Patti,

I think that your birth story is amazing!  Every time we birth we know that there are things we might do differently.  The fact that you could birth so normally in the hospital, in a situation they consider distinctly abnormal was amazing.

Having said that, Todd is most likely right.  Having your sacrum immobile while birthing on your back did most likely narrow the outlet. Obviously you have a "very adequate pelvis!"  As for Angela's "injury" babies are incredibly healthy and strong and meant to manage the rigors of birth.

Angela was shocky because of the cold room, because of the pulling on her body and not left to hang long enough, because it was a rapid birth and she was surprised to be born, because she was one of those babies that take their time to breathe and they just need love and support from their mommies... the list goes on and on.  Who knows why she was a little slow to start?  There could be a million reasons.  And, I am glad that Todd is pointing out some of the possible ramifications of having a hospital birth when you have nervous/unskilled medical staff (isn't that almost always?)!

Your birth is a true testament for other women that they can have a  normal [vaginal] birth in the hospital with a variation of normal and that is  always good.  The fact that the doc was letting his fear encroach on your  own intuition is nothing new!  That happens every time a women goes to the  hospital to perform a normal function of her body!!!

As you may  know, [name withheld] had a baby boy at home last week, 9lbs 8oz  born bum first in the water.  It was helpful for me to go to your web site  and prep myself for what a breech birth would look like.  So thank-you for  all your hard work.  Without Angela's birth, all of your great info would  not be out there!!!

Love,

Nadine

(Nadine was the doula that attended my first homebirth. She now practices as a midwife in Calgary, Alberta.)