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"I was in love from the moment I saw him in a way I couldn't even begin to describe." -Katie
This is a little different then my usual "birth story", but this is a story about a woman becoming a mother just like all my other stories. Katie is a military spouse, and she is also my friend. I actually met Katie right after she moved to Alaska. She bought a dresser I had refinished off a yard sale page. When she came to get it we struck up a conversation, and I'm pretty sure I held her hostage on my porch for at least 45 minutes. We became fast friends and she is one of the sweetest people I have ever known. Last spring Katie came over to my house to share some exciting news. Her and her husband Ben had found out they were finally expecting again. She knew Ben would be deployed for the birth so she asked if I would support her and be her doula. Of course I said "YES!", and was over the moon for her. Shortly after that Katie found out she had an ectopic pregnancy, and actually had to have surgery to remove her fallopian tube. She was devastated and of course heart broken. I was heart broken for her. After her loss Katie and Ben decided that they were ready to move forward in their pursuit to adopt. Katie had always had it in her heart to adopt, but now she felt ready and led to. On November 20th, around 4pm I got a phone call from Katie. She said she had just received news that a birth mother had chosen her family, and that she had 6 hours until she would be holding her baby in her arms. I was in total shock, so I can only imagine how she felt. Katie said she felt like she did when she was in labor with her son. She was excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time. I asked her what she needed to get ready, and what I could do to help her. She asked if I could come take pictures at the airport of them meeting for the first time. Again I said, "YES!" Of course I wanted to be there! I told her I would be her adoption doula...whatever that meant! I met Katie, her son, and a couple of her girlfriends at the airport. They were all anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new baby. Katie FaceTime'd with her husband Ben, who was deployed, and talked to her son about how he was going to be a big brother. The social worker came and they discussed the process, and how things would be done. Then the time finally came. The plane had landed. Katie finally got to meet her son. When she held him in her arms you could just see her heart expanding, and the love she had for her children multiplying. What an amazing moment. Getting to see a mother meet her son for the first time. Katie and Ben both looked at their son, and decided he would be their Peter. A name they had been waiting and wanting to use for a son. The baby they had lost would have been due right about the same time Peter was born. Katie's due date was Nov 21st, Peter was born Nov. 18th, and she got to bring him home Nov. 20th. I don't know how much more clear the universe could have made it that Peter was born to be theirs. Thank you Katie for letting me share a little snippet of your story. I know so many women and families have dealt with the pain of loss, and will be inspired by your story of love and strength. Peter is so lucky to have a family like yours. You are as much of a blessing to him as he is to you. Stay tuned for a lifestyle session and more pictures of Katie and baby Peter!
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“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” ~ Laura Stavoe Harm
My job allows me to see women when they are at their most vulnerable moments, and their most powerful. Veronica is absolutely a powerful and strong woman. She brought her baby into this world with beauty, strength, and determination. I met Veronica and Chad a couple of months ago while they were looking for support for the birth of their second child. I loved them both immediately! Chad had me cracking up, and was making bad jokes from the moment I met him. We got along GREAT since I also like telling bad jokes. Veronica said they needed a doula mostly for Chad, which turned out to be completely true. That guy didn't even know his way around a rebozo! (Insert bad doula humor) During our first meetings we talked about how I could best support them both, and we also discussed fears and concerns. Veronica had some complications early in her pregnancy so of course she had concerns for her baby and her birth. We discussed those concerns, and talked about how her body had grown this perfectly healthy baby despite complications, and that her body wouldn't fail her now. Veronica was scheduled to be induced due to those medical concerns. I joined her and Chad at the hospital around 8:30am for her induction. They had already started Veronica on pitocin before I arrived, and she was ready to get things moving. She wanted to walk, walk, walk, and walk we did! We spent the first couple