A Stunning Surprise: a Footling Breech Birth Story in images

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!

We're Throwing a Party! You're Invited to our New Product & Birth Equity Fund Launch Event

We are celebrating the launch of our new and improved Sprout & Blossom Botanicals products and our Birth Equity Fund!

Join us Saturday, December 10 from 4-6pm at The Arts Marketplace (at Studio Park, downtown Grand Rapids)

Love Letters for Labor

The following 9 love letters for labor are inspired by 9 main personality types as expressed through the Enneagram. Whether you know your Enneagram type or not, you are likely to resonate with one of the love letters below. With each love letter, we’ve included an affirmation and practical steps you can take to overcome any internal barriers that might be holding you back from embracing birth as the beautiful, natural process that it is.

The Benefits of Writing Your Birth Story + 5 Ways to Get Started

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.

Birth is Love: A Heartful Conversation

Emily's Homebirth Story

“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

The Value of Birth Photography | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer + Doula

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.

The Journey through the Impossible | A Story of Infertility, Miracles, and a Perfect Homebirth | Grand Rapids Birth Videographer

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!

Your Birth Team Matters | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer

Don’t get me wrong, I do think that the process of making a birth plan is valuable. But your birth team matters more.

Find a doula who you trust…and then trust her knowledge of local providers.

With a doula and a clinical provider that you are really confident will support you, you will be set up the best you can be for the unknowns of your individual birth experience. Your birth team matters more than your birth plan.

The Off-Call Life | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer

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!

The Third Stage of Labor | The Birth of the Placenta | Grand Rapids Doula and Birth Photographer

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.

A Quick Home Birth | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

Home birth is my favorite. The birth work niche that fits me best.

An utterly normal, yet truly transformative process. Enjoy these beautiful images.

The Value of Birth Photography | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

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.

Lily's Fresh 48 | Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer

Welcome home, little one. If you can't tell by these dreamy images, let me tell you: your mom, dad, and older furry siblings adore you.

Bethany's Birth Story | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

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.

Black Friday Deals with a Mission | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

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.

HBAC Water Birth Sneak Peak | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

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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