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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].     
  On our way back over the bridge heading home, that shift happened; She was no longer laughing and chatting in between contractions. We knew it was time to get home, as the surges were coming harder, and closer together. After numerous stops to breathe and a few double hip squeezes, we finally made it home. Emotions overwhelmed mama, and tears started flowing. This was much harder, and much longer than her previous birth...it wasn't what she was expecting, and she wanted to meet her baby. She wanted to be done. As she cried into her husband's chest, her doula gently stepped in to let her know that she was safe, and surrounded by everyone that loves her, and supports her. Their doula encouraged mama to seek relief in the birth pool the midwives had setup while they were away, and so she did. She sunk down deep into the water, and you could really tell that baby was low by her sacral doming (rhomboid of michaelis), which is an indicator of the second stage of labor (cervix fully dilated, and delivery of baby happens during this stage). We really thought baby would come at any minute...but then contractions slowed down, a lot. Baby was loving it in the womb, heart tones were fantastic, but mama's body (and uterus) was tired. Midwives decided to get mom out of the birth pool, and get her into the miles circuit positions. They even massaged her belly to kick-start more contractions so that she could push baby out effectively (since she was fully dilated and fully effaced). This team tried literally all the positions to get baby underneath her pubic bone, and out to greet us, and they turned to the trusty birth stool. Mom was told to push with everything she had... 
 
        
This woman dug deep down...further than I think she ever even imagined was possible...and she pushed with every ounce her body would allow her in that moment. His head came out!...his head was out!! The midwife unwrapped a cord from his neck, and with another less-mighty push, his body was out and up on mom's chest. Sweet, sweet surrender... Well, NO WONDER her delivery was so hard: Baby boy was super malpositioned! Not only was he presenting Posterior (face-up), but asynclitic as well (head shifted slightly to one side, chin not tucked down). You can tell by the crowning area on his head in pictures shown. This little baby was just trying to come out in his own unique fashion...but oh man, poor mom. She crawled onto the floor in order to deliver the placenta, all while breathing in that sweet, amazing newborn smell. As she lie into bed for the first nursing session, she soaked in the afternoon sun that peeked through their bedroom window. The mood had shifted in this small house, from tense and tired, to calm and euphoric, in the blink of an eye. The birth of baby W was one of the hardest labors I have attended in the last 7 years, but one that will empower me as a birth worker, and one that I will remember, forever. This mother's strength and persistence, the team's tender support and caution during a stressful situation, the father's unwavering support throughout everything...absolute magic to witness. I hope you enjoy reliving this story moments with me:  
      
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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.    
                    Brand New: Digital Doula Option Available - Spokane, Washington Birth Photographer and Birth Doula12/26/2018  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.
Wintery Studio Maternity Sessions - Spokane, Washington Birth Photographer and Birth Doula12/7/2018 Are you ready for Winter Wonderland photos for your maternity or family session...? Then you better be ready to get really excited, because the season of snow is finally upon us!! Winter Sessions are available in the beautiful PNW outdoors during one of our many gorgeous snow falls, or feel free to keep your buns warm inside my little cozy Spokane Valley studio. I have fairly limited availability for the Winter months, and would love to schedule something with you soon...! You are welcome to click the image below for a special little Maternity discount:  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...! *This is a beautiful birth video, & includes adult words. Viewer discretion advised.* Strong, courageous, and level-headed: This woman was every sense of the meaning, "birth warrior". The waves crashed over her for hours, and she rode them with so much grace. With her husband on one hand, her birth doula on the other, her team of midwives all around, and all of her loved ones watching, waiting...she gave birth at home, in water. I had the extreme honor of photographing her previous labor & delivery, which was an incredible surrogate birth at Kootenai County Medical Center. In this all-video film you will see how amazingly she listened to and trusted her body, and amazingly roared her baby Earthside. I see so many women get into this primal state as they deliver their babies, and this mom was no different. She growled, grit her teeth, and let her body take over to push her baby girl out. This process is always so awe-inspiring, and simply never gets old! A huge shout out to this mom's partner and husband, who was there by her side through every single second of this labor...to Julie Denlinger as the most amazing space-holder and hip squeezer I have ever seen...and to the amazing team at Spokane River Midwives for the most calm, collected presence you bring to each and every birth. I was called to this home by mom's doula on May 22nd, at 12:26pm. I happened to be at the new Birth Center in Post Falls taking pictures for them when we got the text, and so we finished up and headed out all together. I had my own 3 month old baby with me, so I dropped him back off at home with daddy, and made my way to this mom's house. This woman was obviously very focused during contractions, but still laughing in between contractions, which was such an uplifting environment to walk into and begin documenting. With BirthTube recording in the background for over 1,000 viewers across the world, she gave birth to the most beautiful, calm little girl. She was so quiet even, that the midwives seemed a little concerned for a bit...but nothing to worry about! She was simply born into a calm environment, and needed a tiny bit of assistance to give us a good cry. The midwives did an AMAZING job at staying calm in what could have been a scary situation to others who don't know what all the variations of normal birth look like. Baby's color turned pink so quick, she gripped on tight to the midwives' finger as she laid skin-to-skin on mom's chest, and looked around at everyone watching her, in total awe of her new journey. All the newborn checks were done while the baby was still with mom, and her cord not cut until mom was resting in her fresh clean bed. This mama's doula brought her a plate of food, a big drink of electrolyte water, and was left to nurse and bond with baby. After the placenta was safely delivered, baby was weighed and measured on their bed, all while their birth team cleaned up the delivery area...then one-by-one, everyone left the house with a full heart for this family. Welcome to the World, baby E! Your family is truly amazing, and I can't wait to watch you grow up big, strong, and brave...just like your badass mama. ;)  
      
    This is one mini series that I am elated to put on every year, and this year is even MORE exciting: I am adding video to each session! This video will not only include all the still portraits from our session together, but short video clips to fully capture and document the relationship between you and your little ones. Sessions will be scheduled on a one-on-one basis and include:
I have the pleasure of holding TWO separate Mini Maternity Session series this year to welcome more families to document this pregnancy journey! These will both take place in the beautiful outdoors: one series on May 19th, the other on July 29th. You are free to try on any gown from my dress collection; All stages of pregnancy are welcome! Fee: $175 + tax, payment must be made in full to reserve your time slot.
 
 
These Simply Baby mini sessions are the perfect amount of time to capture those tiny baby details, and their growing personality at each stage. I have quite a few props that I will set out to use, or bring your own! Normally these sessions are done naked, or minimally dressed. The sessions are 15 minutes, done in my cozy home studio, and include 5 digital images with the initial fee. Please schedule your session on or before February 18th. You can claim a spot by purchasing a session today:
 Come see me at Baby Fair this year, and say heyyyy!! I will have some awesome giveaways, session discounts, and quite a bit more up my sleeve... Worth checking out if you are expecting in 2018! March 4th at the Convention Center in Spokane, Washington [ Link to event ].  |
AuthorNatalie Bee is a Spokane, Washington-based Birth Doula and Photographer, a mother of four willings, and a PNW native. Archives
December 2020
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