I have a strong passion for natural childbirth, having birthed both my girls naturally, with midwives and doulas for support through those amazing experiences.

My passion for natural birth grew when I was pregnant with my first daughter. During that time, I researched and studied what natural birth would take and why women would go this route.

After my first daughter was born, I read all the books on how to become a doula. What with raising young children, buying and remodeling a home, and being super busy with photography, I barely have time to write this blog post, noless become a doula. But’s it’s still a dream of mine.

I’ve had the amazing experience of being at friends’ natural home births and hospital births, as well as helping my sister birth both her girls naturally.

Jenn’s Natural Birth Adventure

My girlfriend, Jenn, gave me permission to blog about her experience, which really takes the cake and deepens my passion for natural birthing. (Although, after reading this story, some women might not want to have their babies this way.)

Jenn is a dear friend who has been super-interested in how I birthed my girls. She got pregnant with her third child nine weeks after I did, and she asked for my support in trying the natural route this time.

She kept me posted every step of the way during the early stages of labor, and I gave her tips and assured her that what she was experiencing was completely normal.

In Labor

One Saturday in August, Jenn called and texted me about the extreme back labor she was having. I assured her that when it kicks in to real labor, she would know. That it did, but not until Sunday night.

Her husband had been offered a job and had left Sunday morning to go to Alaska. Knowing he would miss the birth, Jenn needed my support more than ever. I told her I would stay with her so she would have someone to drive her to hospital when the time came.

All day her contractions were not super-consistent, so I felt confident that she’d give birth during that night or early the next morning. I came prepared with my essential oils that I’d used myself, and had a very fast second labor: 1 hour, 15 minutes. I generously applied Clary Sage on her ankles and abdomen, and within in an hour she was clearing to the point of saying, “Get me to the hospital.”

Our plan had been that I would take some beautiful photos at the birth for Jenn and her husband to enjoy… this is a new trend (watch for my next blog post, where I’ll share birthing photos).

We literally jumped into my car and raced to the hospital with my 6-week-old baby in tow, and my camera, ready to photograph the birth. I knew she would have her beautiful girl very soon after arriving at the hospital.

I just didn’t know HOW soon!

We pulled up to emergency entrance. I parked the car and got Jenn out. She said she couldn’t walk because she was having a contraction that very moment.

I ran inside to grab a wheelchair and assistance, which took less than a minute.

As I sprinted back through the sliding doors, I saw Jenn, standing next to my car, holding her baby.

I have never had such a heart-wrenching feeling of fright. “Oh my gosh; my friend delivered her own baby while standing next to my car!”

Thankfully, everything was great and Jenn was so happy to have achieved her goal of doing a birth natural (although I’m sure this scenario was not exactly what she had planned).

Obviously, I wasn’t able to take birthing photos, but here are some I took during Jenn’s pregnancy, the day after she gave birth, and one month later.

These two beauties are absolutely stunning! Wouldn’t you agree?

To see more maternity and family shoots, see Bumps are in Bloom (slideshow) or Babies & Families page.

Contact Angela to book your maternity or birthing photo shoot.

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Maternity & Newborn Photoshoot

Click on each photo to see larger image.