Lucien Loras Dexter was born surrounded in love and light on the 12th day of March, 2011.  It was one week before the largest full moon in 20yrs, 8 days prior to the spring equinox and 2 days after a massive earthquake in Japan.  He arrived on a Saturday.  It was 6:33pm.  He weighed 8.5 and stretched 21.5inches.  He dwarfed his older sister, Madilyn Marli.  
After a long peaceful bath on the evening of the 11th, I went to bed a little after 11pm to be awakened at 1:30am by “mild discomfort.”  I got up to use the usual method of relief, urination.  This method usually worked.  After going back to bed, I was unable to find comfort.  I rolled over to check the clock to see how long I had been fighting this and found it to be 2:45am. Really?  Over an hour and I couldn’t get comfortable.  It was then that I realized “something with synchronicity” was happening. 
Since Scott had yet to come to bed, I headed to the basement to tell him to time “contractions” or Braxton-Hix.  After taylor sitting on the floor, watching
“Sweet Home Alabama” for an hour and having consistent, 30-40second contractions every 4 minutes at best and every 7 at least, we decided to call Katy Joseph, apprentice to my midwife, Kathi Mulder.  It was 4:30am.  Kathi happened to be in Florida for the week and Katy was covering as the primary midwife. 
My backup midwives were Patrice Bobier, the longest practicing midwife in the state with more births than any other CPM and Amanda, her apprentice.  
I decided to call my mother and let her know labor was starting.  She
was on her way by 5:30am (with a 3hr drive).  Scott made me scrambled eggs.  While I ate we discussed what the day ahead would look like and last minute things . . . in order to be on the same page before my brain shut off.  Things like . . . No prenatal screening, immediate family bonding time, Madilyn in the
room during the birth, etc.  
Katy suggested I take a shower, so I did that next.  It was 5:30am.  Contractions continued.  I crawled into bed with my husband, hoping to be able to sleep a bit before Madilyn awoke.  I honestly don’t know how it was possible but, I slept the 4-7 minutes in between contractions, woke in the midst of a contraction, breathed through it and went back to sleep.  At 8:15am, the contractions were too much to handle in the side laying position.  I got up and came downstairs to find my mother walking up the front porch steps. We greeted each other.  She unloaded the car.  I made us tea.  I called Katy again.  She mentioned that she would come when
I asked her to, and I said now is not the time. 
Mom and I sat at the kitchen table chatting casually in between contractions until Madilyn awoke at 9:30am.  She was excited to see Tayta (Syrian for Grandmother), my mother.  We began gathering last minute items and prepping things for after the
birth.  Madilyn played with stickers, activity books and colored.   Around 11am, the intensity of contractions increased and Mom and Dilyn began giving me hands on Reiki to ease through them.  Still contractions were 45-60seconds and 4minutes apart.  
At 11am Madilyn gladly woke Scott up.  He had some last minute Honey-Do items; i.e. vacuum, empty garbage’s, fill the birthing pool and of course get himself ready.  Around noon Madilyn, Mom and I ate 7-layer bean dip with flax seed crackers for lunch in order to have something for lasting energy in labor. 
Scott and I took Zues for a walk around 11:30, while mom stayed and played with Dilyn.  It was a cold, windy day, with wet snow coming down.  It was a perfect day to be inside giving birth and cuddling a new
baby.  I was insistent to have fresh air and a bit of exercise before contractions got too heavy.  We walked arm in arm and stopped when needed to breath through contractions.  It was freezing, but nice.  It was here that I
realized I was entering the serious stage of labor.  
  We went up stairs, to Dilyn’s room about 1pm.  I tried side lye position. 
I used the birth ball.  Mostly, I sat in the glider to relax.  Dilyn and mom read stories and continued to play in order to keep her busy and for me to have access to the Reiki energy.  Scott joined us in Dilyn’s room about 2pm when everything was ready for birth.  He continued to time contractions for duration and length.  
I asked for tangerines at about 3pm because my mouth and lips were so dry from breathing, I was craving the juice to quench my thirst. 
My father arrived bringing more things for Madilyn and they played
downstairs together from 3-5:30pm.  It
was at this point that the intensity of contractions increased again.  Pressure was low and with each
contraction I thought certainly my bag of waters would burst. 
