Tuesdays mornings at the birthing home are busy. We start the morning with loud music coming from the back patio where 35 pregnant women are doing exercises. These exercises strengthen and stretch their bodies for labor.

Laughter and singing join the sound of the rain falling outside. Next the midwives prepare for a
skit on child labor. On a previous Tuesday the women met in groups and dialogued about questions they had about this season of their lives.

Each class addresses the questions on topics like nutrition, breastfeeding, and childbirth. I play the role of the father in the skit. The women watch as their fears and questions are addressed. One midwife plays the role of the 'mother in law' who has a strong opinion and holds strongly to her traditional beliefs about labor. It is a fun time where walls are broken down and the women are strengthened in their role.

Next the women wait to be called for their pre-natal check ups. I was invited right away to take measure- ments and help the mom listen to the baby's heart beat. The midwives take time with each woman to talk about what they have been eating and if they have been doing their exercises.

I really appreciate the emphasis on the activities and eating habits of the mom in the belief that they directly affect the health and position of the baby. The women leave the clinic with a sense of dignity and responsibility. They know that they play a huge role in this process and the choices they make affect themselves and their baby. They know that if they do these, they will have a great labor. So awesome! Wednesday and Thursday are the same schedule. 30 to 40 women in the mornings for class and check ups. The afternoons are open for baby check ups and women in labor.

I helped with three labors just last week! The first labor I played the role as the 'husband' because the husband was occupied with another child. The most popular position at the birthing home is to sit on a birthing stool just a half foot off the ground. Then the woman leans back between the legs of her husband or friend, in this case it was me. I was so honored to be the encourager, to wipe the sweat from her brow, and keep her hair back. I was the one who got to feel the strength of her contractions and feel her body relax after each one. I got to be the one to remind her to breathe. I got to be the one to see her baby enter the world from the same view that she did, and to see the tears come down her face. I got to be the one to wipe her tears of joy and exhaustion. It was so amazing.

The two other births were just as inspiring. The women are graceful and strong. The midwives
believe in women and believe in birth. They believe that God made the woman's body to do what it needs to do. The midwives believe that if they walk along side the woman in labor, her body will naturally do what it needs to do.

To see a woman give birth in freedom is one of the greatest joys to see. One woman chose a different position then the others. The midwives regroup and do what they need to do to be in a position to catch. The position that the mother chose facilitated an easier birth for her 8 pound baby. She just listened to her body! In all three births there were no episiotomies and no tares! Amazing! In between contractions we encourage the moms to stand up and dance: move their hips in a circle. It is always helps the labor proceed.

Two Australian doctors (students in their 5th year) came and stayed at the birthing home the other night because they had never seen a natural birth and they were amazed. Can you imagine that? They had never seen the female human body give birth without intervention. I am learning a lot by observation and hands on practice. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. The nights at the birthing home have been good. The facility is very simple with no flushing toilets, no closed doors or lights in the bathroom, and no shower. But it is great community with the families of 4 midwives and a lady from Myanmar all residing together. Quite the experience! Holly Tonnesen