As circumstance would have it, Jillian found herself in a bit of a predicament. Her baby was breech and her labor had started. Although she had had some prenatal care, her care provider would not be able to attend her birth and recommended that Jillian go to the hospital. A breech presentation at a hospital in Las Vegas usually means one thing – cesarean. Having had a previous homebirth, Jillian was not excited about going to the hospital, let alone having a c-section. Lucky for her, she has an aspiring midwife for an older sister. Susan is very well-read and has attended a handful of homebirths, including having her own at home. After much discussion and contemplation, Jillian decided to labor and deliver at home with Susan to guide her. I don’t know if Jillian would agree, but in my opinion, the labor was surprisingly fast and smooth. Susan caught her first baby! Many experienced midwives started this exact way – attending friend’s births and delivering each other’s babies. It is exciting to see the growth of the midwives and natural childbirth & homebirthing community in the Las Vegas Valley, and it is exciting to think of what the future holds for us all!
This birth was all about sisterhood. A sister delivered the baby. A friend supported a leg. A mother gave her someone to lean against. A daughter gave kisses of encouragement. A baby girl was born. A big sister cut the cord. And poor Anthony was the only male in the room. 🙂
Congratulations!
I am so impressed by this! These pictures are beautiful and they captured such a sweet experience!
Thank You So much Jess! Thanks for being willing to come on such short notice. I really grateful for your support! Pictures are awesome!
Wow – I grew up with these two ladies – but haven’t seen them for quite a few years. This is incredible – Susan you’re amazing but Jillian.. holy smokes. You rock my socks. My first (and only so far) baby was a Frank Breech – I had several Dr’s at my office tell me varying things. The first (my primary) was a c-section pusher. I refused to schedule it and at least went into labor and was able to have my water and labor naturally – I did have another Dr tell me there was a 99% chance everything would be fine if I wanted to deliver naturally, but by this point I was so terrified and not knowing what a lot of my options were and being so scared of the outcome, I went to the hospital and was rushed in for a c-section. While, in the end, all that matters is my beautiful healthy baby (who is now 16 months – and whose legs STILL revert to the breech position when she lays down) I wish I had more natural support around me. I tried for 4 weeks prior to get her to turn – using a homeopathic prenatal chiropractor, inversion tables, hot/cold pressure – people would have though I was a lunatic if they walked into my house, saw me 9 months pregnant, watching TV upside down with a bag of frozen peas on my uterus. Anyway, this is incredbile. I’m hoping to have a vbac next time and am seriously contemplating a home birth – I do know one person here who did a vbac at home the 2nd time around. This is just beautiful and so inspiring — and really lets some of us, who don’t have a lot of support for a natural birth – know that there are real options.
Congrats to you both of you girls.
All of you ladies are truly wonderful. What an awesome thing to be able to birth as you planned in spite of a change in attendees. Susan quite pregnant herself helping her sister bring a new life into the loving arms, literally, of their family. The story through the pictures alone brought tears to my eyes.
I was just wondering, since you had a c-sec the first time, i thought you couldnt deliver vaginally after that, i thought from then on they all had to be c-secs? Let me know please. i LOVE the way susan does/believes in things but on some of it i know nothing. so thank you in advance. 🙂
I too went to school with these girls…so amazing that her sister delivered her baby! Homebirthing is so beautiful and to share it with your sister, that would just make the bond so much greater! My sister wanted nothing to do with it lol!!! So awesome so very awesome congrats! And so awesome she listened to her body and not what a doctor said she knew she could deliver a healthy baby at home!
This brings tears to my eyes — what a beautiful tribute to an amazing calling. Susan, you are a perfect person for this. So endearing to see mom, daughters together bringing life into this world. So amazed by you all!
Good job Susan! You are a good sister. Beautiful pics.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments and support 🙂 It was Amazing!
I know this is a little late, but honestly i cant think of a better person to be there during the birth of a child, and for that matter i cant think of a better person to be blessed with twins! Susan, if you kids only knew now how extremely LUCKY they are to have you as a mom! I know they will probably realize it later but just so you know, The rest of us see it and admire your parenting. 😉
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