Bébé Léo is here!

Bébé Léo, a little tired after all that work

After 9 months of prep work and 3 days of labour, bébé Léo was born at home, as hoped and dreamed of by his parents.  He was (according to the "due date" calculations) 8 days late, but really, he was just in time... as Léo was born at 5h20 the morning of June 5, World Environment Day... How best to start his journey on Earth!

The mugshots!

Today it is bébé Léo's 3 weeks birthday :) and now that bébé and father are sound asleep, I take 5 minutes to write about the beginning of his exciting journey.

Having often been influenced by my maternal grand-parents, giving birth was going to be no exception.  My grand-mother managed to raise 9 healthy kids who were all born at home, an admirable accomplishment, and I have always dreamed of giving birth at home myself.  Plus I was lucky enough to know some very strong ladies in Montreal who had done home birthing before me, and their courage and strength had inspired me. Of course, hospitals save lives and when situations get more complex, modern medicine is a blessing.  But since birth is one of the oldest and most important event in Life's continuing history, I see it as a moment to be treasured, a rite of passage, a sacred bond between parents and the new child who is coming into this world. For this reason we wanted to go through this experience with the least medical intervention, as naturally as possible and in a space and place that is comforting and familiar.  What better place than our own home?!

Our midwives

3rd day of labor... ouf!

We had no idea, until the birth actually happened, whether I was going to be able to go through with it or if I was going to back out at the last minute in fear that something would go wrong... :) but we did get through it in the end!  After making sure we did everything we could to grow a healthy baby during the pregnancy, it took 3 days of labor to come out, and a cord wrapped around Léo's neck!  It was long and exhausting, but mom, dad and baby are all fine, healthy and happy. And although the birth was long, it was not that painful, and it truly was an amazing and exhilarating experience to go through... I already am excited for the next time:)

Léo is doing very well, since the very first day he sleeps well, eats like a king, and is slowly teaching us how to make him happy :)  He can't wait to meet you all.

Til next time, good night and be well.

V, A, and Léo :)