I was subconsciously waiting for this to happen before the final call to
Katy.  I was also having hot and cold flashes (a sign of transition) and didn’t want to take any chances with Katy’s 2hr drive from Traverse 
City.  When I told Scott that there were a couple “hard ones” in a row and then asked duration and length.  He responded with,“They are now over 60 seconds and still 4 minutes apart.”  I said, “Call Katy and text Sarah.”  
Katy and Sarah were on the way by 3:30pm. Sarah is a friend who had agreed to be present at the birth to take pictures and share her energy and knowledge of naturopathy if any unexpected situation arose.  
Patrice arrived at 4:20pm.  She
observed me shortly in a very positive light and then calmly headed downstairs to wait.  I was in final stages of late first stage labor.  She said, “I didn’t bring any supplies with me.  I came straight from the farmers market.  Amanda is bringing everything for birth with her and should be here shortly.” 
Amanda arrived at 4:45pm and began to set up all necessary birth supplies as well as emergency supplies.  She questioned me about food, water, contractions, and used the Doppler on baby.  Everything was on track.
Sarah arrived at 5:00pm.  She greeted me with the smile of a friend, a warm embrace and the supportive energy I needed.  Tears burst from my eyes.  We had small talk in between contractions.  During contractions
she and my mother created a plethora of smooth Reiki energy which vibrated
inside of me with intense furocity.  They were on either side of me enveloping me in love and light.  This energy, I believe allowed me to let go completely and enhanced contractions once more.  From here things progressed very quickly.  Contractions were intense, sharp, low, double peaking sensations. 
Katy arrived at 5:40pm and again I was whole heartedly glad to see her.  Not only was she one of my midwives, but someone who had become a friend whom I respected greatly.  She was in her 3rd year of apprenticeship.  Madilyn was her 12th birth and Lucien was her 99th birth and the 13th birth she had
acted as lead midwife for.  I had watched her grow into an incredible midwife.  We embraced and I wept in her arms.  The next contraction came and went. 
She asked if I felt like getting into the tub and I gasped yes.  She asked if I wanted her to check me first and I said, “Yes, but I don’t think I can lay down that long.”  She said let’s try.  Amazingly, she managed to check me quickly, without a contraction. 
She removed her hand with my entire mucus plug on her pointer and middle fingers, stating, “Oh, there’s your plug.”  And then, “Actually Heather, you’re a
really big 9.”  Without hesitation, I began climbing off the bed and said with disbelief, “I am So In the Pool Already.”  I didn’t make it before the next contraction.  I dropped to all fours to get through it, in order to get into the birthing pool.  Mom and Sarah were right there to help me through. 
Contraction ends.  
The room was warm, dimly lit, quiet, and filled with only positive energy.
Sarah grabbed her camera.  Mom and Scott helped me in the pool.  It is now 6:01pm.  The water enveloped me in warmth, comfort and familiarity.  I was on my knees leaning over the edge with Scott on one side and my mother on the other.  As I began calling to the angelic realm for support and compassion, I felt my daughter climb into the pool to comfort me like a tiny premature mother.  She went from sweet and caring beyond her nearly three years to wanting to do belly flops in the pool. 
She ended up watching the birth from behind, with Papa.  
 My Father, a veterinarian, was a much calmer, relaxed, quieter observer than at Madilyn’s birth, where he questioned all aspects of humans giving birth outside of a hospital. 
I called in Archangel Raphael, Michael, Gabrielle, Mother Mary, Mary Magdeline, Angels of midwifery and doulas, and many others.  I began pushing at 6:13pm.  My bag of waters broke, pressure release, sharpness gone.  They call it submerged rupture of membranes.  It was clear and free of meconium. 
Welcome burning sensations almost immediately, stretching and ring of
fire.  Amanda reached in with the doppler to check fetal heart tones, it was uncomfortable, I told her, “Amanda, No more the baby is fine.”  Katy
replied, “Awe, sweetie we need to check the baby.”  I felt like I barely had a break between pushing contractions, they were
a seemingly continuous wave!  I began saying “Big and Open” over and over again.  I knew affirmations were powerful.  At 6:23pm the group could see the head.  I was breathing, panting, blowing and saying oooohhhhh in order to release while pushing.  My glutes tensed, my arms reached, my hands opened, my neck and head raised through each contraction.  As they subsided, I had minimal time to relax before the next one came.  Intense burning, pressure, stretching, the most powerful completely overwhelming sensation I had ever felt.  At 6:31pm the head, was
born.  Madilyn and I both felt his head, as we did he kicked my guts.  As if saying, I either want to be in or out - not both!  Then a final push to release shoulders with a left occiput anterior rotation. 
