anyway keep up the good work. x

Posted 07 February 2008 22:41

gone-back-south.blogspot.com said:

Not sure if I did it right - seems you can't link to my blog - der. Trying again.

Posted 07 February 2008 22:43

Sparx said:

Hello Helen!



You sound as though you have the right attitude - and the right book - that Ina May Gaskin book really helped me through my home birth. I'm sure you're doing all the reading and finding out all the same stuff we did which make home births so attractive. Are you thinking of getting a birth pool? It was really great, I recommend it.

Posted 07 February 2008 22:47

Helen said:

Gone Back South, thanks for kind comments and welcome to the site. Hope to check out yours over next few days.



Sparx, thanks for your encouragement - I love hearing about people who've had good home births. Yes, hoping on having a birth pool - provided floor joists prove strong enough to take one.

Posted 09 February 2008 21:31

Rosie said:

The Born at Home t-shirt sounds great. I think they could really catch on. If you get a chance look at the Jessica's Trust blog, there's an interesting post on Virtual Jessica - a computer programme to help midwives in training.



My new site is up and running. Do pop over!

Posted 10 February 2008 10:59

Helen said:

Hi Rosie, the T-shirt was very cute, must be said. I already have your site on my RSS feed - I enjoy it greatly.

Posted 10 February 2008 19:10

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