Detailed steps for how to petition your insurance company to cover doula care.
Lena's Birth Story | Puget Sound Birth Center in Renton, WA | Seattle Birth Photographer
Lena Bean. That’s what her mama calls her. I can’t believe she’s almost a year old. Jenna and Bunthay invited me to be part of their birth team and it was an incredible honor to be present.
Jenna birthed on the eve of a pandemic. She birthed with power and in community. She birthed with a deep connection to culture. To family. To past and present and future. Because that’s the kind of thoughtful and powerful human she is.
We were called to witness Jenna’s vulnerability and courage as she brought forth a baby girl. She claimed motherhood on her own terms and it was SACRED to behold.
This family and this birth : I don’t even have words.
Are you crying yet? A parent catching their baby will always get me teary. Every dang time.
Look, I talk a lot about birthing people. A lot about women. But let’s give some space for these portraits of fatherhood. The presence and adoration and nurturing. To all the dads out there who are strong and soft. The ones who are THERE for their partners and their children — we see you.
OK - this doula. Well, she’s actually a midwife now. Terri Chi-Lee brings her whole heart to birth work. She is calm, compassionate and incredibly generous. Tell your friends in the south Puget Sound Region that Generations Midwifery is here for her community.
Ms. Lena Bean, as you approach the one year anniversary of your birth, I hope you feel all the love that surrounds you. Thank you for coming earthside and letting us witness your beautiful beginning.
Jenna recorded this incredible story for Lena - give it a listen. It’s powerful work and we should all sit with it. #Blackhistory #Blackfutures #Khmer #liberation
…………….
To connect with the folks in these photos, follow them and support their work.
Parents : Jenna Hanchard and Bunthay (he’s more private, but they are BOTH doing the work for Black and brown liberation)
Midwife : Jenn Linstad from Rainier Valley Midwives
Birth Assistant : Mercedes Snyder (Black midwife alert!)
Doula : Terri Chi-Lee
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.
Birth Film | Home Birth in Shoreline, WA with Lake Washington Midwives
Deep Breath.
I couldn’t have asked for a more lovely family to work with for my very first birth film. I was nervous, but they were oh-so gracious. There is always a learning curve with new skills, always things that could be better technically. But this story brings me to tears every time.
Happy birthing day Baby G. Your entrance was one I will always remember. Thank you Catherine and Carlos for sharing your remarkable story with the world — for allowing us to see the absolute power and majesty that is birth.
If you’d like a film to document your birth or postpartum period, send me a message — I’d love to talk with you about options!
In Her Own Words : Beckham's Birth Story | Home Birth in Snohomish, WA with Cascade Midwives | Snohomish County Birth Photographer
I went to college with Alycia, and was so honored when she asked me to document the birth of her 5th child in February of 2019. A fellow friend and birth photographer had captured a previous birth story for Alycia and she told me, “Get ready. She doesn’t look like she’s in labor and then - Whammo - she has a baby!” I thought this must surely be an exaggeration, as most people display fairly predictable behaviors as they move through the labor process. But as you’ll see in the photos below, she was spot on. This was THE CALMEST birth I have ever attended. It was simply beautiful for a number of reasons. I’ll let Alycia take it from here:
It was so important to me to have this birth documented. After two miscarriages, infection, pain, an endometriosis diagnosis, and two surgeries, we weren’t sure if this day would ever come.
On the day of Beckham’s birth the snow slowed down enough so I could get to an appointment with my midwife. 12 days post-date. Another big storm was ready to hit that night. My midwife told me I was in a very slow moving labor, so we decided to set up a time that evening to have her come break my water. It was extremely important for me to have my photographer there. She was coming from an hour away so it needed to be before the snow.
My best friend and mom were both able to come to the birth which made it really special. I had my essential oils out ready to use if needed next to a quote that inspired me.
My husband made me tea and rubbed my shoulders through contractions while my mom, friend, and the midwife prepared the tub.
After only an hour or so I went into the tub, ready for the relief the water brings. I sat and read every affirmation of love given to me on the banner from my dear friends who came to my mother’s blessing. I listened to my hypnobirthing meditations. Henna was another relaxing thing for me during those last few weeks and the design I had drawn on my hand reminded me of that peaceful feeling.
This guy came out fast and furious. He was probably the angriest newborn I have ever seen, but with the sweetest face and dimples on his cheeks.
This. THIS is why birth photography is so important. I didn’t have to worry about my husband or my mom or even my best friend taking pictures for me. They were IN the photos too.
Quick interruption from me (the photographer). I think the above image is so fascinating because Alycia’s placenta was slow to detach completely. While most of it had been expelled, the tiniest bit of membrane stayed in place, so technically the birth was not over. Because there was no bleeding to speak of, her midwife was able to JUST WAIT. Something that midwives are especially good at. It finally came away and this beautiful heart-shaped placenta was declared intact with hardly any postpartum bleeding. Lovely.
OK - back to Alycia’s narration.
One of the things I loved about a home birth is that your care provider is with you 100% of the time. There aren’t any shift changes or worries about your doctor getting there on time. My midwife cared for both the baby and I from beginning to end.
After baby’s check we got him dressed in his “going home” outfit even though he wasn’t going anywhere. We actually didn’t leave this room for a week. I never thought I would have a baby at home. I had an epidural with my first two. This time it just felt right for us, even though I know it isn’t right for every family, mother, or baby.