Much to my Surprise . . . He was born.  A Boy!
Lucien Loras was born at 6:33pm.  
I reached between my legs, and brought my baby out of the water.  It was a surprise and a shock to find I had given birth to a boy. As the entire pregnancy I felt in the
deepest inner most part of my being that I was carrying a little girl. It was a beautiful parturition, loving and sweet introduction to our future.  
Nuchal cord once. 
Flat, non-pulsing cord. 
Katy stated she had never seen before.   Lucien was covered in thick, creamy,
white vernix. Madilyn touched it and smiled. The midwives rubbed it in.  Katy took heart rate and listened to lungs. Amanda began to rub his feet and back in order to get him to start breathing.  Lucien took his first breath about 25 seconds after coming out of the water. He pinked right up, began looking around and picked his head up.  As I looked up at my birth team, while holding Lucien I saw only wide-eyes and smiles. I was so glad to have each and every one of them there, each bringing a unique love and support to surround me with.  
Scott was proud.
Madilyn was proud.
Tayta and Papa were proud. 
Mama was proud.
And Sarah recieved a new light for what Birth Can be like, given the chance.
Contractions continue, placenta still needs to exit.  With help I exited the birthing pool and used the birthing stool to push the placenta out, while still holding my son.  Whew! What an experience; so non-textbook, so different from Madilyn’s experience.  
Katy later stated, “Heather I know you had considered an unassisted birth this time.  You definitely could have done this birth without any help.  You did an amazing job.”  Maybe birth three, if and when it happens will be unassisted?
Amazing, incredible, fantastic, powerful, intense and wonderful are the words I would use to describe this birth.  I would not trade the ability to feel every second of Madilyn’s birth or Lucien’s birth for the drug induced dazed numbness that 89% of the birthing population requests without knowing.  I believe natural birth is the most empowering experience a woman can do in her lifetime. 
Once again I am thankful for having taken Natural Childbirth Education classes, The Bradley Method.  I can’t imagine going into labor and birth with no education as to how to do it naturally or what to expect.  Knowledge truly is power.  
Lack of knowledge = Lack of Choice.  
*This story was written 4 days after Lucien's birth with Raw Emotions.
I honor and respect every woman's right to decide what is best for them and their family.

This was Written, 4Days Postpartum.
Madilyn Marli Dexter graced us with her presence at 2:30am on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008.  She weighed a tiny 6 lbs and stretched her perfect little body to 19 inches in length. Scott (my
husband) & I consider ourselves to be unbelievably lucky to have fallen into Kathi’s incredible line of rapport by mere chance, or as some would have it, FATE.  
I had always questioned hospital births for reasons, I just happened to believe as my opinion.  After going through a 40 week period of reading and researching everything I possibly could on hospital births, births in the USA vs. other countries, vaccinations, Doctors & Midwives, breastfeeding, disposable diapers, phthalates & BPA’s & fire-retardant mattresses etc.,  I realized raising a child & being a parent is the most important job anyone can choose to do.  Yes it is a choice.  It requires a want and
instills an importance in my spirit unlike anything I have ever felt before.  
    I believe we are prepared to raise our daughter with her best interest in mind.  Not the best interest of general public opinion, not that of any doctor, any friends or family, but that of her most important and necessary needs.  After this experience I would recommend home birth to any woman that is completely confident in her body and the way that it will work if given the opportunity.  After we had made the decision to go through with the homebirth, it was a thought that not only comforted but excited me.  I would be doing what Mother Nature says is right; giving birth in MY nest.  I did as much positive visualization as I possibly could whenever I had
the chance. The pool was set, the room was ready & I continued stretches and normal daily activities to the best of my ability.  
    We believe “pre-active” labor started on Sunday evening April 27th.  I would describe the initial feeling as that similar to menstrual cramping.  I wasn’t sure what to expect so I began my day by going to Curves for a nice final work out, if this was in fact labor.  I then proceeded to take Zeus, Madilyn’s older brother (our Rottweiler) for our usual walk.  It was on that walk that I realized my contractions (which I had ignored, up till this point, 1:00pm) were regular every 20 minutes for roughly 30 seconds and much more intense than menstrual cramping.  When they
came, I had to stop walking and focus on what was happening.  When Zeus & I got home I called both Kathi (our midwife) & my mother to inform them of possible labor (I still wasn’t convinced this was what all the women were talking about). 
