Laila Ali plans a natural homebirth
Champion boxer Laila Ali, 30, has had a non-eventful pregnancy so far and has started making plans for the delivery of her baby boy — who will be named Curtis Muhammad — in three months. Choosing a road less taken by celebrities these days, Laila is anticipating a "natural homebirth with no medication" and has scheduled a midwife to be by her side.
As for the American Gladiator co-host, these last few months of relaxing have not been easy for her! Laila — who says she "feels great" — has had to make an effort to slow down her workouts and not over-exert herself, all under the watchful eye of her husband, Curtis Conway. Said Laila,
My husband has got on me a couple of times saying, ‘You’re not supposed to be doing that with those weights!’ I’m like, ‘Oh, OK.’
Laila admitted that she hasn’t totally given up working out and still does "an hour of cardio on the elliptical or spinning, but not such high impact." Making sure she sticks to pregnancy-friendly exercises and "nothing very strenuous," she also adds in "some Pilates and light weight training."
As for the proud grandpa-to-be, boxer Muhammed Ali, Laila says he "of course" can’t wait to welcome his first grandchild. However, the reality will probably kick in once baby Curtis has made his appearance.
I think he’ll be more excited once the baby is actually here.
Source: Us Magazine; Photo by Apega/ABACAUSA.com
Thanks to CBB reader Kate.
- Posted on Jun 10, 08 at 1:00PM
- Permalink
- 16 Comments
June 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I wish her the best of luck. Plus I hope that she can make it through her birth plan, she’s a very strong woman and hopefully she can handle the pain. She’s going to have a handsome baby boy.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
My friend had a homebirth (she hates doctors and hospitals) and she had a great experience !! Fortunately everything went well and she made through with her doula.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Tell her that no trophy or gold medal is given out for having a non epidural delivery. Yes, the baby is the reward, but the pain is so immense that being hysterical and screaming like a jungle animal is not beneficial to the mother or baby. What is proven???????????????????
June 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Horray for Laila for choosing a homebirth… hopefully in the near future more people will see it for what it is: a safe and confortable choice. I’ll be rooting for her!
June 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I think this is awesome! My homebirth with my daughter was the most amazing experience ever, and I regret we didn’t have the same experience with our son. Our births from now on will definitely be at home!
It’s so nice to see someone in the spotlight choosing a homebirth, and I wish her all the best!
June 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
So freaking excited for her! I’m doing a homebirth any day now, and I’m so happy to hear she’s planning one as well. It’s a great thing to do for herself and her baby!
June 10th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Good for her for having a homebirth! I’m sure everything will go wonderfully. I am having an HBAC in late Nov/early Dec and am looking forward to the experience as well.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:04 am
I live in Holland and homebirth is more common here than having your baby in hospital. I have experienced it myself 3 months ago and it was wonderful! It was just me, my husband, the midwive and her assistant. I gave birth in my own bed and after I just got up, had a nices shower in my own bathroom and went back to my bed and I lay there between my new, clean sheets with my husband and baby. The midwive and her assistant made tea for us and the four of us toasted the birth of my daughter. I hope Laila has the same wonderful experience; cause at that moment I have never felt happier.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:05 am
It’s great she is having a homebirth, but too bad she decided to get an ultrasound. Was there a medical reason? The jury is still out on the safety of ultrasounding of babies, so women need to think about that kind of intervention as well.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am
How exciting! I had a home waterbirth as well and it was such a great experience!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
How wonderful! I had an hbac last Sept and it was the biggest rush of my life!
June 24th, 2008 at 4:11 am
i had a pacemaker put in while i was pregnant with my first child and went on to have 2 successful wonderful homebirths….im very distrustful of the obstetrics in this country ..congrats to laila for having confidence in her body…. congrats to all you women who have trusted your body enough to do what it was made for….
June 29th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I like the idea of homebirths but I was never able to since I was a high risk pregnancy (ITP). I am glad that I had such wonderful nurses and doctors. I had no drugs or anything, but I had to have an ultrasound ever few weeks to make sure there were no complications with the baby. I wish her all the best.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Good Luck to her!!!
I’m happy and I think it’s awesome that she’s having a homebirth!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I AM GLAD SHE HAVE DECIDED TO SETTLE DOWN FROM WORKING SO MUCH, AND HAVE A BABY. I HAVE FIVE AND ITS A WONDERFUL FEELING PLUS I HAD MIDWIVES WITH THE LAST FOUR OF MY KIDS. WOULD CHANGE THE WAY THEIR BEDSIDE MATTER ARE FOR NOTHING IN THE WORLD.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
She is a cute preggo lady!! I am so happy for her that she’s choosing to have a homebirth. Out of complete ignorance, I missed that opportunity my first time around…but have had two really awesome homebirths since then. We are expecting again and are looking forward to also homebirthing this baby, too!