I’m always looking for signs that homebirth, waterbirth, midwifery, etc. are being woven into the tapestry of life.  Mentions in sitcoms, controversial articles in widely read women’s magazines, overheard conversations on the bus—all these things are the trickle down effect of a lot of day to day effort of women who are passionate about making normal birth available to others. 

It’s interesting to note which “stars” of stage and screen choose homebirth.  You can’t pigeon-hole the “type” but they seem to be very health and fitness conscious.  Latest one that I’ve seen is Erykah Badhu.  Here’s the announcement press this a.m.

Date: Tue Feb 3, 2009 9:12 am (PST)
 

Erykah Badu welcomed her third child Sunday, her rep confirms to Usmagazine.com.
 

“Erykah gave birth to a baby girl at her home on February 1, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.,” the rep tells Us. “The baby’s father, [rapper] Jay Electronica, and her two children were in attendance.”
 

The Grammy-winning singer and Electronica sent Twitter messages throughout their daughter’s birth, MTV news reports.
 

“Morning, I’m in labor,” Badu announced to her 4,500 followers on Sunday.
 

The couple chose to deliver at her Brooklyn, New York home with the help of a midwife — who was apparently running late.
 

“Labor has begun,” Electronica wrote. “Everybody stand back. No hospitals. No doctors. No medicine. We’re waiting for the midwife to show.”
 

He also announced that Badu’s daughter Puma, 7, with rapper D.O.C., and Seven, 10, her son with Andre 3000 , were present, and that he was writing updates while rubbing his girlfriend’s feet.
 

Shortly after delivery, Electronica posted: “Feb. 1,  2009 my first child, my daughter born at 1:30 PM exactly.  It’s the happiest day of my life.”
 

Badu added: “I can’t believe it’s over.  Home birth, no painkillers, about five hours, she was a little past due date, but I didn’t mind waiting.  Breath.”  end of news item

So funny to see people “Twittering” during birth.  Congratulations to everyone involved.  Gloria