She was warmed under a towel by her skin touching mine, and comforted by a warm breast and her mother's milk. Angelica was not exposed to the germ-filled atmosphere of a hospital. In fact, the first other place she rested outside of my arms was on her Father's chest, instead of in an isolette or carseat. The absence of intervention in my daughter's birth was fully intentional. I believe in birth, and I trust life.
Healthy babies come out when they are ready.
I know that babies are meant to be born without anyone putting their hands inside their mothers. Monitoring heart-rates, obsessing over dates, poking with needles, etc. Good genes, adequate maternal nutrition, high quality prenatal care, and education do that. In truth, most interventions cause stress, inhibit nature, and dangerously increase the need for more interventions. Even the relatively interference-free care given by most midwives often crosses nature's boundaries.