I had a very quick birth. My second baby was almost born on the interstate in the middle of the night. I was on the phone with my OB screaming that her head was almost out. As soon as I got into a room and managed to make a phone call to my birth photographer, she was out and screaming.…
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Born En Caul, Twins in NICU, Hugs, & a Happy Baby
In case you missed the Birth Without Fear Instagram this past week… And one of our favorites from last year by @kerfoxphotos. 💙 “One day he knelt to ask her to marry him, today he kneels to offer her support and strength when she needs it most. I distinctly remember the days of shooting weddings and how I loved witnessing…
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Overcoming Placenta Previa, NICU, & Hospital Policies to Birth a Beautiful, Healthy Baby Boy
I was 16 weeks pregnant when I thought I was miscarrying. It would be my second miscarriage. I was on a business trip in Minneapolis, 750 miles from my home in NE Ohio. Seven hundred fifty miles from my husband and family. As soon as my plane landed, I realized I was bleeding more heavily than the light spotting I…
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Starting Life as a Family of 3 in the Birth Center
Thursday September 22nd 2011 I was 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby, had finished my last day at work on the previous Sunday as a midwife and was looking forward to relaxing for the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy. Most things were ready for the baby’s arrival, but I still needed the car seat put into the…
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PPD, PTSD and Antenatal Depression: Nutrition and Research…What Helps?
Postpartum depression, antenatal depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder related to birth are multi-faceted, complicated illnesses that can be caused by a number of different things. While some experts propose that these things have physical causes, others report psychological factors as the main cause. And others, like myself (although I would not consider myself an expert), believe it could be a…
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I Am Wholly Here: The Healing Water Birth of Finn
There was a moment, just before Ellie reached a gloved hand inside of me, that I wondered if I was cheating. If my body was incapable of truly beginning labor on its own. 6 centimeters dilated, completely effaced, 42 weeks with him in my womb. I ached to feel the natural progression of things – the dance of intensifying rushes…
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Tree of Life, Vernix, and a Bubble of Support
In case you missed Birth Without Fear on Instagram this past week… Sweet squishy babe. ❤ Oh those lips and little fingers and vernix. The most amazing gift you’ll ever hold. 📷:@ashleymarstonphotography #skintoskin #justborn #birthwithoutfear #optionssupportrespect A post shared by birthwithoutfear (@birthwithoutfear) on Jun 12, 2017 at 9:08pm PDT Tree of Life. 🌳 The placenta is sacred in many cultures.…
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Barely at the Birth Center! A Fast & Easy Birth
The birth of my first child Adelyn Perry was one of the greatest life changing, and empowering experiences that I have been a part of. It has put me in a place of awe and trust in the way God has beautifully designed a woman’s body. Probably like most new moms I was fairly naive about what labor and birth…
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Educated & Empowered: A Home Water Birth
My birth story begins a few years before my son was even conceived! While my husband, Jeff, and I were dating we discussed children multiple times. We both knew that we wanted to have kids but I remember clearly telling him that I thought I wanted to adopt since my fear of childbirth was too big. My husband is adopted…