BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® was conceived and developed by Pam England, MA, CNM, a home birth midwife and mother who, inspired by her own birth experiences, developed this innovative, holistic approach to childbirth and postpartum preparation. When Pam became pregnant the first time (1982), she believed that her plan to birth at home was ensured because of her dedication to excellent prenatal nutrition, yoga, baking her own bread, wearing Birkenstock sandals, and putting her fingers in her ears when anyone spoke about cesarean sections. However, after a long labor at home, and after trying every possible alternative known to midwifery to shake her baby down and out, she was transferred to the hospital for the cesarean birth she most feared. While lying on the operating table and being draped for surgery, she mused over the irony that although she knew more about birth than any of the women in her family, living or dead, she was the first woman in her family to have a cesarean!