It has taken me some time to find the right words for THIS uncertain and emotional time iN all of our lives right now. many OF US are struggling in this moment; emotionally, FINANCIALLY  physically. we have to come together as a community now more than ever before, and help. with hospital policies rapidly changing in the birth community, it creates an unease, specifically for pregnant individuals. that is why I am here now, as an educated and experienced birth doula and mother of four, to help in any way I possible can for my community: digital doula, virtual birth support. 

I am providing digital doula services for anyone who feels they need the extra support during this time; This includes 24/7 phone support via call, text, and FACETIAE availability throughout labor and postpartum. even if I cannot be there for you physically, I am still able to provide education for you (and your partner), an amazing referral list for other support businesses during this time, as well as a custom phone app to obtain key knowledge on labor and birthing positions, POSTPARTUM tips, and so much more! 

please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything I can help with:
nataliebeephotography@gmail.com
509.998.3332

I followed the moaning after arriving to their house in the wee morning hours, and found mama laboring in the bathtub with her husband applying that oh-so-nice lower back counter-pressure; she was obviously very close to delivering, as I have been blessed to attend her previous home birth 3 years ago.

Her knees started hurting in the pool, and she really needed to get into a different position. To the bed, we went! As soon as her hands hit that bed, another wave came crashing over her. This time, it one of the amazing midwives, Eva Sample, who was there to comfort her through it. When it washed through her, they moved her into a comfortable position on the bed to check for fetal heart tones, and ran to wake up their eldest child so she could be present for the delivery. Mama started pushing, and the tip of baby's hair could all of the sudden be seen! Her midwife, Margaret Lipton, says in the sweetest voice, "would you like to feel your baby's head...?", and she helped mama reach down to feel the squishy, silky-soft head emerging. In such an incredibly controlled moment, this amazing woman panted, and pushed, and out came the baby's entire head.

They waited for another contraction, and as the next one started climbing, she pushed one final time to greet her baby GIRL with a joyous smile and a loving "hi baby!!". 

Amazement and  pure awe were the looks on daddy's and big sister's face; Needless to say, big sister was OVER THE MOON to have a baby sister after 2 baby brothers. You couldn't have wiped that smile off her face if you tried, she was just so happy to witness her strong mom birth this perfect baby sister. Not long after she was born, the sun started rising over the mountains casting a soft pink/orange glow throughout the Spokane Valley, and it just seemed so fitting in that moment. Mama was lying on the bed in silence, nursing her baby girl for the first time, flush in bright pink morning light. 

As a birth worker, I think one of the more fascinating things to me is the unique journey everyone experiences when becoming a parent. The process of getting pregnant plays a HUGE role in an individual/family's story, and this family in particular has an incredible story of loss, endurance, strength, and an epic kind of love... 

This mama contacted me about documenting her home birth early on, but wanted to be honest & open about her great anxiety about everything leading up to the big day. They had suffered a previous loss, and then tried so hard to get pregnant on their own, without success; they decided to go down the emotional path that is IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) in order to conceive this very special surprise-gender Rainbow Baby, and this mama wanted their incredibly special story to be remembered forever through imagery and film, as well as shared with others who may have experienced [and will experience in the future] something similar. The images she showed me proves what an emotional rollercoaster it is for these families to deal with infertility, and brought so many tears to my eyes the moment I set eyes on them...and this was only a mere blip of what they went through:

Mama went nearly 2 weeks past her due date with her two previous babies, so when I got the "Today is baby day" text, I made myself ready and available for any moment that she needed me...but this surprise gender Baby had other plans, and really just wanted to stay warm inside mama for a little longer. It was hard being patient, but at least they had a sense of humor about it all (obviously, by the texts she was sending me):

When the next series of texts came in, they weren't quite as elaborate, and didn't have the spunky sense of humor behind it like before...just a simple "I'm ready" at 1:30am. Thankfully I lived only a couple minutes away, but it truly felt like mere seconds and I was at her doorstep and letting myself in; I entered their beautiful bedroom, and noticed the meticulousness of her birth space: candles burning, essential oils diffusing, a beautiful metal tub covered in christmas lights with birth affirmation cards hanging above it, and all the new baby's outfits/diapers/wipes set out on their bedside co-sleeper. So much love was put into this entire journey, even in the last moments of pregnancy.

Mama & baby were getting checked out by her midwife, the lovely Margaret Lipton, when I arrived. As each surge came and went, she breathed through them, and focused so well on each contraction. Her husband was by her side holding her hand, telling her what an great job she was doing, and making sure she felt safe. Not long after I arrived, their doula [Miri] came to support them as well. Both mom and dad wanted to finally get in their birth pool, so the doula fetched the pots of boiling water from downstairs, and gently whisked the hot water into the cooler water of the pool until it was just perfect for them to relax and enjoy this final stage of labor...

