Disability is in the Eye of the Beholder

7.05 on Saturday the 4th of April saw the birth of Baby Freeborn... my woman's name for her new son, whilst his life name is being decided.
A beautiful, quiet, drug free, trauma free, family centred birth, in the comfort and security of the home. Breastfeeding was established very quickly with baby knowing exactly where he wanted to be... in the arms of his mother, and nobody else.

My woman recovered quickly... so much so, that she went shopping in the afternoon for the things she had not already bought for her baby, continuing to feed on demand and keeping her newborn next to her in a sling all the time.
My first postnatal visit was greeted with a cup of tea and a report of baby settled through the night, my woman recovering well, and watching her stroking her baby with her face and nose whilst he quietly fed in her arms.

So... what makes this home birth so special

My woman suffers from severe cerebral palsy, the result of suboptimal care at birth 28 years ago.
She has poor motor control, communicates with a unique language, and is wheelchair bound. She has a full time personal assistant, who helps her with her personal care and mobility, but has minimal tactile input with the baby, apart from helping with changing and positioning, when her devoted partner is busy with their other 5 year old son.

Myself and Sue (second midwife) were honoured to be part of their experience, where disability is swept into the background and normality triumphs....

B.. you truly are a birth Goddess and an inspiration to All Women x x