I think my favorite birth story is that of my 3rd baby, my daughter Averie.  I had 2 boys and was due to have another one on Mother's day 2001.  I was of course huge, hot and miserable and ready to pop!  We took a family boat cruise that Sunday to celebrate mother's day (many people thought I was crazy to go on an afternoon boat cruise when I could go into laber at any time) and then fortunately the next morning my doctor started the induction process.  Bless her heart she came in that morning with her own son in a front pack because she knew how ready I was to have this baby!  The gel started my labor slowly, and the room was full of my family.  I was pretty relaxed and comfortable as I knew some of what to expect in labor and had developed a birthing plan I was pleased with.  (This was the first time I opted for an epideral.)  Labor progressed as I visited with family, took a relaxing bath and sat on the birthing ball which I had never done before.  Needless to say I passed the point of being able to get an epideral without needing it at all!  The labor was very painful for the last 15 minutes or so and then I pushed quickly and my beautiful baby girl was born at 5:30 p.m.  I think the labor went the best for me because I was not as anxious and knew what to expect, I had my support system there, a doctor that knew me and the birthing ball and bath that kept me as relaxed as I could be.  I said a few times that I could have many more babies if all my labors went this easy!

I enjoyed reading about labors and deliveries in Australia.  Most often families are encouraged to stay home and labor as long as they are able to, and then come in for just the last part before the delivery.  In each story that I read on http://www.birthcenter.com/ the woman mentioned the importance of the midwife or midwives present at the birth.  The doctor and nurse were still attending but midwives were there to support the women in labor.  The significant difference I think was the sense of calm that I felt when reading the stories; I felt such a support system with each woman and her midwife that I think not everyone here experiences.  I was lucky enough to have that support system in my family there but I think felt less support by hospital staff and definitely did not feel like the staff was there to support my experience but was there for the baby.

My birthing experience connects to the family support I have in my life and in my children's lives that definitely have a positive impact on my children and me.  I feel incredible support from those around me and have a network of loved ones that surround my children and are involved in their upbringing and effect their growth in development.  I also think the way in which the children in Australia were brought into this world, in a calm and supportive environment will help them not start their life with risk factors

The items included in the NAEYC and DEC Codes of Conduct that spoke most to me were:

1. The value to base our work on knowledge of how chldren develop and learn, continually reflecting and assessing teaching techniques
2.  The value to appreciate and support the bond between the child and family
3. Respecting the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual- working to build individual relationships with each child
4.  The importance of using assessment information to understand and support children's development and learning to support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional services.
5.  The importance Caring and educating children in positive emotional and social environments that are cognitively stimulating and that support each child.
6.  The importance of referring families to community resources and support services.
7.  The importance of collaboration among professionals
 The one I would like tocontinue to  work on the most is serving as advocates for children and serving as a leader/mentor in the early childhood field