Posts tagged cesarean birth
Cesarean Birth Awareness
Cesarean Birth Awareness

Whenever we talk about cesarean birth, you'll find a common theme in our language: Cesarean birth is birth. We believe this value is important to acknowledge in order to promote and protect the dignity and respect of each and every person who experiences a cesarean birth, whether elective, emergency, or anything otherwise. We envision a world where birth institutions honor informed choice, birth values, and promoting gentle, family-centered cesarean births. Read along with us as we delve deeper into cesarean awareness & share beautiful images of belly births!

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Preparing for BirthShay Gabrielcesarean birth plan, cesarean birth, cesarean awareness, cesarean, c-section, cesarean birth photography, belly birth, Birth Photography, birth doula, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids birth, grand rapids birth photography, Grand Rapids Birth Photographer, doula love, birth rights, informational support, informed consent, informed choice, childbirth education, childbirth, gentle birth, gentle cesarean, hospital birth Comment
Using your “BRAIN” to inform decisions in Labor // Cesarean, Thrice Denied

I have been talked through transferring to the OR for cesarean. I have uttered those familiar words, "Whatever it takes to get my baby here safely" and meant them with every fiber of my being. I had a very long labor at home during what was a planned homebirth. After a few days of laboring with a stuck baby (her chin wouldn't tuck, and I was lingering at about 8/9cm dilated), I opted for an epidural at the hospital in order to get some rest. I knew that an epidural would likely mean Pitocin, and that I was risking a cascade of interventions. But I felt confident in my decision to transfer to the hospital and medically intervene. Little did I know, I would be talked through cesarean 3 times in the next 9 hours.

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Birth Stories, Preparing for BirthShay Gabrielcesarean birth, informed choice, informed consent, childbirth, birth story, birth, Birth Photography, birth prep, gentle birth, empowered birth, birth team, doula support, birth doula, grand rapids birth, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids doula, grand rapids birth photography, BRAIN, Shay Comment
The Value of Birth Photography | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer + Doula
The Value of Birth Photography | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer + Doula

I’m coming up on 3 years since photographing a birth for the first time and have been reflecting recently about the value of birth photography. It has been such a privilege to offer such a unique and important service to women in the Grand Rapids area, and I wanted to share a few reasons why I think birth photography is so valuable.

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Birth StoriesAnnica QuakenbushAnnica Marie Photography + Doulabirth photography, birth, photography, Grand Rapids Birth Photographer, Grand Rapids doula, doula, doula support, doula care, birth doula, cesarean birth, unmedicated birth, natural birth, Birth Photography Comment
Your Birth Team Matters | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer
Your Birth Team Matters | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer

Don’t get me wrong, I do think that the process of making a birth plan is valuable. But your birth team matters more.

Find a doula who you trust…and then trust her knowledge of local providers.

With a doula and a clinical provider that you are really confident will support you, you will be set up the best you can be for the unknowns of your individual birth experience. Your birth team matters more than your birth plan.

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Preparing for BirthAnnica Quakenbushdoula, doula support, doula care, birth team, birth, birth photographer, birth photography, west michigan birth, grand rapids birth, grand rapids doula, birth doula, labor, delivery, OB, midwife, midwifery, hospital birth, homebirth, Grand Rapids doula, natural birth, physiologic birth, birth plan, birth preferences, plan, cesarean birth plan, cesarean birth Comment