I will always treasure these. The looks on my kids’ faces when they saw their brother for the first time. Especially our oldest! He know how much we went through to bring this guy in the world and his tender heart was just bursting.
Thank you for sharing your lovely birth story with us, Alycia. I am so happy for you and your family and I’ll always remember that cozy snowy evening when we welcomed Beckham to the world. And one of these days I’m going to need you to teach me about meditating. Because I used hypnobirthing for one of my births and it did NOT look like this. haha!
Midwifery care by : Brianna Curtis with Cascade Midwifery.
See Alycia’s soulful photography work at Story of Home Photography.
Elijah's Birth Story | C-Section Birth at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, WA | Seattle Birth Photographer
When I arrived at the hospital, Allison and Joshua were working hard through contractions with the support of their doula, Cori. I remembered the first time we met in a coffee shop in Kirkland and their joy and anticipation in welcoming their son was just palpable. They also KNEW they wanted to document this important transition for their family - something a birth photographer always loves to hear.
Throughout Allison’s labor there were moments of peace, lots of laughter, some fear and anxiety, incredible support and a difficult change of plans. Birth is a RIDE. It takes us to surprising places in ways that are both empowering and sometimes terrifying. It’s at this intersection of life and love and pain and joy that the human experience lays itself bare. This is what makes birth work so sacred. I’m privileged each and every time a family invites me to walk this path with them - to document the journey for their remembrance and reflection.
Absolutely LOVE the details in the birth room - those little things that illustrate your story. Elements of faith and belief, the kindest batch of cookies to say thank you, the way we pass the time.
When your doula makes you a flower crown because she recognizes that you are a queen. Then the royal massage can begin! It matters that you feel cherished when giving birth. It matters that you have access to compassionate and healing touch if that’s what soothes you. Birth is intense - and you deserve to feel held, supported and beautiful the entire way through.
Did you know that even with an epidural, you can continue to labor and push in an upright position? This gives your body and your baby a chance to work with gravity in making the descent into the birth canal. Love all the nurses and doulas who do much of the physical work required to help families labor in positions that feel right for them.
As pushing continued with no sign of baby’s descent, it was time to make the difficult decision to move forward with a surgical birth. This was something Allison and Joshua had really not wanted for their son’s birth. It was a scary turn of events for them. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you are given the time and space to mourn what you need to mourn about your birth. It is valid to feel any range of feelings when your birth goes in a direction you did not anticipate or want. It’s a complicated experience. You can feel grateful that you and your baby are safe AND feel really scared. You can love your baby AND feel sad or angry about the way their birth went. It’s all OK.
Mourning and grieving take time, and so does healing. My hope for every family is that they have people in their lives who can sit with them in the difficult feelings. Who can be patient and compassionate. Who can listen without judgement. However you feel about your birth is totally valid. It’s your experience to process in whatever way works best for you.
If you need help or more support (no matter how long it’s been since you gave birth) I am always happy to help you find someone who can assist you.
I saw her laying on the operation table, arms outstretched. I thought about the cross she wears around her neck. I thought about sacrifice - about giving your own body so that another may live. This mama’s story is one of strength and redemption. All that she went through to bring her sweet baby earthside - what a beautiful testament to a mother’s love.
Welcome home Elijah! We’re all so glad you’re here. Mama, Papa and doting grandparents too. May you always know love and safety and how very much you are cherished.
Place of Delivery : Evergreen Health Maternity Center
Doula Care by : Cori Hartunian
Connect with Allison on IG : @beingwifeandmama
I still have availability for births in King and Snohomish Counties for March and April 2020 and beyond. Reach out today to start the conversation about having your birth documented.
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.”
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.
Fresh 48 - what's all the fuss? | Fresh 48 Photography at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, WA | Seattle Birth Photographer
So, what exactly is a Fresh 48 Session?
It means capturing images of your darling baby when they are still fresh and brand new!
I love getting the text from my clients that their long-awaited child has finally arrived. These sessions are all about documenting the magic of that special bubble between labor and delivery and going home to your “real life.” You came to the hospital as two people and you are leaving as three. Or more! (I see you, parents of multiples)
When I walk into a postpartum room at Evergreen or Swedish or any other local hospital I am greeted by the hushed voices of parents clearly in love with this incredible being they created. The tiny cries and the flailing arms and the way his entire bum fits into your hand. It will AMAZE you how quickly your baby grows. It happens almost before your eyes at first. That’s what makes photographing Fresh48 Sessions so special. It’s a tiny glimpse into the most fleeting of moments.
For families considering booking a Fresh48 Session, please send me a message! I’d love to talk with you about what to expect, how it all works, and how excited I am to make art from your most meaningful moments.
Birth of Baby E | Swedish First Hill | Seattle Birth Photographer
The night I met Shawnte and Eric at the hospital for the birth of their second child was full of laughter and support. Shawnte’s preferred method to cope with contractions was to stay distracted. So Eric regaled us with funny stories, we cracked jokes about the film Castaway playing on TV, and through it all, their awesome doula Mercedes created a soft and supportive energy as this family navigated their birthing process.
An attentive partner, a tub of warm water, a doula soothingly pouring that water over your contracting belly - this is birth magic.
“Hi there Daddy, let me help you cut that cord.”
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.