My mom was certain and on her way shortly after our conversation. While waiting for her, they intensified more and I found it necessary to focus on the relaxation we had been taught in our birthing class, The Bradely Method.  
     It was 3:30pm when my mother arrived at our home.  She began constructively working Reiki (positive energy) through my body and centering on my uterus.  My contractions were now every 12 minutes and about 40 seconds long.  It was about 4 deep belly breaths to get through one and I now knew what labor was.  I found myself lying on the floor in our living room in front of the fireplace, doing my best to read.  I had no concept of time by this point and was doing my best to concentrate on relaxing my entire body during each contraction (which proved to be extremely difficult).  My husband returned home from work at a little after 6:00pm to find me on the floor & my mother hovering over me.  With a smile on his face, he was by my side in seconds, exited for the arrival of our daughter, his only known blood relative.  Within 30 minutes something burst inside me, what seemed like a little balloon popping (my water bag).  It seemed as if I had peed my pants and had no control over the continuous flow.  I began crying immediately.  My emotions heightened and I realized this was it! I would soon meet our daughter.  The little being that had been growing inside me for the past 40 weeks. 
Who was she?  What would she look like?  So many questions began filling my head.
            Scott called Kathi immediately.  I had calmed myself down and began playing “Go Fish” with my husband in between contractions at the dining room table.  Kathi arrived at our home at roughly 8:00pm.  By this point my contractions had been increasing in strength and time, at this point I understood why many women gave up on their bodies and requested “drugs”. Contractions were now every 4 minutes for 40 seconds now.  I was extremely relieved to see Kathi and felt my emotions well up once again and over flow out of my eyes.  She asked me a series of questions and shortly after I moved to a green leather, high back chair in our living room.  This entire time I met each contraction with what I was taught was best, deep belly breathing and as close to a completely relaxed body as I could possibly have.  With each one I found comfort in my husband on one side of my body and my mother on the other, each doing their part to assist in relaxing my tension.  
     The doula’s, Katie & Julie, walked in at around 9:00pm and began preparing the supplies and getting the birthing pool ready.  They went right to work, like they had done it 1000 times.  My father walked in at 10:00 with dinner for Scott and my Mom from Mickey D’s.  He was antsy and seemed out of place, though I knew he was thrilled to be there.  His experience with birth is vast in cattle, horses, dogs, cats and any animal other than human.  In humans, it is merely me and my brothers, 3 births he has witnessed & none like this.  Everyone knew their role but him.  He was anxious and began completing small tasks to keep himself occupied, i.e. measuring peroxide rations to sterilize the water in the birthing pool, fixing the damper on the chimney, going on a coffee run, boiling water, etc.  
    I vomited a large amount of fluid at about 11:00pm.  Kathi then approached me with the words I had been longing to hear, “The pool is full & I would be okay if you thought you might want to get in.”  Then she said, “I would like
to check you first and see where you’re at?”  I knew I was ready to get in the pool
and was sure I was close to pushing, close to 10.  When she checked my cervix she found that I was 100% effaced and 5cm dilated.  “You have got to be
kidding me!” I said.  She remained calm and stated, “This may not be enough for you at this time, Heather, but some women progress fairly fast from this point on.  Your hardest work is over.”  I wasn’t so sure I believed her but I heard exactly what she said.  At this point she, Katie, Julie and my parents went to lie down for a bit because they expected it would take another several hours before I was ready to push. 
I tried to lie down as well (for I was beginning to tire) but the contractions intensified.  After two contractions, I decided I needed to & was going to get into the
pool.  
     In the pool, I sat at first, this didn’t appease my body any more than lying down.  I was glad I had the freedom to put my body in any position I saw fit.  I became comfortable in the kneeling position and leaning over the edge.  I was in the pool (what seemed like just minutes, I had no concept of time) for about an hour and a half and my body changed; the contractions became . . . different.  Scott, my husband, hadn’t left my side since Kathi arrived, I didn’t realize it was already 1:00am, but I was exhausted & just starting to feel “pushy.”  I asked Scott to go get Kathi because I felt a sudden urge to push.  She was in the room minutes later and
minutes after that the whole gang was back on track and ready for the baby.
