Gisele Bundchen, her baby, and a bathtub
Despite what you may have read, Gisele Bundchen did not give birth at Brigham and Women's Hospital -- or Mass. General, Beth Israel, or Boston Medical Center, for that matter. The supermodel spouse of Pats QB Tom Brady had her baby at the couple's Beacon Street townhouse. But that's not all. In an interview with a popular Brazilian TV show, Bundchen has confirmed something we'd heard: She delivered little Benjamin in the bathtub. (The interview with "Fantastico," the Brazilian equivalent of "60 Minutes," airs this weekend.) Home births are hardly the norm in Brazil, which has one of the highest rates of caesarean sections in the world. So what's with Bundchen? We're told Gi was profoundly influenced by director Abby Epstein's 2008 documentary, "The Business of Being Born," which makes a compelling argument for natural childbirth. The movie, executive produced by Ricki Lake, looks at the history of obstetrics, midwives, and how modern medical practices may do pregnant moms more harm than good. One of the people quoted in the film is Ana Paula Markel, a friend of Bundchen's who works as a doula, or childbirth assistant, in LA. "It's so great to hear that (Gisele) had a positive homebirth experience," Lake told us yesterday. "Not only because it was at home and in water, but because it says a lot to girls who follow her." They might also be interested in what else we heard -- that Gisele may have used self-hypnosis relaxation and breathing techniques to aid her delivery. Whatever she did, it worked. Word is, the supermodel was in labor for only about eight hours before the bundle of joy arrived. Other celebs who've had their babies at home include actress Alyson Hannigan, model Cindy Crawford, singer Erykah Badu, actress Maria Bello, and Bundchen's BFF Michelle Alves, a Brazilian model and the wife of Madonna's manager Guy Oseary.
About this blog
Mark Shanahan joined The Boston Globe in
2003, having worked previously at the Portland Press Herald, where he
covered City Hall, and the Lewiston Sun-Journal, where he was the
education reporter. A Northampton native and graduate of Bates College,
Shanahan enjoys the usual - books, music, movies, etc. - as well as the
unusual. shanahan@globe.com
Follow on Twitter: @GlobeNames, @MarkAShanahan
Meredith Goldstein has worked for the Globe since 2003, covering
everything from nightlife to New Kids. She keeps her eyes peeled for
celebrity juice, and also writes Love Letters, a Boston.com blog for
hopeful (and hopeless) romantics. Meredith chats about love problems
every Wednesday at 1 p.m. If you see Justin Timberlake or someone like
him at a local eatery, please e-mail her immediately. mgoldstein@globe.com
Follow on Twitter: @GlobeNames, @MeredithGoldste
- Steve Greenlee is living editor for The Boston Globe
- Hayley Kaufman is a senior assistant living arts editor
- Additional contributors include the Boston.com sports and A&E staff