of hours chatting, walking, and joking. Veronica's provider came to check in on her, and wanted to see if she had made any progress. Her Dr. talked about breaking Veronica's bag of water to help move things along. We discussed risks and benefits of breaking her water at that point. Veronica decided she wasn't ready, and let her Dr. know her wishes. After her check we were informed that she had already made great progress with only a few hours of pitocin and light contractions. Almost immediately after Veronica got up out of bed her contractions started coming very quickly and much stronger. She felt like walking some more so we kept going. Only now we were stopping to work through each contraction. Eventually Veronica felt like she couldn't keep walking through her contractions so we returned to her room. I suggested we try to get in the shower to offer some additional comfort. The shower was relaxing and helping Veronica, but she needed an abdominal lift during each contraction to be able to work through them. That meant I got to hop in the shower with her while Chad continued to spray warm water on her back. After about an hour in the shower Veronica said she was starting to feel a lot of pressure. Her provider was back to check on her, and Veronica said she was really starting to feel more pressure at that point. He checked her and she was dilated to 9.5cm. No time to change out of my wet clothes! Veronica's provider offered to break her water, and she began to push. I reminded her to keep pushing with her body's natural urges. After about 30 minutes of pushing Veronica welcomed her sweet baby boy into her arms at 2:49pm. After only 4 hours of active labor, and 8 hours from the start of her induction. Seeing a mother meet her baby for the first time never gets old. A moment met with so much anticipation, so much excitement, and so much love. This meeting was especially sweet. Veronica had of course been concerned about the health and safety of Graham, and now here he was. Healthy, crying, perfect, and pink. The worry melted away and was replaced with so much love and joy. I always feel honored to be invited in to witness these extraordinary moments. I get to see all those first moments, the way a husband looks at his wife misty eye'd while she's bringing his child into this world, and watching a family's love grow. Thank you Veronica and Chad for allowing me to be a part of your birth story. For those of you following along here is part 2 of baby Lela's story. Her daddy finally got to meet her! After being deployed and missing the birth of his daughter, Jordan finally made it home.
Jennifer invited me to finish this journey with her, and capture this homecoming. I met Jennifer, her mother in law, and three children at the airport. I think we were all excited, and even a little anxious. Then we finally saw Jordan come around the corner. How EXCITING! The boys ran to get their hugs. Then baby Lela got to be held in her daddy's arms for the first time. What a sweet moment. I felt so blessed to get to be a bystander in this beautiful story, and to see everyone reunited. Welcome home JORDAN! Thank you for your service and sacrifice. What a beautiful family you have. Being a military spouse myself, this birth really hit home for me. I met Jennifer in July after she had contacted me about my doula services. Her husband Jordan was deployed, and would be for the birth of their 3rd child. We found out our children went to school together, and that she only lived a few minutes from my house.
We moved forward with our prenatal meetings discussing birth options, logistics, and where the kids would be headed when the time came. It was fun getting to see Jennifer at running club and school pick ups between meetings. I was excited to have a client I would get to see her regularly even after her birth. Around 6pm on Sept, 25th Jennifer let me know she had had a prenatal appointment that afternoon. She was already 4cm and had been contracting irregularly. Around 9pm she let me know things had slowed down a bit. I encouraged her to eat a good snack, get some rest, and I said I would be on high alert for her. Around 12am Jennifer text and said she was pretty sure her waters had released, but her contractions were still pretty irregular. I let her know that I was going to go ahead and get dressed then head her way. Since this was her 3rd baby, and she was already dilated to 4cm I knew things might move quickly. I met Jennifer at her house and helped her get her boys loaded up and off to a friends house. As soon as they were gone I watched her through a contraction. She barely slowed down, just stopping for the peak, but said she was feeling a lot of pressure. We both agreed it was time to head in to the hospital. We grabbed her bags and loaded her into my truck. As soon we started driving Jennifer felt even more pressure. I reassured her we only had a short drive to the hospital, and that babies generally take some time, and