       It was a totally different sensation, bearing down and breathing with
contractions and still focusing on relaxing during breaks.  Who would have thought, relaxing would have been so very difficult.  There was always a spot I forgot to relax, or couldn’t see myself.  Scott or my mother seemed to find it, touch it and remind me that it too, needed to be relaxed.  At 2:09am Kathi placed her hand on mine, and then reached it between my legs so I was able to feel her fuzzy head beginning to protrude.  I knew she was close and became focused on meeting my daughter.  
     Madilyn’s head crowned (with her right arm) at 2:29 am.  She was born at 2:30am to the Foo Fighters song “Home” playing on the birthing CD Scott had burned.  With the umbilical cord wrapped 3x around her neck,  Kathi speedily
spun her tiny body in the water until she was free & then passed her between my legs so I could be the first to hold my daughter & bring her out of the water.  She was (& still is) the most beautiful, innocent, incredible thing I had ever seen.  The feeling of falling in love consumed my body and I was awe struck!  Meanwhile, Kathi was working around my sense of shock rubbing her body and milking her cord to get her to breath.  I couldn’t understand the sense of urgency.  I didn’t know about the cord.  I had never seen Kathi in any temper other than calm, collective and certain. With Madilyn’s bright eyes wide open and looking around I wasn’t worried, I simply listened to Kathi & hugged my daughter.  I knew she was still
receiving oxygen & blood through the cord from the placenta and was confident in her breathing in her own time.  Kathi was calling out orders to the doulas, Katie & Julie, while rubbing Madilyn’s body, talking to her and prepping to give her oxygen.      
    After 90 seconds she began breathing with a gurgle & immediately turned pink.  Kathi suctioned her mouth and nose and then she was clear & breathing well. 
After 10 minutes her apgar test was a 9.  Once Madilyn was alert, the focus then switched to pushing the placenta out.  It was 3:09am when the placenta was birthed.  Scott then cut the cord connecting the only organ ever made to be disposable & the life force to our daughter, Madilyn Marli for the past 9 months.  We were all quite amazed and exhausted with the whole process of birth and even more amazed at the perfection in natural birth.  It was a great feeling to only have positive comments throughout the process. Not once was I asked to take drugs. Not once was I told my body wasn’t working correctly or quickly enough.  Not once was I told my baby or myself were in danger.  I was surrounded in comfort, love and support entirely and therefore only ever felt sure of my body & my baby.  
     Now looking back, I am 99% sure that had I chose to have a hospital birth, being dilated to only 5cm after 12 hours of HARD labor (25 hours of labor) I would have been advised & pushed to take Pitocin for the safety of my child.  I maybe would have been lumped into the 33% of women in the USA that are told their bodies don’t know how to give birth.  I am thankful, we chose to research, take a birthing class and gather as much information as we possibly could about births.
I encourage you To Research All.


  

This Year, I was honored to serve 12 families as their Birth Doula. I served them in their homes and in transferring to the hospital. I am pleased to welcome; Grail, Isla, Noah, Kellen, Bella, Elise, Raeghan, Ignatious, Cooper, Charley, Ripley and Barret.
I am always amazed when I hear Pregnancy, Labor and Birth being placed in a box. Birth is not a one size fits all topic, folks. Of the 22 births I have attended, None have come close to being similar. This isn't hundreds or even thousands. I realize what medical provider’s experience, prior to ending residency.
I have to say, I believe each and every Woman is Uniquely prepared for her experience, most women, without the necessity of medical interventions. The couple has to decide what is right for them, in the most intense moments of doubt and insecurity, in the transition of labor, she prepares to leave pregnancy (being two souls) and becoming 1 soul again, the act of Parturition is the end of Gestation.
I was honored to serve as a support, a witness, a counsel, a teacher, a doctor, a sister, a friend, a coach, an advocate, a bodyguard but most importantly a person who believes in their right to CHOOSE, holding unbiased thought for their decisions.
My Role as a Birth Doula is Indescribable. Being present at Birth is amazing. 
    Arriving at the hospital and having them say, "your a nine." 
