Have you seen this story? Apparently a hospital and its OB-GYN staff told a woman expecting what looked to be an extra-large, but otherwise healthy baby that she had to agree to a c-section. She declined, explaining that she had delivered her first six children -- several of whom weighed close to twelve pound -- vaginally and with no complications. When the hospital wouldn't back down, she sought out different health care providers. The hospital called authorities and sought to have her arrested. In the mantime, she delivered her 11 pound baby vaginally and with no complications at another hospital.

The article cites several other similar cases that I find absolutely chilling.

My baby. My body. My birth

That's the way it should be.

Congratulations to my friend Dawn Friedman and family on the arrival of their new daughter, Madison, after a very long wait with many twists and turns.

I just found out I've been admitted to the 2004 Bread Loaf Writers Conference. Having never taken a single writing class or workshop in my life, I'm really looking forward to it.