Today we are celebrating my baby’s 2nd birthday, and the second anniversary of my homebirth with her. I will NEVER forget this experience. I’ve learned so much from my two girls and their birth stories were two of the most incredible experiences of my life! I’d love to share Charlotte’s birth story with you as we celebrate this special day. Enjoy my video and the amazing photography from my good friend and birth photographer, Emily of Makes3 Photography.
Charlotte was born in the peace and warmth of our home, in water and next to a soothing fire while the sun came up. Nothing can describe my obsession with birth. I love pregnancy. I love labor. I love the miracle of birth. I love the first moments as baby feels mommy and daddy for the first time, then sees, hears and smells life outside the womb for the first time. I don’t see birth as something to “get through” or forget about, but as the most empowering and challenging moments a family gets to experience in life. I cherish my births and don’t ever want to forget the details!
Birth is all about the baby, of course, but I actually think it’s all about me (and daddy and siblings), too. This is why I became a doula. I wanted to support moms and families during the labor process to fully enjoy this special time. My birth process belongs to me and my baby and I want to fully experience this overwhelming process that takes over my entire being- mind, body, and spirit. I submit myself to the labor, giving into the pain and intensity of the contractions, talking and communicating with my baby and feeling her move down toward her birth. There is nothing more incredible than reaching down and pulling my baby onto my chest, letting her find her way to nurse, then letting my body feed her and continue to provide the nourishment and protection she needs to survive.
Many people are not aware of birth photographers. They are very special, and Emily is no exception. With my first daughter, I remember snarling at people when they asked if they should take a picture or video. Now I wish I would have known to tell them, “Just take pictures or videos when you think I’ll want to remember that moment.” After my first birth I was on such a “birth high” that I didn’t want to forget a moment of it. Because I only had a few pictures and one short video from the beginning of the 24 hour process, I wrote a 10 page essay documenting every moment that I could remember.
Thank you for sharing my celebration with me! If you are pregnant or want to learn more about your options for pregnancy and birth, visit my Pregnant? page.
Have you ever considered a homebirth, or had one yourself? Or do you have questions about homebirth? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!!
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