homebirth

before jared and i came to costa rica, we talked about having a baby there so we would be able to get residency.  nonchalantly, we discussed that it would be good timing to have it after we had been there a year.  well, here we are.  we are one month short of a year, and our baby is due in october....october 12th.  

i have not had that much experience with babies.  i didnt grow up around babies or babysit.  i havent known many pregnant women or been around women talking about their birthing experience...so before a few months ago, this was all new to me.  thankfully, i now have a little experience with babies (a baby) since our good friends have a one year old.  before then, i cant really remember holding a baby for a long period of time or developing a relationship with one.  

with no knowledge of labors besides what i saw on TV, i always was interested in homebirths for some reason.  when i got pregnant, jared being who he is, tried to talk me into having the baby in our apartment...unassisted.  there have been births like this on the cantrell side, so he felt/feels confident he could do it.  i believe he can too...but, without experience on my part, i would like to have an assisted birth.  

after some research online, calls, and visits, we chose to go with a couple midwives who work together as a team.  they are americans and have lots of experience in the states and costa rica.  they live in san jose, which poses a slight problem since we live about 3 1/2 hours away.  for the birth, we need to be in san jose.  therefore, with a history of quick labors in my family, i will go to a house we rented outside of san jose a couple weeks before my due date.  during that time, i will meet with the midwives and relax....try to prepare for the new addition (Lord willing) to our family.  

yesterday, we drove to Finca Saramandaia where we are going to have the baby.  we went to meet the owners and check out the house we will be staying in.  it reminds me of our friends property in dominical.  very peaceful, very beautiful with a mountain view from the porch.  nice and quaint house with kitchen, dishes, and all the supplies we would need.  we put a deposit down, which feels good.  things are coming together.  

sharon, one of the owners, is a retired midwife, and she has a good relationship with my midwife, marie which is also comforting.  she said she would trust marie with her life.  there have been many babies born on the farm....and only girls! the 2 boys that were born there were transfered to hospitals.  there is a private hospital 15 minutes away from the farm.  i also found out sharon and her husband have a house in seattle, and knows of bainbridge island, which is where i went to grad school and jared and i were married.  pretty cool.  

another comforting piece of information she gave us was that with a baby, it is very easy to get residency.  she said all we need to do is get the baby's birth certificate and fill out the residency paperwork.  other than that...that's it.  once we are in process for residency, we don't have to leave every 3 months, which would be awesome.  we like leaving, but it is a hassle and expensive.  

everything is going well with the pregnancy.  right now, i am 29 weeks along and in my 3rd trimester...almost 7 months.  time is flying by!!  

we appreciate your prayers about this continual process and experience.  thank you.