They hadn't spent much time in the birth pool, before she realized how much the water was slowing down the timing in between contractions, and just felt like she needed to get out and move around again. The instant she stepped outside of the tub, another contraction started. Just a few steps to the bathroom: another one. Things were picking up when she was upright, and using gravity to benefit the process. She spent a few contractions on the toilet, not sure whether to get up and move around, or settle in there for awhile. Once she got a small break, she came back into the bedroom to lay down on her bed again. The midwives checked baby's heart tones, and her blood pressure: signs were showing how hard they were both working for this, but all was still great!

Just then, her kids could be heard waking up for the morning, and coming down the hallway into the bedroom to greet us. They both peeked their littles faces in, and giggled, as all eyes were on them. They came in, and threw their arms around mom's neck; you could see mom instantly relax after being able to hug them so tight. She is hoping this is the motivation she needs to get beyond this point, and push her baby out. At this point, she had been laboring basically all night long, and was around 7-8cm dilated for a few hours. 

"This is so hard, you guys, I just can't do this anymore...I'm so tired, and feel like I'm not pushing effectively." 

The midwives ran her a warm bath, and told her to go relax as much as possible for as long as possible, alone. We all stepped away, gave her the space she very much needed, allowing the process to unfold naturally. When she got out of the bath about an hour later, she was rested, and ready to start pushing once again. 

With the help from her birth team, ​she got into practically every position possible to push her baby out with all her might. Her Doula even wrapped a rebozo around her hips for counter-support, got her to squat down low, side-lying on the bed: you name it, they tried it!! Another hour went by, and mama was squatting next to the bed, her head lay gently in her husband's lap, exhausted and frustrated. The midwives checked on progress just then: baby's head was not coming down like the midwife had hoped it would have by now, and baby's heart tones were dipping lower than she felt comfortable with. She suspected a cord wrapped around the neck, or more likely a mal-positioned baby, or both? We would know soon, because it was time to talk about her plan B: Hospital transfer.

She was worn out, had endured so much pain up until this point, and was very ready to meet her baby, but she truly did not want to transfer to the hospital. However, this mama also knew she couldn't go on like this much longer, and that baby's safety was her number one priority above all...so, her midwife gave her another couple contractions while checking heart tones just to give her another chance to just push this babe out; they dipped once again. It was then that everyone went into GO-MODE and packed up all the family's bags, and quietly went downstairs to head out. Mama gave her midwife a tear-filled hug that felt like it lasted for 5 minutes. I could tell she felt defeated, and scared. She didn't realize in that moment, of course, what a huge accomplishment she already had made so far, and how absolutely hard she fought for what she wanted. This woman was a true warrior, in every single sense of the word!!

We arrived to Deaconess hospital: they were waiting for us with a wheelchair since the midwife had called ahead to let them know we were coming in. They took her up while I frantically found a parking spot, which felt like it took forever and a day! Meanwhile...her I.V. and epidural were placed, and things were just settling in when I walked into the L&D room. Once the hospital staff left to chart, her tears started flowing. I could feel her pain in my bones...

Once she was fully numb from the epidural, they prepared her to start pushing again while baby continued to be monitored. Sure enough, as soon as baby started coming down, we knew why this baby wasn't coming out: Baby was Posterior AND Asynclitic, meaning it was presenting face-up, with it's head tilted to one side. Baby was stuck in her pelvis, and the doctor had to manually tuck baby's chin down. With a loud "pop!", like a soda being opened, the doctor was able to get the baby unstuck out of it's sideways positioning, and into a better posterior spot for delivery. With one more huge mighty push, out came the face! She did it, mama pushed this complete OP baby out vaginally!! If you have birthed a mal-positioned baby, you understand and most likely empathize with what this mama went through to finally meet HIM. Yes, a beautiful baby boy...!!

​He needed a little assistance on the warmer away from mama as soon as he was born, to clear his airways, but daddy was there every step of the way. Baby boy held onto daddy's finger while getting checked over, and he made sure baby knew everything was going to be okay, and how beautiful he was! It was the first father/son bonding moment in this little human's life, at not even 2 minutes old, and it was incredible to witness. He was soon brought to mama for some skin-to-skin, and she immediately clung to him, wept, then kissed her husband with so much joy on both their faces. The emotion that washed over everyone, there are truly no words to describe how it felt...but it felt heavy and light at the same time. I guess it just doesn't make sense until you're in that moment, you know? Pictures never even do it justice.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture video at Deaconess due to hospital policy, but I asked mama if she wanted me to come back to get some video and images of her and baby boy in her birth tub, at home, like they had originally planned...and she thought that might help heal her heart a bit after this whole home-birth-turned-hospital-transfer experience. I came back just a couple days after baby boy arrived Earthside, and was able to capture them all snuggling together, newborn nursing, and them enjoying a warm bath together. It was so lovely watching them connect as a new family unit, and love on this tiny human so much. What a beautiful, BRIGHT Rainbow he has been for this amazing family.

​Welcome to this World, sweet baby K!!

​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.