​I had an absolutely beautiful, crisp Autumn drive to Coeur d'Alene, blasting my pre-birth music, and walked into their home first thing that morning. One of her adorable daughters let me know they were upstairs in the bedroom, and so I crept upstair to find mama laboring so perfectly in her bed (like she promised in her text lol). It seemed like only a few moments after that the midwives walked in to check on her and the baby: everyone was perfect! Mama knew she would be meeting her baby soon, but this labor felt...different.

Their bedroom was setup in these warm earth-tones, a macrame bassinet hanging from the ceiling with a perfectly picked "staying home" outfit with baby's name. There were ultrasound images of their baby resting on their bedside, candles lit, and birth affirmations surrounding her; an absolutely stunning birth space to labor in, swoon-worthy even. 

I remember how peaceful and quiet everything was for most of her labor. Even during a contraction, she was so focused and barely made a sound...but what I remember even more vividly, is the moment she finally spoke and said, "I don't remember it being this hard, it shouldn't be taking this long. He should have been here by now...". Just then, one of her [four] daughters walked in to check on mommy. I could tell that she needed her girls, and welcomed her daughter with a big hug. The midwife asked her if she wanted to help check for baby's heart tones, and that little girl's face LIT UP like fireworks on 4th of July! Grinning from ear-to-ear, she listened to the "thump thump thump thump" of the baby's perfect heart rate. She gave mom one last big hug, and went back into her bedroom where grandma was reading stories to all her sisters.

The mood shifted the moment that door closed, as mom focused back in, and felt her body overcome with the feeling to PUUUUUUUUUSH! Her water broke. She instantly became uncomfortable in the water, and was carefully helped out of the pool by her partner and the midwives, down to the bedroom floor where she lay across a gorgeous sheepskin rug. 

She felt sick. 

She wanted to give up.
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She so desperately wanted to meet her baby...

Fetal ejection reflex took over, and everyone jumped into position: baby was starting to crown! With a deep but gentle push, his head slid out. We waited for mom to have another contraction for his body to be born, and he gave us a little blink before one more mighty push, and he was out into dad's hands, and up on mom's chest. He gave us a really good lung-clearing scream, and the look on both of the parent's faces were priceless: PURE JOY!

Daddy was able to cut the cord right after the placenta was delivered, and the midwives poured a warm herbal bath into the steel tub she had labored in. Mom crawled in to enjoy the soothing herbs, and the hot water against her tired body. Dad snuggled on baby while mama relaxed for a few moments as the water cooled down, and then baby joined her in the herbs. What a beautiful moment we were all able to witness as they both looked him over, admiring their brand new human they had created so beautifully together. Once done with their herbal bath, mom and baby got comfy in bed, nursed for awhile, and ate a hearty postpartum meal prepared by her very own mama; What a glorious Golden Hour.

This just so happened to be Kayla's [from Spokane River Midwives] final catch to be fully certified as a Washington state-licensed midwife; it was an incredible honor being able to witness that monumental occasion, and capture it!! Congratulations, Kayla...you're one badass baby catcher. I cannot wait to share more birth space with you in the near future!!

With my bags already packed in preparation for her due date, I got in my car within 5 minutes, and took the very short drive to her house in the wee morning hours. I'm so lucky I live in a very central location in Spokane...everything is convenient for me! I got to watch as the sun greeted the morning sky to create cotton candy colors all above me. Mama was just slipping into the warm pool water when I walked in, and she took a big sigh of relief as she found the bottom..relaxation. Her midwife, who just so happens to also be her dear friend [bonus points], came up beside her in-between surges to check her blood pressure, and baby's heart tones: All were perfect!

Her mother and sister were there to support her, switching in & out of active doula role, squeezing her hips and telling her how awesome she was doing. It was so sweet to watch them mother her so well! One by one...as the minutes ticked by...her kids woke up for the day, and came down to see what all the commotion was about. Just as her first child came down, it was then that she felt that urge take over her...she was pushing. Honestly, you would barely even know she was in labor up until this point, because she was so quiet, but you could watch her physically bear down. I'm telling you...this little guy came popping right out so fast into mom's hands! So beautiful to watch her bring this baby straight up to her chest, cover him up with a towel to stay warm, gently rubbed his back, and begin to talk to him ever-so softly. Although he came out with a slight lack of color [totally normal] and even a slight meconium stain, he pinked-up in less than 5 minutes, with great ease. He was incredibly alert, and just looking around at all the eyes in the room on him. I cannot even begin to express the excitement on all the older sibling's and cousin's faces when they all got to meet the newest addition in the family...all these little hands were reaching his way, and at one point they even started arguing on who got to hold him first! So entirely and purely loved already, at not even 5 minutes old. One of the greatest things to watch during home births is how the older children are incorporated into the birth story, and this birth was so special with all the little people in attendance. 

