I had begun having Braxton Hicks contractions at regular intervals starting at 36 weeks. Every day I would contract at 5 minutes apart and end the day at 3 minutes apart. So on May 4th, 2017, which happened to be my due date, I didn’t think too much of my contractions, which now felt stronger. After picking up my daughter…
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Labor in the Shower, Babywearing, & Anxiety is a Liar
In case you missed our Instagram this past week… Oh my goodness, this moment is everything! Mama emotions, her baby on his way to her chest, her best friend (behind) and her husband (to the right) celebrating. Wow. ❤ Incredible moment captured by @zuralagardebirth. _ P.S. if you didn’t see: @findyourvillage Calgary, Ottawa, Indianapolis, New Jersey, and Stillwater Oklahoma are…
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Harry Potter, Zumba, & a Home Water Birth
In December, I got to shoot my very first birth session. Let me start by saying—nothing in the world can prepare you for something like that! The birth was set up to be an at-home, water birth. And, boy, I did my research. I read articles on what to expect when birthing at home, the process of having a water…
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Born En Caul, Majestic Spirit, & Family Before Everything
In case you missed last week on our Instagram… “There is a majestic spirit that every mother has within & with that spirit comes the power to accomplish the impossible. Here’s to all of the mothers that make magic happen on a daily basis.” Photographer: @KELBPICS _ Model: @ashleymolinaa Wearing @terrytoccidesigns Styled by @theartistknownasvoodoo Hair by @alterimagebydonna MUA: @thenakirashow #birthwithoutfear A…
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An Unplanned, Unassisted Home VBAC
My birth story begins three years ago when at 35 weeks pregnant we discovered, much to our surprise, our baby girl was in a frank breech position. Following a consult with maternal-fetal-medicine (MFM), we ultimately decided against moving forward with an external cephalic version (ECV) and instead opted to wait and see if she would turn on her own. Unfortunately,…
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Resting & Soaking in Brand New Baby Cleo
Cleo’s birth story begins in the middle of a February heatwave. My husband and I had escaped our 3 children (then aged 7, 4, and 2) for a rare date night, and during dinner he leans over the table and with a cheeky grin says “So, should we have another baby?” I laugh, because we both know that the answer…
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27 ways to Support Pregnant, Laboring, and/or Postpartum Mama
There are so many different ways for a partner to support mama. Some are obvious, some are not. Read on for some ideas on what to ask for from your partner. If you are the partner, here are some examples for you take note of. “Because he is interested in knowing my birth plan, my wishes and needs, and willing…
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A Video Birth Story – Joan and Lauren
Below is a video montage taken from a beautiful home birth inside a birthing tub. Get ready for all the feels in the next 5:04. After that take a look at some beautiful stills below! Submitted by Jennifer Winfrey.
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Selah’s Birth Story
Autumn shares with us the birth story of her fifth child. “Honey, we are pregnant!” And just like that, baby number five was on the way. Actually, it had taken over a year of trying after number four, but once that test showed positive, I was ecstatic. I’m sort of a pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding junkie, and we always wanted…