Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

“As the flower blooms, the baby is being pushed out.” I was reminded of the story of Thumbelina. That image clicked strongly for me and really helped. From then on, even

From then on, even when I was in strong labor, I kept thinking of that image—a huge, beautiful flower opening, and the baby coming out.

“Imagine a flower blooming,” said Pamela, while I was in the bath.

Ina May and Pamela took turns massaging me, which helped.

Ina May thought that things might move more quickly, so she called Dan’s mother and Pamela.

All I wanted was to sleep, and I kept waking up in pain.

Aaron curled up next to me and met our new child.

As the head was crowning, I was pretty tired.

Then I mentioned that it hurt right above and below my birth canal.

She coached me through some particularly strong pushes and I yelled that it hurt.