As I was finishing an article I was writing, I noticed some contractions, and wondered whether this could be labor. It was around midnight. Because the contractions were not regular yet, I really wasn’t sure if this was labor. To pass the time, I watched some television and surfed the net. Contraction Master (a website […]

A sapphire in sandstone, Your heartbeat stretches landscapes. Seven times with in the hour, Confirmed your breathing is perfect. I need not worry, Your early morning dance in slumber Is safe with gnomes and fairies. If you dream this young, And I believe you do, Then why does not your father Join you in R.E.M. […]

My oldest son was a c/s bc the ob thought he was too big. I was young, ignorant and swayed quite easily. He was scheduled to be cut out of me one day after his due date. I never felt labor, and I barely remember his birth. He was 9lb 6oz 21 in and a […]

My journey started in 2006. My husband and I had just found out we were pregnant with our 4th baby, and I felt very strongly about having a home birth this time. My previous 3 babies were born in the hospital, and while it was not a terrible experience, it was not a great experience […]

(a poem in celebration of my youngest son’s home birth) **Christopher passed away in August 2012 leaving behind 2 young boys** You. Listen to the Audio Recording of this Poem You born in 2/4 time. An 87 minute movement. Allegro. Bath water still running. Father focused but flailing. Mother focused and firm. Hands ready and […]

A new life has begun in a stranger’s hands in a cold room filled with bright lights and unfamiliar voices. A tiny new babe has been “helped” from his safe cocoon like a chick whose shell has been peeled away by well-meaning fingers. This child does not know he has been born into an atmosphere […]

Name: April Kline Website: www.daraluznetwork.com Editor Note: Find out more about April here. How would you describe yourself: mother, midwife, birth activist, founder of non-profit organization 1. What change(s) do you want to see in birth? The two fundamental changes I would like to see are: -For all women to know all of their options […]

My oldest daughter’s first word was Dada. However, her father refuses to acknowledge that as a first word. He insists that all babies say Mama and Dada, so those two shouldn’t count. So, if we go with that idea, my daughter’s first word, was actually a set of words… This and That. Just after she […]