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as swimmers dare to lie face to the sky and water bears them, as hawks rest upon air and air sustains them, so i would learn to attain freefall and float into creator spirits deep embrace knowing no effort earns that all surrounding grace.Hi loved ones,Finnally i get to a "something" (this computer) to contact people and let you know a little bit about what has been happening with the birth of our son. He was born on the 21/7/2008 at lismore base hospital at 9:11pm, monday night. We have named him "Jalahyn Jalaki" (for now, if we don't change our minds again) which means "rainbow bird" in Bundjulung (an aboriginal tribe). This name extends from the land, on which josie and i fell in love only 11 months ago. It has been a big 11 months..Jalahyn was born 3 weeks premature, as josie developed a rare (1 in a thousand) pregnancy disorder called pre eclampsia. She was diagnosed with this 5 days before "Jala" was born. The diagnosis informed josie that her condition was only curable by having the baby, which would inturn stabalise her hormones, and help her body recover back to normal state. She was suffering from high blood pressure, high levels of uric acid in her blood (which meant her kidneys and liver were malfunctioning), and low platlets in her blood (which meant her liver was failing). The platlet level was of most concern as they are required for the clotting of blood which is very important in child birth. Potential josie was in a high risk category, with the risk of fits, stroke, hemorage or the baby losing contact with the placenta.Following this diagnosis by the doctor on wednesday 16/7/08 he suggested that we head to the hospital.We arrived at the Tweed hospital on thursday morning and josie was admitted. The doctors were friendly but brief. By that afternoon the doctor on duty decided that the best thing would be to induce josie into labour that afternoon. Our dissapointment, fear and saddness was beggining to overwhelm us at this point, in a state of shock after only recieving the diagnosis 12 hours prior. We later found that our local gp who we had been seing thru the pregnancy had not been very effecient at picking up the symptoms of this illness and had only really seen it at the last minute.After long talks with doctors, nurse's and midwifes josie decided to hold off on the doctors orders (feeling he was being pushy) and stay in hospital under observation while she slept the night to think things over. A good night of rest and the next morning josie's blood pressure and blood test results had stabilized and the doctors were talking of waiting untill monday to begin the induction. It seemed that the doctor had wanted to begin the induction on thursday afternoon so that the process would be complete before the weekend. We started to become suspicious of the hospital, and began doing some research calling experienced midwifes from the area. We discovered that the tweed hospital had a higher cisarean rate than other hospitals, it was smaller and it serviced a wide area, which meant it aimed for patients to be in and out as efficiently as possible. This was evident when josie was placed in a ward with someone sick with phemonia. The hospital was full, there wasn't much room, josie's mum wasn't allowed to be at the birth with josie, and it just didn't feel right. Against the doctor's wishes, we checked ourselves out of the tweed hospital to head back home to begin a natural labour induction process with the guidance of some of the most experienced midwives in the area. We made contact with a midwife who had experienced a similar case before, and she warned us that if the doctors and hospital attempted to induce josie into labour (thru the use of synthetic hormones) before her body and mind had prepared at all, there is a good chance that she would end up with a ceserean. So we headed home to do as much preperation as we possibly could for josie's labour to flow. We used many natural methods such as inserting evening primrose oil into josie's cervix to soften it and get it in position for labour (evening primrose oil contains prostoglandans, the same hormones released by the body to prepare the body for labour), multiple cervical massages were conducted and a cervical sweep of the membrains which were attaching josie's cervix to the sack, josie took powerfull herbs to help contraction, an acupuncturist was called in to open her birthing channels and let her body know it was time to have the baby even tho she was 3 weeks early. We worked hard sat sat night and sunday, and josie was 4 cm dilated thru our natural methods.Given our success, josie was happy and ready to head back to a hospital to begin the medical style induction process. We made some calls and were informed that the lismore hospital was much better and more relaxed, less conservative. This was evident upon our arrival, as all staff were so understanding and helpfull. We were given a big beautiful birthing room with a lovely picture of 2 humback whales swimming beside each other (a mum and a calf). They even let Josie's mum (karren), josie's midwife (ella) and myself (russell) sleep in the room with her on mattress on the floor. They were amazingly supportive, and we instantly felt releaved after our tweed heads hospital nightmare.Josie rested the night and the next day A cervodil jel was used to help soften her cervix some more, and then her waters were broken monday afternoon. The syntocin (artificial hormone) was hooked up to josie thru the drip and shortly after josie went into an intense labour. Due to josie's delicate state of health, a short fast labour was most likely to be successfull, this unfortunately meant that the labour was going to be very painfull with not much time to rest.Josie stood up strong, and she made it thru. I have never ever seen such a heroic display of strength ever in my whole life, and i wouldn't be suprised if i never do. With her fatigued state of health, her high blood pressure, her lack of sleep, still she pushed thru a labour which was double in speed and intensity due to the artifical hormone induction. She dealt with enourmous amounts of pain and took no pain killers for the sake of her babies health and well being. As a man it was a grand initiation into the power of mothers love. she showed enourmous compassion , to go thru what she did and still be filled with love and understanding.for the last 2 hours of her labour josie needed no artificial help. her body had established labour naturally and things began to ease as her body found a natural rythem of its own. Due to Josie's strength, determination and courage, Josie had a beautiful birth. She has inspired me beyond words.For a week after the birth we stayed in hospital under observation for josie's condition. Now today our 4th day back at home, we are gratefull for everyone's help and support, and are glad to be here hanging out and getting to know our new little man Jalahyn..Attached are some photos of this cutie.I love you all very much,hope to see you soon,hugs and love,Peace be with you,love, Russps....well said my love...i would like to add ....the birth would not have been as smooth and beautiful had Russel not been so committed to it being so....his strength and vision for me when i was so lost in the fog of all this was huge....his devotion was a guiding light and although i know many that were involved see it differently...and i too had doubts at times..it's hard to go against your fears and glide on the vision of love when all about looks so bleak....and when the risks are real and dire...however through is incredible strength and passionate deep heart...i now have a renewed faith in his wisdom and his deep love for me...i truely honour him through this whole journey.....bless ...josie xxxx