Mama and her amazing midwife, Kayla [from Spokane River Midwives], even got to take a quick "birth selfie" right after he arrived, which made me crack up...why did I not think about doing this with any of my births...? Duh, Natalie! Genius idea!!!

Baby's cord was cut, and he was handed to daddy for some skin-to-skin goodness while mama delivered her placenta (with the help of Iron Man...of course). Then, baby was taken with mom to do their healing herbal bath, and the midwife checked out the placenta. Once done, baby 'K' got weighed/measured by dad right on the bed while mama got tucked in to bed. It was the perfect timing for me to leave this beautiful home birth, just in time to make it to the newborn session I had planned that morning at 10am...! This birth filled my bucket to the brim; Congratulations to this amazing family, so elated for you all.

There truly are not words I can muster up that can fully portray how epically hard this mama worked for this baby boy. We all thought this would be a quick & easy second-time home birth, since her first birth was fairly short, and a "breeze" in comparison to what this 2nd baby would bring. She had this amazing partner by her side the entire time, who not only supported her throughout labor physically, but cooked a full breakfast for the whole crew without even asking! I mean, talk about setting the bar high.

Mama armed herself with a badass birth team that included the two incredible women of HazelTree Midwifery, as well as their wonderful birth doula, Michelle. The support of this team was really awe-inspiring to watch over so many hours (I truly cannot wait to work with them again). She had to obviously focus through each contraction when I arrived, but in-between, we were enjoying conversation, good food, and lots of laughs. I followed them as they took a stroll through their neighborhood, which was an Autumn wonderland during this time of year in Northern Idaho!! Oh my goodness, I was so in love with watching them sway, walking hand-in-hand, over the river and through the woods together [literally].

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Cool, calm, and collected: this first-time mama listened to her body, she trusted her birth team (the amazing Spokane River Midwives) and released all the positive energy into her space to have this incredibly empowering first delivery. This couple worked effortlessly together through the day to bring their surprise gender baby into the world, and I could not be more proud in how strong this mother was.

As their Doula, I helped this mama change positions, make sure she (and dad) ate and drank properly during labor, showed her husband counter-pressure measures to help soothe her hips during contractions, and made sure everyone stayed focused in the moment. She walked, talked, laughed, ate, and enjoyed labor around her house, even spent some time outdoors. As labor picked up quickly, the birth pool was filled with warm water, the lights went low, diffuser went on, and all was calm. 

Side Note: OMG how cute is their dog?? She was by mama's side whenever she had the opportunity, until she was eventually kicked out of the tiny bedroom when things picked up. She was melting my heart!! I could really tell that mama enjoyed having her there for comfort; she made her really feel at home, not physically, but emotionally. Perks of a home birth, eh? 

Mom and dad labored so gracefully in the tub, like they had done this before. They swayed and they grunted, "uuuuuuuhh", and then this tiny little human rippled to the surface of the pool, right into dad's hands. Mom brought baby to her chest, then says aloud so peacefully "honey, it's a girl!". Big sister cried out for joy (as you can see), dad got a weak chin, and tears started flowing. Baby "Avalanche" was finally here; a gorgeous, healthy baby girl!!

Vitals were checked on baby in mom's arms, or at her feet. This new mother gave her hours-old baby her very first chiropractic adjustment, which was so beautiful to watch! Both mom and baby were tucked into bed with a nutritious meal, ready to start the day as a new family. This was a truly incredible birth to witness: physiological birth at its' finest.

Are you interested in having your birth story documented, or in having extra support during labor? Feel free to reach out to me anytime for your complimentary in-person consult! You can also browse my portfolio to see more of my work and what I offer.

This brain-child of mine has been a long time coming, but the details just needed to fall into place, and it seems like 2019 will be that year...! I am thrilled to announce a new Doula option for clients: Digital Doula. This is non-physical support both during and after delivery, as well as a birth educator to help guide you through this new journey without being present in the birth space, with 24/7 phone support via text/calls/FaceTime. I am now accepting 2019 Birth clients, and would love to sit down to talk with you more about this option for your family.

It was such a pleasure attending this home birth of fellow newborn photographer, Noelle Joy. The support she had was incredible between her partner and her midwives [Spokane River Midwives], her birth space was seriously so gorgeous (I'm super pea-green with envy), and her fifth baby, her first BOY, was born peacefully at home. 

I have been doing birth videography now for a year or so, but really just now starting to get clients that are comfortable with me sharing their full story. So, a huge thank you to this family for allowing me to share this beautiful moment in your lives...!