This labor was progressing beautifully when the mother announced she could suddenly feel something between her legs. Surprise! It was baby’s sweet little feet! No one was expecting baby to be born breech — but footling breech birth is indeed a variation of normal and can often be managed vaginally when given the opportunity. Here, the birthing person’s team supports her through this variation of normal with calm confidence. With shared wisdom from the midwife and internal wisdom from mama and baby, all unfolded beautifully. Enjoy this beautiful birth story in images!
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I knew Laila's arrival would be much more flexible than any given date, but I held onto her due date in an extra special kind of way throughout all of my pregnancy; November 15 was the date of my beloved Grandpa's passing, and I loved the thought of him ushering my baby from his realm to mine. But as the day went on, I really didn't think labor was going to set in on Laila's due date. I began thinking I should pick out a new "due date" to help get through the sludge of waiting (I waited 9 days past 40 weeks with Evie!)…
Read MoreI have been talked through transferring to the OR for cesarean. I have uttered those familiar words, "Whatever it takes to get my baby here safely" and meant them with every fiber of my being. I had a very long labor at home during what was a planned homebirth. After a few days of laboring with a stuck baby (her chin wouldn't tuck, and I was lingering at about 8/9cm dilated), I opted for an epidural at the hospital in order to get some rest. I knew that an epidural would likely mean Pitocin, and that I was risking a cascade of interventions. But I felt confident in my decision to transfer to the hospital and medically intervene. Little did I know, I would be talked through cesarean 3 times in the next 9 hours.
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My husband and I take a natural approach to most things in our life so before we became pregnant with Meadow, I started researching home birth. I watched videos and read books from women who did it and enjoyed it! I was determined to have a more empowered, autonomous birth and I knew this was more likely to be achieved in the home setting. My husband was hesitant at first only because it was something foreign to him, like it is to the majority of people. After meeting with the midwives and having all of his questions answered and praying on it, we both decided this was the best decision for our family.
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The thought of writing your birth story can be daunting. So I'm here to offer some strategies for getting started! Because truly, the benefits of writing your birth story make the dedicated time and energy entirely worthwhile.
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To say that I felt empowered from Harmony’s birth is an understatement. I was able to trust my body to do something that it had never done before. It was beautiful to see that my body already knew what my mind did not. It was my journey, and the journeys of so many others, that made me want to become a doula. To help give families an incredible story of how their family grew.
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It wasn’t until the afternoon of Monday, February 17 — 9 days after my “guess date” — that the strong, persistent contractions stuck around. It was the real deal this time! (My midwives knew what they were talking about when they revealed that most first-time birthers don’t go into labor naturally until closer to 10 days after their “due date.”)
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“It was so calming to be in my own home, and be surrounded by people with positive birth energy who believed in my ability to birth my baby myself.” - Emily
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Annica jokingly suggested that Hayley have her baby in the backyard when she arrived on a beautiful day for their homebirth. Hayley said, “sure” and the rest is history. Hayley tells the story of her second baby’s birth - a VBAC, at home, in water, en caul.
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I’m coming up on 3 years since photographing a birth for the first time and have been reflecting recently about the value of birth photography. It has been such a privilege to offer such a unique and important service to women in the Grand Rapids area, and I wanted to share a few reasons why I think birth photography is so valuable.
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This week is National Infertility Awareness Week, and today, I am absolutely thrilled to share this incredible story with you. If you are experiencing infertility, may this story give you faith in miracles, and hope in the impossible.
I have had the honor of walking alongside Ashley and her husband Dave as they welcomed not one, but TWO miracle babies into their lives after years of infertility and loss. Ashley wrote out their story, and you don’t want to miss it. She also gave me joyous permission to share the birth film I made for her of their recent homebirth. Make sure you grab tissues first!
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Being ON-call truly does change the rhythm of life for those of us who do birth work. It is part of the gig, but it is definitely one of the hardest parts. Here’s a snapshot of what OFF-call life looks like for me!
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Let’s talk about the third stage of labor - the birth of the placenta. Know what to expect during this process, and how to ensure you are set up for postpartum care for down there. The placenta is incredible.
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After months of waiting, the first signs of labor can bring on quite a rush of emotion.
Excitement, anticipation, worry, restlessness, relief.
With all of my doula clients, I offer suggestions for some ways to prepare for this stage of labor. And today, I’m sharing them with you, too!
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Home birth is my favorite. The birth work niche that fits me best.
An utterly normal, yet truly transformative process. Enjoy these beautiful images.
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Over a year ago, I photographed my first birth and have been reflecting and musing recently about the value of birth photography. It has been such a privilege to offer such a unique and important service to women in the Grand Rapids area, and I wanted to share a few reasons why I think birth photography is so valuable.
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Bethany's home birth was so special to witness and photograph. It was a healing birth experience for her, after having two cesarean births and a hospital VBAC. Bethany wrote her birth story, and shared it with me. Reading her story after seeing it all unfold before my eyes and through my lens was a privilege. I share it here now, with her permission, in hopes that it is also meaningful to you.
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Snag my last openings for winter births, milk baths, and in-home sessions with these Black Friday Deals! I only have a few spots remaining this winter and they are filling up quickly.
The best part of the deal? Not only are you saving money, but the amount you save will be donated to Shiphrah Birthing Home in the Philippines.
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Many more gorgeous images to come, but for now, here are a few photographs that capture the beauty and strength of this mom during active labor, transition, and immediately after giving birth to her 4th baby at home.
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