Being that this was my first baby, I called my midwife to ask what I should do. She recommended I go to the hospital, because I was no longer eligible for a birth center birth like I had planned.

Disappointed, but also anxious about the situation, my husband and I drove to the hospital. During the drive I wondered if I could actually achieve a low-intervention, no pain medication birth like I had planned.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long before I was pressured into taking treatments I was wary of. I consented to them though because I assumed the hospital staff had my best interest in mind. 

The cascade of interventions began. I was being induced. First I was given inject-able antibiotics. Next, I was hooked up to pitocin to artificially make my uterus contract. I could labor in the tub, but not birth in it. I was able, however, to avoid an epidural, even though I was repeatedly told that I would be begging for one. 

The interventions continued after our daughter was born too! Repeated heel pricks to check for blood sugar. Unending tests because she was considered premature. We agreed to all of the testing because it seemed so harmless, and the hospital knows what's best, right?

One thing we knew for certain was that we didn't want any injections for our new baby. We were just beginning our holistic journey but had done enough research on this particular topic to take a strong stand against it. Doctors and nurses tried over and over to convince us that in order to be "responsible parents", we needed to allow them to poke our new baby.

We had to stay at the hospital for days. We wanted to go home, but they wouldn't let us. There was always another test to wait for. Our daughter wasn't even in the NICU, despite being born early!

The last test they wanted to run was a car seat test. As the nurses wheeled our daughter's bassinet out of our hospital room, my husband followed them. They told him that he wasn't allowed to come and that the test wouldn't take very long. I told him not to let our baby out of his sight, so he followed them down the hall.

My husband returned to the room about 30 minutes later--without our little girl. The entire time he was in the testing room the nurses were telling him that he wasn't allowed to be in that part of the hospital, escalating the situation every time my husband had a response. Not wanting to get thrown out of the hospital, and since our baby seemed ok sleeping in her car seat, he agreed to leave. The nurses assured him that they would bring her right back when it was over.

Sure enough, our little girl was brought back to our room and a few hours later we were finally able to go home. Everything seemed fine. We began to adjust to our new roles in life as Mom and Dad.

A few weeks later we received a hospital bill in the mail. On it was a charge for a vaccine. A vaccine that we specifically said no to. A vaccine the hospital staff kept pushing on us, but we didn't want. I was able to view our daughters record and it also said she had received that same vaccine.

The only time our precious baby was out of our sight was during the car seat test.

My life changed when my daughter was born.

No, not in the cliche sort of way.

Her birth story changed how I view the medical system.

I no longer blindly accept that the procedures and drugs they want to prescribe is what is best for me and my family. I have taken control of what treatments my family receives and I have learned to give them the best care I can.

My journey into natural treatments began the day I got that letter. I've come a long way now too, having had one midwife birth and one freebirth. Yet, I'm always learning and expanding my capabilities.

Maybe you're like me. Maybe you want to have the tools to take control over your situation. If so, you're in the right place.

Midnight Light is a light in the darkness. We'll teach you how to confidently use natural home treatments such as hydrotherapy, herbs, and activated charcoal—simple remedies given by God so you can take back control over you and your family's health.

You are capable. Don't believe the lie that you are not.