"Ben, it's kind of like this. Having a baby is sort of like a rite of passage for women. Kind of like... a mission is for men. It isn't easy. I don't think I understand now how hard it's actually going to be. I know I don't blame women for getting epidurals" (I have to add this, as natural childbirth is not a trend in Ben's family). "But I do know that like a mission, the more you put into it the more you get out of it. The more...rewarding it is." (For the record, the fastest way to relate anything to a Mormon male's understanding is to compare it to a mission.)
Ben was not sold.
"Well, I'm going to be in the waiting room."He came around, though.
"No, because I want to have the baby at home."
"No. Absolutely not."
"Babe, it's not like we'll be boiling water, and tying off the umbilical cord with a string. There'll be a midwife there. It will be perfectly safe."
"Oh, right. We'll be safe becasue she'll chant some voodoo over yur belly and finger-paint our faces, right?"
Ben loved the midwife so much he began advertising for her everywhere we went. "Yes our midwife is just the best. There is no going back once you try a midwife. You guys need a midwife."
Overall, the common thread through all the stories I received this week was preparation. Several people quoted, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30)
I apologize for being greedy with all these stories, I just haven't decided which ones to use in the book yet and publishers don't really like too much overlap. But soon, I will publish some more complete stories. Please pass on the call for stories to other women you know.
voodoo! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI just recently found your blog and I absolutely LOVE it! This entry particularly made me smile, as my husband is similar to the husband in this story! His sister has birthed all six of her daughters at home, and after my horrible hospital experience with baby #1, I cried at the thought of going to the hospital for baby #2. That was definately an answer as I prayed about where I should birth my baby. Things even fought against me, having a terrible first midwife that nearly killed both me and my baby with the crazy diet she had me on and then blamed it all on me and transfered me to a doctor. Luckily, I was still able to find another midwife even though I had less than two months to go. The birth was absolutely AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteNow, everytime my husband (also named Ben) has a chance, he tells that his wife gave birth at home, on purpose! Someone can ask when we moved into our house, and he's quick to reply that it was a mere 3 days after his wife gave birth... at HOME! ADORABLE!!! It's so nice to feel like he's proud of me for something as amazing as this!
Yay! Ginger, I am so happy for you. And here is to all the Bens out there.
ReplyDeleteI'd love your complete story if you would like to send it to me.