My first birth from start to finish. I learned more while attending this one birth in Fredericton, New Brunswick, than through all of the photography and doula training I have done. It started out as a home birth but ended in the hospital. And my client was absolutely incredible through it all.

*The description of this birth is from my perspective only*

I arrived at my Brittany’s home around 8:30 pm and she was in early labour. The midwife arrived soon after and we settled in to help mom through her contractions. For several hours contractions were consistent but she didn’t seem to be progressing. It was a long night, and eventually contractions slowed. During this time, the midwife broke her water in the hopes that she would start to progress.

As the sun rose and the water in the birthing tub cooled, it seems as though things were picking up. But after several more hours of no major change, Brittany and her husband decided to go to the hospital.

Through all of this my goal was to document the story of not just the baby’s birth but the experience of labour and the strength it takes. Brittany was calm and clear-headed. She wanted a home birth, but also knew that things don’t always go as planned. When she made the decision to transfer to the hospital, it was with some disappointment but confidence because she knew it was the right thing to do.

At the hospital, things didn’t pick up much quicker. It took time but with her own strength and the support of her husband and the amazing midwives, Brittany made the decisions she needed to ensure her baby’s safe delivery. And at 8:53pm, more than 24 hours after I arrived, baby boy Lucien James was born.

I tried to capture the story as best I could, from the quiet dark hours labouring at home to the anticipation at the hospital to the relief after Lucien arrived. I was in awe of the hospital staff working together with the midwives. But most of all I wanted to document Brittany’s incredible strength (I know, I use that word a lot but it’s the best way to describe it).

“(When I look at the pictures, I feel) happy, relieved. Even though some of the birth experience was stressful, you captured the most beautiful and wonderful parts.”

— Brittany

Birth is a rollercoaster, unpredictable and amazing. It’s hard. Brittany breathed through it, trusted her body and her support people. And that’s how birth should be.

I am honoured that I got to be there. And the one thing I discovered about myself through the experience is that I wanted to do more than tell the story through photos. I wanted to be able to support Brittany. I did what I could to give her space when she needed, to be there to give her husband small breaks. But I realized that in the future I want to do more. So that’s why I am now trained as a full spectrum birth doula in Fredericton. Along with Doulas NB, I am now able to provide support to birthing people and also document their birth experience.

Click here for more information on the birth services I offer and reach out to chat about your own plan for your birth experience. I would love to be a part of it.