Laura Shanley-Unassisted Childbirth

In this interview I speak with Bob Berkowitz and Donna Barnes about unassisted childbirth. To learn more about unassisted childbirth visit http://unassistedchildbirth.com.

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People & Blogs

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• birth
• childbirth
• homebirth
• lactation
• male
• natural
• OneTrueMedia
• unassisted
• freebirth
• freebirthing
• laura
• shanley
• talk show
• interviews
• health

[moughtie]

holy cow! your partner lactated?I wonder if that is actually a mind over matter thing or if he was just 1 in a billion men who could do that.Were hoping to have a water birth at home.we've got atleast 3 different midwives that we cant count on one being over a hr away,one having eye surgery and the other we just cant understand.Ive been wtching tonnes of births to get prepared but I dont know whats gonna happen till we get there

[laurashanley]

We had read that men could lactate and were curious to see if David could do it simply through suggestion. Google "Milkmen: Fathers who Breastfeed" to read my article about it. Good luck with the birth!!

[Alaya7]

i'm so sad we can't watch laura giving birth on her knees in the bed anymore, it was the first birth video i saw, and the most beautiful one, it touched me so deeply i decided to take a doula course and it's so unfortunate the inspirig video can't be watched anymore.

congratulations

[laurashanley]

That actually was my friend Beatrice, but yes, it was a lovely birth. Unfortunately, youtube decided it violated their obscenity policy. So silly, as it wasn't nearly as graphic as some that are on here. Sigh.

[polapolanski]

wow! awesome! thank you so much! laura you opened my eyes! mind over matter - absolutely!!! you're truly a great woman. there is nothing that i cherish more than the ability and courage to think independently!

[laurashanley]

Thanks, Polapolanski! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[36hesperia36]

Thank you Laura!

I think people need to remember that unassisted childbirth isn't for everyone, but we need to challenge our ideas of 'normal' care. To me it is all risk vs benefits, and when you actually do your research and learn the risks of going the hospital...you'd have to be MORE brave to birth there in my opinion.

[36hesperia36]

I'm glad midwives are around for women who want your type of care, or who feel they need it. That is a very positive experience. Not one type of care is right for everyone.

I can understand you feeling defensive though, since if we empowered every woman to have an unassisted birth, you wouldn't have a job left. We have to think about why there are so many fear cycles in our society...money perhaps?

Also, I wish more midwives understood free birth and could provide prenatal care only. one day

[kittenfetus666]

You are so awesome and eloquent and I really enjoyed everything you had to say.

[SCLARK2112]

This lady is exactly right! We had our son at home with no assistance, just me & his mother. He was born feet first & came out just fine. Today he's a happy, healthy, home schooled 7 year old. While we love all of our children, our home birthed son will always be special. The vast majority of people seem to believe we need to spend thousands of dollars on doctors just to come into this world and it's simply not true. Unfortunately, we've turned birth, death & life into a money making business.

[lissistar1]

thank you laura, you are very concise and easy to understand, and you make a lot of sense, i will be using this interview and your website a lot as i talk with my opposed-at-the-moment husband about this. i have birthed 2 babies, 1 hospital-induced 3rd degree tear 8lb 9oz, 1 homebirth with midwives-10lb 3oz in 2 and a half hours despite an ob saying there was no way i could birth a big baby without tearing really badly! i didnt tear at all btw. if i can do that, i can do anything!!

[klarissa1985]

I love this interview and your homepage, Laura! I am expecting my first baby and I asked myself (before I read anything about "unassisted childbirth"), why the woman has to feel so good and enjoy her pregnancy and then when it comes to birth, she has to suffer...it just did not make any sense to me. Thank God, I have found the answers :-) Thank you!

[KaelaCarver]

I disagree with bringing in the design aspect of our bodies. I am atheist and believe that evolution is how we came to be, but I think we are entirely capable of having babies without interventions (and should)

[atijebooth]

well done! I've been following you for years. Even before my children were conceived.

[Ilovechristmas001]

What was up with that female reporter? Laura had just explained that wealthy women were often corseted and thus had pelvic deformities, and then the female reporter comes back with 'but wealthy women have had problems in labor'...I mean, would it be that hard to listen to what's already been said before speaking??? [sigh] I feel like so often people don't listen when it comes to these issues - and that's the real problem.

[fifthdaughter]

Thanks for getting this information out there! I think a lot of women don't realize that there are alternatives to giving birth in a hospital with 20 people in the room. Thanks again!