I also wanted to know if any of you had some ideas of what to put on my rally sign? I’m so excited to be one of those women, barefoot and pregnant no less, marching with a big sign slumped over one shoulder.

So, any ideas?

There will be a rally at the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary on May 5 from noon until 1:00. Anyone who may be in the Calgary area, or who would want to take grass roots to a traditional level and walk barefoot for miles to get there, please lend your support and come with signs, noise makers and lawn chairs.

I’ll be showing pictures of the event afterward so that anyone that can’t make it can atleast see what we did that day and hopefully it will spur the Alberta government to fund midwifery and open up the flood gates to women who have been waiting years to have the birth they want.

She gave me a list of supplies and optional items to have on top of everything she brings and I wasn’t really shocked by anything except when it said to prepare a bucket for the placenta.

What!

You mean there’s going to be a placenta in my home?!?

Maybe I haven’t realized the magnitude that will be this labor experience. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be having this little girl at home. I feel more comfortable and at peace during this pregnancy without all the fear and anxiety about getting to the hospital on time or having someone be available to watch the kids on a seconds notice. I’m not worrying about anything, except having a placenta bucket.

What do you use for a placenta bucket?

Do I wash it first?

Does it have to be sterilized?

Should I dazzle it up with jewels and paintings of native women frolicking in the mountains?

Now I’m a huge advocate for natural childbirth, I just forgot how natural this time was going to be and I was a bit shocked. I searched through my house and found a factory ice cream bucket, cleaned it out and put it into my birthing box.

I am now prepared. For the placenta anyway.

Here’s some things that I am looking forward to during my first home birth.

Birthing music. Now that I have the option I want music playing. Any suggestions?

Beautiful flowers in brights colors.

Lots of sunlight, hopefully. I’ve usually gone into labor at night so this is not my choice.

Not being moved, poked, probed, bothered or asked to lift my leg so they can check my pad. I hated that!

The kids have the option of being in the room if they want but regardless they are in their own space, comfortable and safe.

My mom will be there. It’s taken me four times but I think this will be the time that I have my mom here when I have a baby and I feel so happy about that. I can relax and enjoy her company and know that she’s there when I need the help.

I’m looking forward to having time to experience the laboring part. I’ve been so fast that during labor I’m in transport or thinking about transporting to the hospital. This time I can let Chuck pay attention to the timing and I can just breath and stay put.

Man, I could talk about labor and birthing all day, which doesn’t explain why I was so freaked out by a placenta bucket, does it?