was, born at 8.10 am. Jack was placed straight onto my belly and bought to the breast for his first suckle within minutes of being born, during which time his father cut the cord. My placenta was induced as per the usual hospital policy, (with some amount of retained membrane), and I was quickly stitched up by the doctor soon after Jack's first feed.
     Apart from the wonderful feeling of seeing the new baby, I was elated to have given birth naturally and fully consciously. It was a dream come true. I was just so grateful to my understanding and supportive midwife and the (relatively) non-interventionist female doctor. I was on a complete high for days.

   

  
   Looking back on Jack's birth, I see now many factors which contributed to its good and not-so-good outcomes.
   Attitude - Had I not resolved to change my state of mind after Angela's birth and spent the intervening time doing things to improve my health and mindset, I firmly believe I could have created much the same experience the second time. As well as removing my ignorance of self and birthing, I needed to forgive myself for my previous ignorance, otherwise anger and guilt would have risen during the second birth. There was also the need to forgive "the system", otherwise this birth would have been tinged with suspicion and resentment towards those who were trying to help me.
   Support - Had I listened to doctors rather than midwives in my clinic visits, I would have had a less positive, less empowered attitude towards the birth and may have ended up staying a high risk case, inviting all the complications which come with that branding, including maybe an obstetrician. Had I not had such a supportive midwife and partner on the day, I might have fallen into reliance on drugs and procedures I did not really need.
   Birth Plan - Had I not made a firm resolution to give birth as naturally as possible, and conveyed that to the midwife, and had she not subsequently encouraged me to keep going just that little bit more according to those ideals, I may have resorted to an epidural and all the complications which follow. Birth Plans did not exist in those days, but my "Mind Plan" was the best thing I could have gone in with.
   Active Birthing - Had the midwife or I been a little more educated in ways of turning a baby we might have expedited the earlier stages of the labour. Had either of us perceived that my breathing was getting tense during transition and known better ways of breathing to conserve

energy and not hyperventilate, the unpleasant experience of needing the gas would have been avoided. Had it not been necessary to get up on the high bed, I could have birthed a lot more easily by adopting a range of postures on the floor. Had I not been encouraged to wilfully "push" all through second stage by the 3 forces of medical convention (doctor, midwife and ante-natal classes), my perineum would have been allowed more time to stretch. As well, had the midwife known to give some perineal massage with oil at the time of crowning, this could possibly have averted such pressure on the old episiotomy scar thereby avoiding the need for another one.
   A final episode: Later on that morning, whilst going down to the post-natal ward with my baby in my arms, who should get in the lift but the young male doctor from the clinic the day before. At first he looked surprised to see me and then, upon seeing my baby, noticeably embarrassed. I just smiled directly at him and thought to myself - "See, I was right". This little incident served to confirm again - and beautifully cap off the last 24 hours' lessons - the importance of listening to one's birthing intuition, trusting in one's body knowledge, and how, given the right kind of support and encouragement, we can all go further than we often think we can.

	~ Importance of a Birth Plan ~

   As an aspiring natural birther, you will need to be aware of all the issues which can help you towards that end, as well as those which might inhibit it. It is always important not to make any assumptions about what might unfold during childbirth, and this is where a Birth Plan comes into play. In essence, a Birth Plan serves several purposes. Firstly, writing down your wishes is a powerful way of clarifying