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.”)
Read More“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
Read MoreWhen you’re in the throes of pregnancy, it’s easy to overlook the importance of postpartum planning. We’ll walk you through some advance preparations that will lend to a smoother (and more enjoyable!) postpartum experience.
Read MoreAnnica 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.
Read MoreI’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.
Read MoreThis 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!
Read MoreDon’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.
Read MoreBeing 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!
Read MoreLet’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.
Read MoreAfter 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!
Read MoreThere is something incredibly beautiful to me about the deeply raw, emotional moments of the first few days of motherhood. Life is all snuggles, milk, and eyes welling up. It’s one of the most tender parts of this whole journey. Images of this transformative time are ones that you’ll look back on with reverence, pride, and if you’re like me, you’ll probably cry every time.
Read MoreHome birth is my favorite. The birth work niche that fits me best.
An utterly normal, yet truly transformative process. Enjoy these beautiful images.
Read MoreI am so excited to announce a new product line called Annica Marie Essentials!
Now available is a postpartum care package called The Care Bundle. This gift box is full of essential self-care items to get you or a mama you love through the first weeks with a new baby.
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