A bit extra “babymoon” time here before getting back to “work”–and so a few pictures I have been meaning to put up here! I love birth photos; I hope to get better at shooting them and I hope my clients continue to share them with me. It’s so easy to neglect pictures at a birth; I know at my babies’ own births, we have hardly a dozen birth pictures of all 5 of their births put together! And when I am attending births, it’s often just myself and maybe an assistant present, so not a whole lot of extra hands for the camera. Anyway, I hope to add to the collection slowly–so if you are one of my clients, past or present, you are more than welcome to submit photos of your birth experience! They would be very appreciated!
So, because it is interesting to me, and because I see the whole story behind these photos, I am going to share them with you. Thanks again to the clients and their babies that are willing to share these special moments with the world….
Photo #1 is of a newish baby, born at home of course, relaxing in the famed “herb bath”. This babe was born into water, so the repeat sensation of warm, cozy fluid hours later reminds her, I’m sure, of the womb and her gentle entry into this world. It is common for an hours-old babe to open her eyes and really come alive when relaxing with mama in the postpartum herb bath. I provide the organic herbs for all mamas, and she is encouraged to take a daily bath for at least 3 days after birth, with baby, to promote healing for herself and for drying up the umbilical stump very quickly.
Photo # 2 is of yours truly, moments after birthing my daughter Belgium. I love that this photo shows the normal-ness (if that’s a word) of birth. We’re in my oldest daughter’s room, surrounded by elephants and other mural animals. I’m happily naked, having just brought Belgium up to my body. She is happily pink, and surrounded by love and familiarity. This was my “perfect birth”–completely commonplace yet extremely sacred. My midwife friend Diane just watched, and did not interfere or touch or do anything at all.
Photos #3 and #4 show the same baby. I love birth stories-not just for the story of the birth but what came before. Yet another reason that homebirth is so awesome–because it’s not just the birth; the story starts months before. So, the short story is–this amazing mama birthed a 9 lb boy into the water beautifully and naturally. He is/was a robust, healthy baby and you can see that as she holds him, moments after birth. But the longer story is that this was all an amazing triumph for this woman. This being her second baby, she had birthed the first in a hospital after going into labor prematurely at 33 weeks. When her waters opened way earlier than expected, her dreams for a homebirth were lost, and her midwives did not even accompany her to the hospital. After careful attention to diet this time around (and who knows what else), she went beyond her due date this time! She got the waterbirth (that’s her partner supporting her in the pool, behind her) and totally beautiful unhindered birth that she had wanted.
So, that is it for now! More to come hopefully soon. Is birth beautiful, or what?
Krystal (herb bath baby pic) and I still (at 5 months) bathe together as an almost nightly way of connecting with the beauty of her birth. Her water birth and then our herb baths began a peaceful tradition that keep us connected. She sleeps so well after her baths and as she splashes and plays in the water even now I tell her birth story to her. Consiously reconnecting her to her birth done in her way! Thank you for honoring her spirit throughout her pregnancy and her birth!! Thank you Maryn!!