About Me

img_0510I am a mother, wife, educator (university professor), and classical singer. I found out I was pregnant (#2) on July 21 and due sometime in early April 2008 but miscarried my baby on August 1. I started this site before I miscarried, around the same time that I joined the ICAN yahoo list. Wow what I have learned since that day in late July 2007. I suffered another miscarriage beginning on October 7 which was even more tough physically and emotionally than the first. My most recent loss was at the end of February 2008 at 10 weeks. I am still recovering physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

I have always been a believer in natural (non-interventive) childbirth, and my knowledge and beliefs change as I become more aware and educated with regard to American childbirth practices, the safety and sanctity of homebirth, declining maternal-infant outcomes in traditional hospital settings, and the players involved in shaping chilbirth practices in America. I began participating in the ICAN yahoo group in July 2007, became a subscriber of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) in early September 2007, started a local chapter in October 2007, and most recently was appointed by the ICAN Board to editor-in-chief of the Clarion.

I use this site primarily in the following ways:

  1. Blog about the issues surrounding childbirth practices, namely vaginal birth, cesarean birth, VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)
  2. Journal about my pregnancy & miscarriages
  3. Collect information that will help me prepare for a future HBAC (homebirth after cesarean)
  4. Serve as a source of advocacy information for women like me who mourn – even amid happiness – the outcome of previous labor and delivery experiences
  5. Serve as a source of encouragement and community for others who wish to avoid cesareans

May we all learn to trust the miracle of the human body!

You can reach me by leaving a comment on a relevant post/page or:

labortrials *AT* gmail *DOT* com

Twitter: @msomustek and @labortrials