In Her Own Words : Stella's VBAC | Evergreen Hospital | Seattle Birth Doula and Photographer

My favorite text to receive: “Hi Whitney - we’re having another baby and we want you to be there with us again!” There is no greater honor than a family inviting you AGAIN to share in their birth experience.

Jenny’s first birth did not go exactly as planned and this time she was hoping to VBAC at Evergreen Medical Center, the very hospital where she catches babies for a living - so cool! Well, she absolutely rocked that VBAC - and she shares her story with us below:

Early in the morning of August 7th, after a full night of sleep (rare occurrence in my last few months) I woke to a feeling I had felt just under 4 yrs ago- my waters releasing. Caught off guard at just over 37 weeks and thoroughly relieved; an ultrasound just the day before suggested this little nugget had a great big belly and was swimming in a big pool (not a great data points when you have gestational diabetes and are part of the “hospital maternity system” and hoping for a vaginal birth). Over the next 5 hrs labor picked up. I was grateful for being able to bring my daughter to school prior to any intense contractions. We headed to my work - no scrubs or badge for this trip. Greeted by my colleagues and accompanied by my very nervous husband and wonderful photographer/doula I didn’t have any (well hardly any) time to worry Stella would cause the same trouble as her sister.

3cm to baby in arms in just over 2 hrs!

I am in awe of those with whom I have cared for throughout this very process over the last 10 yrs. Surreal to feel the emotion I have seen in their eyes and felt under my hands. Comforting to hear my own words through my midwife, who I happened to precept a few years back. Powerful to feel the shear force and strength of my body.

Thankful to my photographer for capturing this day. And for my midwives, for their presence and touch. Anthony’s version of this story will forever bring a smile to my face. Miss Stella June, you are a force.

Jameson's Birth Story | Sprout Birth Center in Mountlake Terrace, WA | Seattle Birth Photographer

As a birth photographer, the sound I most hate to hear is that of a baby crying while I make my way quickly down the hall. If you’re a birth professional, you know. It’s happened only three times in my 8 year career, but it’s just the worst. Some babies come faster than expected and I hate not being there to capture the whole story for my clients.

The second worst sound upon arrival - total silence. By the time I join my clients, they are in active labor and moaning is like music to my ears. When pushing is happening, there tends to be long stretches of silence (contractions often space out) punctuated by primal grunts of someone working harder than they ever have before.

So when I walked in to a calm and quiet room and heard the midwife calmly say, “Good. She made it in time,” I knew there was not a moment to lose. Get the camera put together and take some breaths because adrenaline causes shaky hands and we have NO TIME for that!

This is Breanne and she is a bad-ass. This first time mama let me know that she was laboring at home and then her husband Geoff called me to say they were heading to the birth center - the one 10 minutes from my house. Perfect.

So imagine everyone’s surprise when she started feeling pushy on the car ride over. This is what it looked like when I arrived.

I love these next few frames! Notice how pain changes to surprise, utter love and triumph in moments. Birth is incredible like that.

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”

— Barbara Katz Rothman

Auntie and Big Sis were there to witness the miracle. It’s such a neat thing for families to welcome the new baby together.

I love this moment so much. The intimacy. The normalcy of postpartum care. The sense of community and family. This is what birth can look like. And if this setting appeals to you - perhaps you should look into having your baby at home or in a birth center.

Always digging those birth details. Big Sister? Not so much. Check out her reaction to the placenta tour! haha!

Who knows what the olive oil is for? And what’s Midwife Maya teaching Geoff about diapering a baby boy? Hint: point it down or you WILL regret it.

After a car seat safety check it’s time for Jameson and his adoring fans to head home. Breanne and Geoff, thank you so much for allowing me the privilege to document your son’s entrance to the world. It was absolutely a pleasure and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you back in the birthing room before too long. Ha!

Midwifery Care : Sprout Birth Center and Natural Health

If you’d like more information about birth sessions, send me a message and we can chat.

Luella's Birth with Northwest Hospital Midwives | Seattle Birth Photographer

This story has been featured on one of my favorite podcasts, The Birth Hour. Take a listen to hear Aleesha tell it in her own words!

Aleesha and Doug hired me to photograph the birth of their second child. Like many people who hire a birth photographer, they view birth as a transformative experience - something to be present with, something to celebrate. So they asked me along to document their journey, and what a journey it was!

Little Luella took her sweet time moving into just the right position for delivery. Early labor was a bit slow and drawn out, with Aleesha using the Miles Circuit to hopefully move things along. And then when active labor hit - BAM - it really took off.

I arrived at Northwest Hospital to find a cheerful, excited husband, a calm grandmother, a supportive midwife and a vomiting Aleesha. (transition anyone?) Between bouts of vomiting she said, “I hope they don’t send me home.” We all shared a smile over that - sensing this baby was indeed close to arrival and marveling at Aleesha’s strength and sense of focus.

Let’s have three cheers for an attentive husband, a cold wash cloth on the forehead, hydrotherapy (bath tubs are often called the midwife’s epidural) and counter pressure. This is what birth in the hospital can look like. It can be active, upright, and attended by the people who matter to you. The Northwest Hospital Midwives pride themselves on supporting physiological birth - and I’ve seen this level of care delivered by their practice again and again.

At the center of it all is a birthing person who knows what kind of delivery she wants to have, trusts the power of her own body and the powerful process that is birth. She rode the waves of a fast active labor and before long she was pushing.

Luella was limp and quiet at birth. When she didn’t respond to the stimulation of rubbing it was time for the newborn nurse to take her over to the warmer for a bit more support and a thorough assessment. This can be a very tense time for a family (and everyone at the birth), but as we’ve discussed before, 1 in 10 babies born requires SOME form of neonatal resuscitation. Sometimes they are stunned from the journey and they just need some time, some air, some help getting started in this strange new world.

Then there was big, lusty cry from the warming table and relieved laughter throughout the room. Welcome, little girl - we’re all so glad you’re here.

I love a newborn exam that takes place right there on the bed. No need to move baby from her mother’s arms. These first hours together are something you can never get back. They should be respected and revered.

Birth is simply the most miraculous event that happens every single day. I drove home in the stillness of the night, carrying Luella’s bright eyes in my memory. Brought to earth with strength, trust and compassion, surrounded by love and joy – surely there is a beautiful life ahead for this wondrous girl.