Mackynzie Renee Duggar was born October 8, 2009 at home.
Anna walked around during early labor to help the baby descend, and used the shower for massage. From what the viewers saw, it was a peaceful delivery. I was SO happy to see a gentle birth story instead of the typical screaming, knife wielding, drug pushing, masked situation you usually see on TV births.
HOWEVER, I must point out an inaccuracy that upset me. The Duggars said that they invited their childbirth instructor to attend as their doula at their birth. A doula is not qualified to deliver a baby and provides no medical care. A doula is trained to offer emotional, physical, and psychological support throughout labor and birth.
A Licensed Midwife (LM), or a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) provides prenatal care, delivery of the baby and postpartum care. The midwife is responsible for the safety of the mother and baby. They determine if the labor and birth is progressing well, or if there is a need for hospital transfer (in the case of a birth center or homebirth).
I'm hoping that this woman was trained as a midwife, but the narration just didn't mention it. Homebirth is safe only when a skilled and experienced primary care provider is in attendence.
