[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"So my question is, after Columbine, et. al. shouldn't any parent who doesn't homeschool be suspect?"

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You go,....Dutchgirl..!!!!

Funny you mention homebirthing...We would have done that. But it was more money...so we ended up having both kids at the doctor's office. No problems...no hassles. Home the same day....

Still took some incoming flak from friends and family....Oh well...that's life.

FRegards,

[Dutchgirl]

I had two home births, the first time with a midwife over the county line in Gadsden Co. Maggie 8lbs 6oz.(no doctors there, a rural farm community) followed by a "blackmarket" midwife birth in Leon County, Matthew 10lbs, 4 oz. I had a visit from the health department the day after I registered my son's birth.

I remember a rather surreal conversation wherein I explained that I did not want an episiotomy, scopalamine and five years of debt incurred for a normal bodily function. I had regular prenatal visits, but the visiting nurse still thought I was some kind of crank.

I did give birth in a hospital for my third, because I had been involved in a car wreck and had spotted throughout the pregnancy. The midwife in attendance called it the quietest "most professional" birth he had ever attended. Andrew 9lbs 12 oz.

I hated it. They took my child from me, removed his clothes and placed him under "warming lights" when his temperature dropped (in January). They stuck his foot full of needles and treated my husband, whom I had instructed to never leave his side, like an interloper. I checked out 12 hours later against the advise of my pediatrician, and we all went home and had a good rest.

We would have done that. But it was more money

Our midwife did this for barter, since she was prohibited by local ordinance from receiving money as compensation for her services. We paid for a new transmission for her VW, @$600.00. What were your medical bills like?

The birth of Matthew in particular stands out in my mind. I gave birth in a dim room (LeBoyer)and the bag of waters was intact. Matthews eyes were open and he was looking up at us through the bag, which we peeled back, like unwrapping a present.

We had argued for days over the name. Nathaniel, Matthew or Theodore and finally decided to choose based on the meaning. All three meant "Gift of God." Matt just sounded right. He starts college 9/2.