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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	Kestin Shaw's Birth Story By Julia Goforth       For my first 3 children I had the standard hopital births: not allowed to walk around during labour, not allowed to go to the washroom when I needed to, giving birth on my back, perineum repair after birth, etc. For my 4th child, my husband and I decided to have a homebirth.      Our family doctor, who does homebirths a lot, agreed to drive the 50 or so miles between us to deliver the baby. I read The Birth Book (I think that's the title) by Dr. William and Martha Sears and got the absolute best information on pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum out there. (That was where we got the idea to have a homebirth.)       At 4am, my water broke and I knew it was time. (I have VERY short labours.) We called the doctor and he went to pick up my Labour Support person (his assistant) and a mid-wife student (which I had agreed to).      At about 4:15 I began to have contractions. I laboured in the shower in a squatting position. At about 4:50 I felt the baby's head. My husband helped me to the bed and I lay on my side. At 5:05 my son was born. All 12 1/2 lbs. of him. Delivered by my husband. With absolutely NO TEARING!! This was the easiest and least painful of all my birthing experiences. Birthing on my side my all the difference.      The doctor arrived 15 min. after Kestin Shaw was born. After examining us both he announced we were fine. He was shocked at Kestin's size and very pleased that we had been able to birth him with no damage to my perineum.       Being in a more relaxed environment, being able to control my labour (move around at will, etc.), and being able to give birth on my side (which is easier on the mother's body and less stressful for the baby due to the shape of our pelvic structure and the way our tailbones curve up) made for a very pleasant experience. Search the Birth Stories Match All Terms Any Term and show results in Standard Form in Compact Form Hint! Enclose phrases in quotes. For example "home birth" [ Return to Section Six Birth Stories Index ]