    Watching a mother who has had prelabor for 2weeks, with contractions every 10-    25minutes around the clock, who has been in active labor for 24hours and who 
    has pushed for 4.5hrs, give birth to a sweet beautiful girl without tire, without 
    intervention, at home. 
    To have clients who are Nurses, Vascular Surgeons, Anesthesiologist, and 
    Pharmacists choose you because they KNOW the danger of Drugs and want the 
    best for their families, and sought me because of my knowledge in Natural 
    Modalities. 
    To see new life come to fruition. 
     To see the father cry at the sight of his seed, 9 months in the making. 
     To watch the mother say, "Oh My God, It was so worth it to do it natural." and 
    "I can't wait to do it again!" 
     To watch the baby be put to breast for the first time. 
     To see the unbreakable bond of family be created in the first 60 minutes 
    postpartum. 
     To watch these families grow. 
This is what MOVES me to do what I do, To be away from my family for days, To be awake for days, To fast (not Eat) for days while supporting a couple. I say its
so worth it to see Life Enter this World.
 I would be a Liar however if I said this year as a Doula did not include traumatic
experiences for me. There is desensitization in birth process by the medical community, with many interventions and in believing these interventions create no harm.
     Observing the a Screw to an IFHM be placed into the unborn baby’s scalp, only 
    to have a bow glued onto the wound
    Observing the use of a vacuum extractor to pull out a baby in one swift move, 
    this baby may have neck or spinal concerns later
    Observing an induction take 72hours, because the baby was going to be huge . . .
    7lb baby was born, obviously premature because of the length of induction
    Supporting a mom in the course of a 5day labor
    Observing a Home Birth Transfer because Fetal Heart tones dropped, baby had a 
    nuchal cord 3x and Compound Presentation
    Watching a Mother create a 3rd degree tear pushing, because she was numb and 
    on her back, being told to push harder

 These are not normal occurrences in Birth.  We create problematic situations because we interfere with the course of Nature.  Allow yourself to be Truly Educated for the Pregnancy, Labor and Birth Experience you wish to achieve.  It will take more than the trust of your doctor.  Consider Natural Childbirth Education classes outside of the Hospital or Hiring a Doula or Both.              

The Big Box Arrived.  So Scott, my husband and Madilyn, my 4yr old, were determined to assemble it that evening.  Madilyn and Scott worked for hours and finally finished assembling her new Loft bed.  Tayta, my mother, had bought it for her.  She had been asking  nightly to share a room, with Lucien, her 19mo old brother for the past 6weeks.  This reqest was finally met.
 She really couldn't wait to spend the night sleeping in her new bed.  She was so excited. She could touch the stars on her cieling.  The hanging planets were dangling at her feet.  Madilyn could not wait.  Bed time had arrived. Her teeth were brushed without question. Her stories had been picked out. She listened intently as they were read.  She was tucked in, cuddled and kissed goodnight. 
Lucien was down with Scott watching Baseball, waiting his turn for or bedtime routine.  I was on call.  I had a Mother in the early stages of Labor.  I knew my time was short and so I headed for the Bath. 
While trying to utilize my bathtime to relax, singing filled my ears.  I managed to get in about 15minutes. Then, I perked up a bit.  I could hear footsteps climbing up and down the Loft Ladder.  It was now obvious that Madilyn had no intent on sleeping in her "loft Bed" any time soon.  I pulled my body from the tub, as a text came through on my phone.  I knew the text meant it was now time to join the expectant couple in labor.  I wrapped my body in a towel.  It was nice while it lasted.  I was half concentrating on Madilyn's activities and half concentrating on mentally reviewing my materials needed to support this couple. 
As I dry my body, the singing turned to screams and my heart sank.  "It hurts!  It Hurts!"  These were sounds coming from My Daughter.  I knew exactly what had happened without being present.  The scene flashed before my eyes and I felt panic!  I dropped my towel, took two deep breaths and headed her way . . . naked.  
I reached for her light.  It didnt work.  The fan was spinning.  In the shadows, streams of blood trickled down her face as she sat in her new loft bed.  I rushed up the loft stairs, grabbed her and carried her to the hallway where the light shone bright.  As I lay her on the floor, Scott reached the top of the stairs with Lucien in tow.  It was then that I realized my words repeating over and over, "oh my God, oh my God, oh my God."  I immediately looked up at his face, and knew that I had to pull it together.  I mustered up all the composure I could, and said to him, "Get me a washcloth, go get my birth bag out of my car, bring me my phone, and honey, now.  He threw me a washcloth, set Lucien down, slid my phone to me and headed down the stairs to complete the list.
