As a doula, I get the privilege of witnessing the miracle of life by supporting and helping mothers and fathers bring their little babies into this world.  Occasionally I get the chance to photograph the birth as well.  This birth was such an amazing experience for me as I really just watched as this mother let the birth process take over and her body do the work. 

When I arrived at Brianna's house around 1:30 am, her parents were there helping her labor.  Her mother had also experienced natural childbirth and was a great support to her by providing a comforting environment and massaging her back when the contractions came.  Her dad even jumped in from time to time to help out.  Her contractions were close together but you would never have known by her reaction to them.  She was calm, collected and in her groove. We decided to leave for the hospital as she was preparing to labor and birth in a water birthing tub.  The tub helped her to become even more relaxed and her labor progressed very quickly once she was in the water.  Brianna pushed out her little baby only 3 hours after arriving to the hospital.  She never complained once during her labor and never doubted her body or that she wouldn't be able to do.  She knew she could and she did!   Brianna was a beautiful example to me that if allowed and left to birth quietly, with a relaxed state of mind, surrendering to the process,  and having a supportive birth team, women will know what to do and can bring life into this world without interventions.  Brianna gave into her body and let her body do what it needed to do. She pushed for a very short time as her body did most of the work and she birthed her son peacefully in the water

It was one of the most beautiful experiences I have had as a doula.

Brianna birth collage 2

Dr. Harter and Nurse Cindy were both an amazing birth team by allowing Brianna to labor how she wanted and were very respectful of her birthing wishes.  Dr. Harter even allowed the parents time to bond with their baby in the tub for almost an hour before cutting the cord. At one point he was sitting on the bed observing their interactions and then was called to deliver another baby.  He left and then came back and finished what he needed to do. It was awesome to see a doctor be completely calm and relaxed throughout the process. Baby Dean is perfect and he was welcomed into the most amazing family.

collage 3

                                                             HAPPY BIRTH DAY BABY DEAN!!