If there's one thing I've learned about life this far, it's that you never know where you will go on your journey but there's always a reason you end up where you are. That's pretty much how I came to be the owner of GentleMoon. Looking back years ago, I would never have thought that I would be owning and enjoying such a business. In fact, I had no idea that I would become a mother.

It took me nine years to conceive my son. For three long years I allowed my body to be assulted by every scientific intervention know to man, all to no avail. I believe sometimes science just gets ahead of itself and needs to take a step back. I did get pregnant (three times, in fact) without the aid of any fertility drugs or interventions. I miscarried the first baby at 11 weeks. Three years later I conceived again! I spent one month of my first trimester in bed to prevent a threatened miscarriage but after that I had a wonderful natural pregnancy.

After all I had been through to conceive, I was determined to have a natural birth. I really, really wanted a homebirth. Unfortunately, DEMs are illegal in Georgia and the CNMs here don't do homebirths. My husband and I opted to deliver at a free-standing birth center about 1 hour away. Being a massage therapist, I took a holistic approach to pregnancy. I had very little support but I still felt confident in my decision. I researched and read everything I could about natural pregnancy, breastfeeding and attachment parenting. It all confirmed what I knew instinctively to be true.

On December 20th, 1999, I gave birth to the most incredible, 8 lb. 9 1/2oz, little boy! Completely drug free and in the water (fulfilling my dream since childhood). Wow! what an empowering moment. At that point, I realized I had just transitioned into two things; mother and the elite sisterhood who trust their bodies to birth naturally.

Priorities changed. I gave up my massage practice. I just couldn't stand being away from my little miracle. I worked from home, limiting my clients to close friends who didn't mind a baby tagging along for their session. I took classes to become certified in Prenatal Massage and Infant Massage. I also became a Doula. It was easy to transition into more of a pregnancy, labor and child centered therapist since I already had a strong background.

As fate would have it, the stars aligned once more. One day in my inbox appeared a message, forwarded from another list, stating that GentleMoon was "For Sale". I didn't take much notice at first. I jokingly mentioned it to my husband. He instantly loved the idea and encouraged me to purchase the business. The rest as they say, is history. I couldn't think of anything more rewarding than helping women on their journey through birth and parenthood.

In 2003 I became pregnant with my second child. I used the fertility herbs and tinctures and conceived after only 6 months of trying. I had an unassisted pregnancy. I did all the testing myself. I listened to my baby's heartbeat, I tested my own urine and I measured my own fundus. I trusted my intuition and saw no need for a Dr. or midwife. This was a great opportuntiy to use all of GentleMoon's products on myself. I even added some new ones. On December 18th, 2003, I gave birth at home (assisted only by my husband) to a perfect 9 pound 3 ounce baby boy.

In June 0f 2007, I gave birth to a 8 pound 9 and 1/2 ounce baby girl. This was my second unassisted pregnancy and birth. She came out like a rocket in to the loving arms of her father and older brothers.

I don't know if I'll ever have another baby but somehow that doesn't matter. I've had two incredible birth experiences. Now I can sit back and watch my children grow up with our dogs, llamas, alpacas, sheep, and horse on our rescue ranch in Washington.

Living on a ranch near the Puget Sound lends itself to a world of discovery and learning. We've become radical unschoolers and organic farmers. Some days we practice the lost of arts of dreaming and imagination. Other days are spent hand processing, spinning and knitting or felting the wool from our animals. Combine that with a love for reading, then parenting becomes a very rewarding experience.

I wish you all joy and triumph in your pregnancy, birth and parenting journeys.

Warmly,
Wendy