Pulling up a chair from the end of the table, I moved it next to her. I wanted to stay close because I knew how big this was for the three of us, and what might be happening over the next three or four days was going to have a profound impact on our lives.

Sitting down at the table, Maggie said, “I feel totally alone in this home birth with you, Jim. I know this was more my idea than yours, and I really appreciate all that you have done to support this, but here we are on the verge of a surgery and I just know you’re feeling relieved, which really hurts. And I’m so upset and scared right now. I need you to get behind this home birth, Jim. I know it looks bad right now, but I’m not giving up!”

Maggie just sat there looking at me and I knew she was waiting for an answer, but all I could think of was that she was right. I never really felt comfortable with this home birth thing, but between Maggie and Mama Vermillion I got caught up in it.