effort to be born. Jennifer kept trying to contact her husband between contractions, but he wasn't answering. We quickly made it to the gate to get on base. I said, "Only a few more minutes! We're almost there!" We got to the gate and it was CLOSED! I think we both had a mild panic attack. I stopped the truck and asked Jennifer if she wanted to try to make it to the next gate, or if we needed to call an ambulance. She said, "I don't want to have a baby in a parking lot!" So I drove as quickly as I could to the next exit. When we got closer we saw orange cones and a 'Road Closed' sign. There was a construction worker standing near the exit. I stopped, rolled down my window and yelled, "We need to take this exit!" He said, "Sorry the exit is closed." Then Jennifer yelled, "I'm having a baby NOW, and I HAVE to get to the hospital!" I think we scared the poor man, but he waved us on. I breathed a sigh of relief and we quickly made it to the gate. We finally made it to the JBER hospital. Hallelujah! I dropped Jennifer off at the emergency room entrance and parked. I ran inside to follow her down to labor and delivery. We were greeted by the sweet nurses, and they quickly got us into a room. Jennifer was fully dilated and starting to feel the urge to push. She asked me for her phone and she tried calling her husband one last time. HE ANSWERED! Jennifer finally felt like she was safe to have her baby now. Her children were being cared for by a friend, we finally made it to the hospital, and she had her husband on the phone. A few pushes later and her baby girl was here. What a bitter sweet moment. Welcoming a new soul into the world, and a father that had to experience it a half a world away. I am so thankful for the technology we have to connect us, but a reminder of all the things our service men and women sacrifice for us everyday. They miss holidays, anniversaries, graduations, milestones, and even birthdays like this. Jennifer absolutely left me in awe. What strength this woman possess. She never faltered, she never broke down, and she did everything with such grace. I think she accomplished more while she was in labor then I do in a week. She listed off to me all of the things she had gotten done; packed bags, packed lunches, made beds, went grocery shopping, went to cub scouts, and the list continued! Women are strong. We have a strength that is deep within us, and when necessary we let it out like a fire. One of the best parts of my job is getting the opportunity to see a woman's true strength. It inspires me to be strong, and to remind every woman about the fire that resides in each of us. My beautiful( Isn't she just gorgeous!) friend Jess was my first official doula client here in Alaska. Where do I start with this one, from the beginning right? I first met Jess after I had seen her post looking for a doula on a local VBAC support page. I hadn't started taking clients since having my own daughter, but I felt the need to respond to her. We met, and I think it was love at first sight. I got to know her, and fell in love with her little family. When the day came I supported her through the birth of her son.
When Jess told me they were expecting their 3rd child I was over the moon excited. She is such a beautiful person inside and out, and I couldn't wait to walk next to her again. Like most mothers she was apprehensive and worried if she could, "do this again." We talked about how each birth is different, and how well supported she would be. On a Monday afternoon I got a message from Jess's husband Will, letting the team know Jess had been having some light contractions. Around 8:30pm contractions were still light, but Jess thought her waters had released. I encouraged her to rest if she could, and grab a snack. Around 1:30am Will let us know contractions were much stronger now. I got up and headed to their home. When I arrived Jess was in the bathtub working hard through contractions. I watched her through one, and noticed she was doing a little spontaneous pushing at the peak. Her midwife Kate was luckily right outside. We got the birth pool filling with water, and I reminded Jess about what a wonderful job she was doing. As soon as the birth pool was filled up we quickly got Jess into it. Her urge to push was very strong at this point, and she was bearing down through each contraction. I am always amazed at a woman's strength when she's bringing her baby earth side. Around 3am a sweet baby boy was welcomed into the arms of his amazing mama, surrounded by people that loved and believed in them both. Another beautiful birth! I know I say it all the time, but I really do have the best job in the world. Jesica contacted me about doula support for the birth of her second baby girl. Her first birth ended in a cesarean, and she was really hoping to have a VBAC this time. I LOVE supporting VBAC moms. Being a VBAC mom myself I know what that desire to have a vaginal birth feels like, and I know it can feel like an