My name is Amber Bowen, I am the pround parent of a 6 month old girl named Layla Kaye. I was 20 when I found out I was pregnant. To say the least, I wasn't educated at all about child birth. I saw an OBGYN for the first few months of my pregancy. When I would ask my doctor questions about te... MORE

My name is Amber Bowen, I am the pround parent of a 6 month old girl named Layla Kaye. I was 20 when I found out I was pregnant. To say the least, I wasn't educated at all about child birth. I saw an OBGYN for the first few months of my pregancy. When I would ask my doctor questions about te labor & delivery, I was given very short, non informative answers. In my mind I knew I wanted to deliver my child naturally, but from how the doctors talked that was taboo! I soon grew tired of this & began my search for my perfect birthing experience. My mother-in-law was friends with a midwife & recommended that I see her & have a tour of the birthing center. I was skeptical at first because it wasn't a hospital, & what if something did go wrong, but I figured no harm in looking. As soon as I walked into the birthing center, I felt welcome, not just another patient. The midwife showed my husband & me around the center, & i was very impressed. The rooms were nice & cozy! BIG, COMFORTABLE beds with soft white linen. Huge tubs for water births. The midwife examined me & answered all of my questions, to my satisfaction. I then knew this is where I would deliver my baby. My husband & I also attended natural childbirth classes at the center, that prepared us for everything! My birth experince was special, Very special! Layla Kaye was born August 29, 2006, at our home in Greenwood, SC. My husband caught her as she came into this world & he cut the cord. It was just my husband & me in the room the entire time, because you see Layla came very quick. We didn't have time to get to the birthing center, but our midwife was on the phone with him giving him step by step directions. I was only in labor for 4 hours, & I didn't even know it! I knew it when I felt her head. I pushed only twice to bring her into this world. God knew that I wanted that special bond for my baby & me , & for my husband. God planned it just right!