My labor varied so much from what was considered average or common. Classes taught me to expect 12 hours of early labor, and that I would enter the transition phase followed by a brief break before pushing began. Neither of those were true for me during my 57.5 hour labor

My two children were such incredibly different birth experiences.

We were planning a home birth, but didn’t have a home until the final hour. That kept things exciting.

I waited and waited every day after the day I was able to have my planned Birth here in Juneau. I expected to go early.

Since this was my fourth child, I felt I knew my body well enough to choose my own level of care.

Our baby was a complete surprise; sort of.