Chris T. Duffy, LM at 903 Forsythe Lane, Houston, Texas.

I was 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby when my OB/GYN began talking about scheduling me for induction. He told me that my baby was on track to be around 11 pounds and that she would get stuck in the birth canal, causing me to have a C-section. At exactly 37 weeks, my doctor scheduled me to be induced a few days later. I went home and because I had a gut feeling that I just wasn't ready to have the baby, I began to do some research about induction and cesarians. I was really disturbed by the statistics that I found and, long story short, I cancelled the induction. It wasn't long before my doctor's office was calling me to find out why. When I explained to the nurse that I didn't feel ready and that I'd like to discuss some of what I had read with my doctor, she told me that my doctor did not agree and that she would have him call me back. Not surprisingly, he never called.

My mom had met Chris through a friend and gave me her number. I called her and scheduled an appointment. I was 38 weeks pregnant when I met with Chris. Right away, I felt super comfortable with her and decided to go ahead with a home birth.

My due date was May 28th. I went in to labor at 4:30 am, June 1st. Chris and her apprentice, Ashley, came to my house later that day. I took a nap, went for short walks around the block, and finally got in to the birthing pool. As my contractions progressed, Baby Scarlett's heart rate soared. Chris had me move in to different positions to try to get it to come back down, but it stayed in the 180-190 range. Chris promptly recommended that we go to the hospital to have the baby's heart rate checked out.

We got to the hospital at around 9 pm and the two hours I was there were the most uncomfortable, dehumanizing hours of my life. It very nearly took an act of congress to get a pillow and a blanket. Once we were sure that Scarlett's heart rate was healthy, Chris began to remind me that if I wanted to have a home birth, I would in fact have to go home. I was finally able to get up and out of bed to get dressed and sign myself out of the hospital.

Pretty much as soon as I got back home around 11 pm, my water broke and I got back in to the birthing pool. I pushed for about 6 hours. Chris and Ashley were encouraging me to eat to keep my strength up and were using essential oils, herbs and breathing techniques to help guide me through the journey. At about 5 am the next day, the baby's heart rate fell very low in to the 30-40 range and Chris flat out told me that if I couldn't get the baby out, she would have to perform an episiotomy. Honestly, the thought terrified me and it honestly only took me 2 more pushes to get the baby out. (Chris has excellent motivational skills.) At 5:27 am, I delivered the most beautiful baby girl I could ever have dreamed of. And instead of being 11 pounds, she was 8 pounds and 10 ounces.

Afterwards, I held my baby without anyone trying to take her from me. When I was ready, my partner cut the cord and held his daughter while Chris helped me to deliver the placenta. Then I got out of the pool, dried off and got in to my own bed. Honestly, for my partner and I to get in to our bed with our baby was priceless. The three of us laid side by side while Chris stitched up the area where I had torn.

I have never felt so accomplished in my life and I owe that feeling to Chris. She didn't interfere. Instead she guided and empowered me to have the birth that I wanted. In the weeks following, she was available whenever I needed her and answered every question I had.

If you're considering a home birth, the best advice I can give is to do it, and use Chris as your midwife. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone with as beautiful and caring a soul as Chris.