uphill battle. Shortly after our first visit I got a text from Jesica around 10am saying she thought she was possibly in early labor. I told Jesica to rest if she could, and that I would have my phone near by if she needed me. Jesica was just shy of 38 weeks, so I thought it could just be some warm up contractions. It had been a few hours since I had heard from Jesica, but I decided to take a nap just in case. Around 3:00 I got a call from Adam, asking me to join him and Jesica at their home. When I arrived I watched Jesica through a contraction. I could tell she was definitely in active labor. I applied counter pressure through her next contraction, and she said that felt SOOO much better! We moved into the bathroom and Jesica said she was feeling a lot of pressure. I suggested maybe it was time to start thinking about packing up and slowly making our way out the door. Jesica said ok, but after a couple more contractions she said it was time to go NOW! We all moved quickly to the car, and had a short drive to the hospital. I sent Adam in ahead of us to let the staff know we were coming. Jesica and I walked slowly from the parking lot making our way inside. Stopping to work through each contraction together. As soon as we made it into L&D we were put in a room. Jesica had the urge to push about 10 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. She felt best standing and squatting with each urge to bear down. I held on to Jesica and supported her through each squat (I am so thankful my coach makes me squat so much at the gym!), and quietly reminded her to keep following her body...it knew what to do. Her midwives were laying on the floor coaching her through crowning. They never once asked Jesica to move for their comfort, and I LOVED them for that! They asked Jesica to breath through her next couple of contractions to allow her body time to stretch and open. This was really hard for her with an overwhelming urge to bear down. As soon as the midwives gave the ok to push again; baby Olivia joined us earth side. She was immediately lifted up and placed in her mothers arms. I don't think I've ever seen a dad with a bigger smile on his face! Adam looked like the proudest dad and husband.
I know I was a proud doula! Seeing a mother meet her baby for the first time, doing it her way, and being supported by an amazing team is my dream come true. Jesica birthed her baby with strength, love, beauty, and determination. You cannot understand the power of a birthing woman until you hold her in your arms and feel it. It's raw power. Physical strength, emotional strength, and spiritual strength. I hope Jesica feels as strong as she is. My first official blog post! I can't you wait to share all of these beautiful stories with
you all! I met Claire at an Alaska Birth Collective event early this spring. She was of course sweet, and we immediately connected on our mutual love for refinishing furniture, and both having spouses that were active duty. Claire decided to hire me to photograph her birth. YAY! I met with her and her husband Joe to discuss their plans, and to make sure I knew what parts of their birth they wanted to capture. Joe is a straight shooter, and he will tell it like it is. He definitely had me cracking up with all of his stories. During the weeks leading to her birth Claire and I stayed in touch with lots of nice, usually very long, chats. I'm pretty sure if you locked the two of us in a room together we would never run out of things to talk about! On Wednesday, May 31st around 9:30 am I got a message from Claire letting me know she had been having some contractions that morning, and that she would keep me updated on any progression. She told me she had a prenatal appointment at 11, so she would let me know what the verdict was after that. About 30 minutes later I received another text message from Claire letting me know her water had broken. By 11:30 her contractions were already under 4 minutes apart, and they were heading into the birth center. I was supporting another laboring mom during this time so I had a mild, silent, panic attack. Luckily my beautiful doula friend Shanna Switzer "Alaska Birth Doula" was available, and happy to come take over support for me so I could photograph Claire's birth. As I walked into the birth room I immediately knew things were moving very quickly. Claire was bearing down through each contraction. The mood was light, everyone was smiling, and very excited to be welcoming a sweet new soul into the world. About 30 minutes after my arrival baby Jaxson was welcomed into the hands of his father. I love seeing the look on a new fathers face, over come with emotion. You can see a deep new sense of love and protection for his family growing. The look of pure joy on a mothers face when she meets her baby for the first time. So deep in love after mere moments. These are things I never tire of, and do my best to capture. |
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