The Beauty of Birth
Words Like Stunning, Unforgettable and Triumphant
Don’t begin to describe the words and images I am privileged to share today. These are my real-life friends talking everything from. . . on second thought I won’t spoil their stories for you. Let’s read together and bask in the beauty of birth.
Disclaimer: Some images may be considered graphic by some. All photos copyright Lynsey Stone Photography
Chad, Esther, Curt and Jackson (VBAC)
In her own words:
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failures, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt
This powerful quote became my desire and focus during my pregnancy as I prepared to attempt a VBAC: daring to win a glorious triumph by attempting a natural birth without reservation. I was determined, that no matter what, I would honor God, our precious baby, and myself by trying to deliver my baby in a way which doctors told me was impossible. After enduring a traumatic and necessary c-section birth with my first son two years ago, I had finally come to a good place of letting all negative emotions surface, choosing to heal from the experience and move forward.
. . . Taking charge of my birth experience and and reclaiming back my body after an unwanted c-section was a healing balm for me and my family. Truly it is a gift to give birth without any medication or interventions. I am eternally grateful to the Lord, my husband, and the incredible birth team (Ann Crowell and Cindy Haggerton–they were the same team that helped with my first delivery and were a huge factor in my vbac coming to fruition) for believing in me and assisting me in achieving the birth that longed for and was created to do. I learned to trust myself, my body, and knowing and wholeheartedly believing that the inner strength was in me and would come into fruition in the exact moment when needed.
Click on the image above to start slideshow
Barry, Whittney and Avery (Breech Homebirth)
In her own words:
My 11 week old daughter was born very peacefully at home into the hands of my husband and midwife. My birth was not what I planned, but exactly what I hoped for. My labor began at 4:30AM with contractions 3-5 minutes apart. I labored at home alone as I wished until my water broke at 1:45PM. My husband came home from work and we called my midwife and doula. When my birth team arrived, they were surprised to find that I was completely dilated and my daughter was coming frank breech (bottom first). My little one had been head down for weeks and we think that she flipped during my fast labor. My birth team was professional and calm and discussed quickly with us our options. We could transport to the hospital where I would certainly have a Cesarean section or we could stay home and deliver vaginally. My midwife discussed the risks of both and we decided that we should stay home.
My midwife called in another midwife in the area for support and they calmly coached me through the pushing stage. They checked the heart tones of the baby every few minutes and studied exactly how the baby was presenting. I never once felt that me or my daughter were in danger. My body was created to have babies….even a breech baby.
Click on the image above to start slideshow
Eamon, Mae and Lily (Home Waterbirth)
In her own words:
Eamon started to fill the birth tub with hot water as I breathed through some more contractions. I quickly got down to my tube top and hopped…ummm, waddled in. At around 10 p.m. I finally convinced Eamon it was time to call Ann.
Our conversation went a little bit like this
“Hi Ann, it’s Mae”–apparently I was unaware of caller i.d.
“Hey Miss Mae”
CONTRACTION
Ann- “Well that was a good one, whatchya thinkin?”
Me – “I’M THINKIN I’M GONNA HAVE A BABY, ANN”
Ann- “That’s a good thought to have!”
“Well have you taken a hot bath?”
Me- “I’m in the tub right now!”I have to admit, if I were her, I wouldn’t rush right over either!
After a few more minutes of deciding what we needed, Eamon and I decided that it would be best for us to labor alone for just a bit longer, a decision that set the night off splendidly.
Click on the image above to start slideshow
Do you know a mama (or 10) who would just love this? Maybe you should send it to them!
Heather
Thank you Esther, Whittney and Mae for sharing your experiences!
Mae
Thank YOU for letting us be a part of this!
.-= Mae´s last blog ..Meal Plan Monday =-.
Joanna Moore
kinda makes me want to have another baby just so i can do it naturally. not right away of course, and i’m not sure that’s even a good enough reason! but, IF we do, that’s definitely the route i’ll take!
the Lord hasn’t failed you before, he won’t fail you now. he loves your family even more than you do, and just think how much you long to take care of them– he’s for sure gonna take care of you!
Heather
Thank you so much, Joanna. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement of my friends!
As an aside, if you DO have another little one you HAVE to have Lynsey Stone photograph your birth. Isn’t she amazing???
JamietheVeryWorstMissionary
Gotta admit, bringing my babies into the world is still, and by far, the best, most powerful, most incredible thing I have ever experienced. Thanks for the reminder.
.-= JamietheVeryWorstMissionary´s last blog ..Missionaries probably shouldn’t be jealous of strippers. But sometimes they are. =-.
Mae
You know, there is one thing that I have never told anyone about that whole experience. The accomplishment I felt, not just as a woman, but as a 20 year and 2 day old woman. My whole life I felt as if my age had kept me back, but it worked to my advantage during our birth, and I’m really proud of that.
.-= Mae´s last blog ..Meal Plan Monday =-.
Hannah Tallo
These are so beautiful! Makes me wish we had hired a birth photographer…all we have are some snap shots and none are amazing. Next time!
.-= Hannah Tallo´s last blog ..To my baby girl! =-.
Heather
A two day labor and no pics makes me wish I’d hired a birth photographer and a DOULA! That’s what second babies are for ; – )
Kate
Oh my goodness. Esther’s slide show brought me to tears! You could totally feel the deep love between her and Chad and Jackson. SO beautiful!!
Melodie
Gorgeous. Love the songs set to the videos too. Makes me want to have another baby actually. Although I guess that will never happen since we went for the vasectomy after number two. Oh well. Thanks to everyone for sharing their photos here.
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..Breastfeeding Moms Don’t Have To Introduce Cow’s Milk =-.
Linda
Um, this was NOT the post for me to read the night before my husband is going to have a vasectomy
Now I want another baby.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Is it the job of a man or woman? =-.
Heather
LOL!
Mae
Oh, I also wanted to tell you something. We moved in to our apartment on my due date. Everything but the birth supplies were in boxes…til she was 3 months old! Lol. What I’m trying to say is while the uncertainty may very well kill you [sometimes I'm dramatic] the blessing of Babypotomus is going to surpass all anxiety about the uncertainty of your situation. I hope you get to experience that in the end :]
.-= Mae´s last blog ..Meal Plan Monday =-.
Heather
Thanks, Mae!
TGIF Giveaway!!! « The Mommypotamus
[...] busy week found me experimenting with recipes for the Standard Process Cleanse and sharing beautiful birth stories. An unexpected pleasure – I also got to photograph this little [...]
Dwija {House Unseen}
Labor and delivery is my absolute most favorite part of being pregnant! Only 4 more months until I can do it again. I can’t wait!
Dwija {House Unseen}´s last [type] ..Celebrating Lent with a "Yes"
Erica
This was beautiful.
Stefanie Cruz via FB
I couldn’t get the last slideshow to work
Mommypotamus via FB
Thanks for letting me know Stepanie! I’ll check it as soon as I get home:-)
Mommypotamus via FB
Alrighty, it’s working now! Thanks again Stefanie Cruz!
Mommypotamus via FB
Alrighty, it’s working now! Thanks again Stefanie Cruz!
Barbara Alger
This is beautiful, Heather. Too bad births were not photograhed like this when I had you!
Mommypotamus via FB
*her*
Karma Spirit via FB
so beautiful! the slideshow made me cry! <3
Whittney Bevington Hoyler via FB
Ahhhh! You are so sweet. It was a fabulous day and I love that breech girl.
Lydia`
I love your blog!!!