love + statistics = the new birth center study.

For the amount of importance they hold in my life and in my work, I don't talk much online about my children's births. Because I work with women all across the birth choices spectrum, my own preferences are usually irrelevant to theirs. I try to only share with client families when asked, or when I think it can help...We are all walking our own unique journeys through motherhood.

What I do feel strongly about is that women know what options are available to them--and that more options are made available to them. 

I've given birth once in a hospital, and once out of one, and my preference for myself as a woman with no health issues is to stay out. My son was heathily and happily born in a free-standing birth center, so when the new study on birth centers was released last week I was inspired to share over here on the Barefoot Birth blog. 

Whenever I post there from now on I'll make sure to share here as well, but please pop over and explore the work being done by my partner doulas and family-support collective. Jeanine is now doing birth photography, so there'll be lots of beautiful images to share soon too!

I'm off to Spin some Babies with Gail Tully this weekend and I could not be more excited. My own first baby was born "sunny side up" and gave me quite a time so I have a special place in my heart for the funky positions, but goodness gracious let's work on getting these babies in the right ones! 

Can't wait to share what I learn. More soon!

And I just love these info/statement graphics from the American Association of Birth Centers...