Two couple in the Louisville, KY area in 1978 decided to have the birth of their babies at home. The home birth movement at the time prompted them to prepare diligently. Their outcome were completely different. One couple, the Polks, had major difficulties in labor and were forced to go to the hospital to save the birth. Nine days afterwards the couple took their child, Charlie, home against medical advice. The second couple, the Singlers, had a successful birth of a daughter with the assistance of a doula.