Lucien walked over, sat on the carpet next to Madilyn and watched my every move.  I began deep breathing and relaxation exercises with Madilyn.  She began to calm.  I took a picture with my phone and sent it to my father.  You see, my father is a Veterinarian.  I had watched him stitch literally 100's of animals and wounds, including my own body.  I wasn't going to the hospital unless I absolutely had to. He would certainly know if I needed to take her to E.R. 
My "mother's intuition" on the other hand said, "Heather, you are 8 classes shy of being a Nationally Certified Naturopathic Doctor, you know exactly how to handle this without medical professionals."  I sent the picture and then called my father. 
Mean while Scott had returned.  I listened intently to my father's words, while holding Madilyn and while instructing Scott on what remedies I needed.  "Aconite, Arnica, Peace & Calming, Hydrogen Peroxide, Honey!"  I was preparing Madilyn's body to clear the trauma from the event and begin the healing process NOW.  I hung up the phone with my father and forced myself to to find inner peace with the fact that she would need stitches.  I wasn't listening to my intuition anymore, I had completely disreguarded it as my EGO.  I was instead acting from Naturopathic Emergency training, I had read, heard and studied numerous times. 
It was now 11:30pm and I called my friend and neighbor to seek out a place for Lucien.  I could not take him to the E.R. too.  I called the couple I was heading out to support and informed them I would be delayed.
I loaded my birth kit materials back into the car.  Scott loaded Madilyn into his car.  Kathy, our nieghbor came to get Lucien.  We all headed out.  I administered a series of natural remedies about 5 times prior to arriving in the E.R.
Ok . . . So What Happened?!

Madilyn should have been sleeping.  Her light was off.  She was too excited to sleep.  She decided to read in bed.  She descended the loft.  Turned on the light.  Retrieved books.  Turned off the light and returned to her bed.  As she reached the bed, she realized she needed light.  She leaned over to pull the light cord on the ceiling fan.  She instead pulled the fan cord.  So she leaned back in, to pull the light cord and the fan cracked her right accross the forehead.  A corner laceration was created, tissue split open, blood flowed out.  With a .5" difference from the location it hit, she would have been able to join a pirate crew due to lack of an eye.  With blood strewn over herself, her loft and her comforter.  It looked like we had sacrificed a rabbit in her bed. 
Upon arrival to the E.R. we were questioned, the same questions by 1. front desk, 2. intake nurse, 3. pediatric nurse, 4. physicians assistant and then finally 5. the Pediatrician.  It was redundant and silly.  I continued to administer homeopathics after each questioning period. 
The Pediatrician squatted.  He used a wipe to try to open the split tissue.  I was waiting for questioning or a weird look at the very least.  I had smeared honey over the wound several times as it is an excellent wound healer.  He sighed.  Here it comes I thought, let's hear it.  He continued to stare at Madilyn and said, "We aren't going to do anything.  If I stitch this I have to poke 6-12 more wholes in her face and it just isn't worth it."  Then my Brain took over . .  and all I heard was Waaa Wa WAAA Wa Waaa, just like the adults on Charlie Brown.  I looked at him and said, "I could Kiss you on the mouth right now!  Thank you!  That is exactly what I wanted to hear!"  The remedies did their job.  The honey pulled the tissue together.  No STITCHES! 
I use natural remedies every single day of my life.  I am still awed by their strong healing power.  I need to remember in my own life, Do Not 2nd guess, Believe!  I do believe in my profession, as I have seen its work firsthand time and time again. 
Needless to say it was an eventful evening and this was just the beginning for me.  Scott and Madilyn headed home, grabbing Lucien on the way.  I then headed down the road to join my laboring couple.  Within 3 hours, I returned to the same Hospital E.R. with very awkward looks. 
"Weren't you just here?"  "Are you working?"  Wow, you're going to have a long night."  Thanks folks!  Stating the obvious is fun.  I simply smiled and nodded.
It was however a beautiful natural Labor and Birth.  Baby Girl was born at 11:00am.  I had been awake for over 24hrs, not an uncommon experience.  However, after returning home that afternoon, I removed the fan blades from the cieling fan and went to bed.