okay, she’s here.

and her name is Ada Corinna Swinton. At least is is now. It’s a working title. Naomi might have other ideas after a few days rest. Ada is healthy and well and is now asleep with her mother.To the many who have offered prayers and poems, warm wishes and words of support and encouragement we want to say thank you. Your presence has added another dimension to our many layered experience.

She was born at home. Ada looked to be arriving late on the evening of the 3rd of July, but not to be outdone by her brother, Broadus, who was born on Halloween, she held out for the 4th of July. Our Independence Day, for those not in the know. She was born at 12:46 a.m., weighing 8 lbs, 7 oz. She came out looking like a gnarled purple tree root from some fairytale forest, tree bark formed into a silent, eternal, impassive, awe inspiring face. She took her first breath, let out a mewling little cry and became a human being. Broadus, who had been in and out all night ran in at that moment and bonded with her instantly. She took to nursing right away. We were up at least until 3 a.m. Mother and daughter, son and father are all doing great.

I do want to put in a plug for midwives and home-births. We live near enough to a hospital if there was any dire need. But Naomi chose (it’s her body, so it’s her choice) home birth for a variety of reasons. Comfort and familiarity, surrounded by family and friends rather than well-meaning strangers. And safety. Of all the industrialized countries, the U.S. ranks third from the bottom in infant mortality. And then there is the ridiculous statistic that one third (or more) of hospital births are cesarean. A natural process is turned into a very expensive and potentially dangerous piece of major surgery, which further insures that all of the mother’s future births will also be major money makers as most hospitals and physicians will not allow normal vaginal births after cesareans. Our Northern New Mexican midwives are wonderfully gifted and experienced and able. We were assisted by Elizabeth Withnall and Connie Trujillo of the Las Vegas Midwifery Service, and NM Quickcare Women’s Health.

Okay, then, presenting…

again, thank you much.