2018 Birth Stories

“I do not care what kind of birth you have…a home birth, scheduled cesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer. I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected.” – January Harshe

From my local hospital in Chilliwack, to BC Women’s in Burnaby, I had the honour of documenting 9 amazing women birth their healthy babies in 2018. What an incredible year it was, and I’m left feeling inspired by the raw strength of women, and the power of unwavering love and support.

Birth Stories always make me cry. They are charged with so much emotion and vulnerability, and each woman is so incredible in her own fiercely gentle way. There is nothing more empowering than witnessing a woman trust her intuition, stand strong for her beliefs, and be supported in doing so. When partners, family members, friends, midwifes, nurses, doctors, and doulas respect and listen to a mother, they help her claim her birth, however that may look. And that’s magic.

Balancing on-call life with a growing family is challenging at times, but it’s always worth it. Every Birth Story hits me right in the heart, and delivering them to my clients is one of my greatest joys. I so look forward to the families and stories I’ll be capturing in 2019, and to all my families of 2018, thank you.

Mother labouring at Chilliwack General Hospital, supported by husband and mom. Midwife observes mother holding hands with her husband while birthing at home in water. Labouring mother at BC Women's Hospital waiting for her epidural with her husband. Doula applies counter pressure to labouring mother using nitrous oxide for pain management. Anesthesiologist prepares mother for epidural at BC Women's Hospital. Midwife pours water over birthing mother's belly as she labours in her birth pool at home. Midwife watches as mother pushes during contraction in her birthing pool at home with husband. Mother relaxes between contractions with a cold cloth to her forehead at Royal Columbian. Midwife, husband, and mother encourage woman working through a contraction in her birthing pool at home. Woman is relieved after the safe birth of her healthy son at Royal Columbian Hospital. Woman and husband share intimate moment during a break in contractions at their home birth. Mother labouring with TENS machine at BC Women's Hospital Doula supports labouring mother as she contracts in the shower at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. Mother supporting her daughter during home water birth in Chilliwack. Baby's head is birthed vaginally with amniotic fluid, assisted by gentle doctor. Newborn baby is placed on mother's chest, seconds after being birthed at BC Women's Hospital. Woman rejoices over the safe arrival of her third baby and first daughter. Parents overflow with love for the newborn son at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. Mother holds her newborn son, safely born in the water at home. Midwife puts newborn on mother after her safe birth at home. Mother and father welcome their firstborn daughter after a safe water birth at home in Surrey.