Feedback from Birthlink Parents
This section includes feedback regarding use of the website, personal contact and Informed Birth Consultations.
The birth went great. We went with your recommendation to check out home birth midwives. Ours was is AMAZING!! We also did the Bradley Classes. Labor was only 11 hrs total, and 43 min from time my water broke until our daughter was born…at home. It was the most incredible experience ever!
I feel you and your organization are a wonderful resource to have-I have used your website often and value the newsletter I receive as well.
— Grateful Suburban Mom
Things went really well! Our son was born March 4th here at home and weight a whopping 9 lbs. It was a pretty long labor but so worth it. As soon as he arrived it was so wonderful! The feelings were so different than I had with my first in the hospital. I did use a certified nurse midwife and no one else, just her assistants. Thanks for all of your help and resources before the birth… glad to know you’re out there for other mothers like me!
Yes, we got everything we hoped for—a great home birth with a midwife (with some last-minute but crucial assistance from a goddess of a woman, our doula) and had a big, beautiful baby girl on Friday, December 13th. She was 9 and a half pounds and 21 and a half inches long.
—All the best, A Happy Mom
Our daughter was born on March 24 at 11:00 pm. She was a healthy 7 lb, 8 oz. We had her at home with our midwife. She had her assistants with her, and we had family and friends in attendance, as well for labor support. It was a long labor — 18 hours of active labor and pushing. And it was all worth it — we are both so glad we had her at home. We know we would have had a much different experience if we had been in the hospital. Thank you for helping us to clarify our wants and needs for the birth.
We rented a tub and I used it during my labor. I loved it — I was too exhausted when it came time to push to climb back into the tub to actually have a water birth but I think it would have made it easier. Next time I think I want to try to have the baby in the water.
We did attend birthing class—it was wonderful. We highly recommend it to anyone planning a natural birth. Thank you again for your help – we are definitely advocates of home birth. We can’t stop talking about how wonderful it was.
And we’ve been sending all kinds of people to your website for information. Thanks for maintaining that as a resource.
—Best wishes to you, Another happy mother!
I have used Birthlink to help find my midwives. You were super helpful to me 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child and I sent you a birth announcement because I remembered that you said that it was your hope to have a wall full of birth announcements. Birthlink has been a great resource for me and I recommend it to other women.
—Deepest thanks, Park Ridge Mom
I think BirthLink is a fabulous resource and I will be honored to be a part of the birth community! I know that tons of people go there so it is very exciting.
— Thanks again, South Side Apprentice Midwife
We have recovered from our miscarriage this winter and are having another go at it!!! We are hopeful and blessed to have had that time being pregnant and coming to see you. You are a tremendous resource and gift to people looking to connect with the birthing community.
—Thank you, Chicago Parents
Yes, everything is great…the birth went well…we labored at home about 6 centimeters dilated…we were at the hospital about 8 hours for the final labor and push…9.2 lbs 21.5 inches. Thanks for all your help…The doula made all the difference in the world!!!
—Regards, Grateful Dad
Just wanted to drop you a short note to tell you our daughter arrived on Oct. 5 at 7:04 pm. She was 8 lbs. 14 oz and 21 inches long. I was able to have a drug free vaginal delivery—a 40-hour labor and VBAC success! Besides all of the prep that I did, I think we were successful because I chose the right birth team—our doula and midwife were both supportive, encouraging and fabulous!
— Warmly, Glowing Chicago Mom
I just wanted to thank you for meeting with my husband and I yesterday. It was very helpful in moving our thinking forward. I was especially pleased that my husband found it useful… In fact, it was quite a bonding experience—it made me realize that we were in it together, and I was extremely touched by his willingness to consider other birthing possibilities. Thanks also for ‘The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Pregnancy’, which is mind-blowing.
— Chicago Couple
I want to thank you for all of the amazing work you do for the birth community. You have touched countless lives with your Shiatsu work, your public education work, with Birthlink. Know that you are making a difference, even when making a living is a little more elusive, your work enriches people’s lives. Thank you.
—Warmly, Oak Park Mom
We had our son last month on 8/23. He weighed in at 9lb 2oz and came out with is arm over his shoulder like he was trying to scratch his back! The birth was pretty tough. The labor in total lasted 56 hours, 24 as hard labor (even though the 24 before that felt pretty hard). We labored at home with two midwives and our doula until about the 48th hour. I was at 7cm for a long time. Then we went to the hospital so I could get an epidural and pitocin. I slept for a few hours and was able to push our son out. It was a tough labor but I am so happy with the decisions we made and our birth team was phenomenal, staying with us for about 36 hours straight. I’m pretty sure that if I had just planned a straight up hospital birth I would have had a c-section! Now we are all doing well but sleepy. And thanks for all your help in helping us navigate the birth world.
—Tired but happy, Chicago Mom
Thank you for the information. We have one more video to watch and then I will return them to you. It has been wonderful to see different alternatives for birthing. We are really considering a water birth after watching the videos.
Thank you for meeting with us and sharing your knowledge of the birthing process. It makes a seemingly overwhelming process not seem so intense to have people to guide you through it
—Take care, Chicago Mom
I have been meaning to call. I had a baby girl on May 21st. No interventions, my husband did wonderful and I simply used my faith in Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance…the practice of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong). I also think that by learning not to fear the pain… and how to handle it did the trick as well. Although it was painful!
— My best, Indiana Mom