Birth Photography, The Beginning...

Today I met with my first homebirth photography client and the midwives that will be helping her to birth her baby. 
I don't know about them, but I'm super excited about this opportunity!
Not only do I get to be a part of another homebirth team, I get to take pictures...another (and my first) passion.  Nothing beats that!
My old slr camera broke quite a few years ago.  I didn't want to buy a cheap version of what I wanted, so I just put off buying a new one.  I used a cheap digital camera (it was hard to get used to at first) and then I started using my phone.  I wasn't a doula and I was only taking pictures of my kids eating breakfast or making faces or wearing cute outfits. 
I needed a new camera...so I bought one.  Unfortunately, it hasn't been shipped yet.  Fortunately, the birth isn't (hopefully) for at least a couple more weeks.  I bought a Nikon D80 from Amazon.com.  I can barely stand waiting for it to arrive.  The UPS man is like Santa for grown ups. 

Obstetrician on C-secions in MA

I read this article only moments ago.  I'm still processing it.  I immediately posted it on my Facebook page.  I read this blog commenting on it.  I, too, am angry at what was written.  I also find it very informative. 
It wasn't too long ago that I was a doula for a birth that just about mirrored the birth described in the article.  Except these parents were not thrilled with the outcome.  They are indeed very much in love with their little love, but not with the experience. 
It simply amazes me that doctors, many who are parents themselves, can look at birth as they do...like a blind robot.  It's not as if they necessarily ignore what is front of them...they simply don't see it, process it, like the mother might be.  It's simply mechanical with a means to an end.  And that is all that matters. 

At a recent Las Vegas conference on obstetrical safety, some 125 members of the audience were asked to raise their hand to indicate their personal C-section rate. “Less than 15 percent?” the speaker asked. Two hands in the large auditorium went up. “Fifteen to 30 percent?” Half the hands were up. “More than 30 percent?” The rest. Then the speaker asked the room, “How many of you care?” No one raised a hand, and the room broke out in laughter.

I'd like to believe that someone would endure eight-plus years of schooling, long hours and sleepless nights to be able to help people.  These obstetricians who simply don't care aren't doing their job.  Sure, they care about the mother and baby coming out of the hospital safely...who doesn't?  However, "safely" is subjective, I suppose.

Is it safe to subject your patient, the mother, to depression or symptoms of PTSD?  In a study done
in Sweden, "76% of the moms in the study had experienced their delivery by emergency cesarean section as a traumatic event."
Additionally, in a study comparing the psychological effects of an emergency cesarean, planned cesarean, instrumental and normal vaginal deliveries.  Surprise, surprise - the psychological effects of an emergency cesarean and instrumental vaginal delivery "should be regarded as a pointer with respect to possible post-traumatic stress."
When inflicting this sort of trauma on a woman, why is it then okay to send her home with a newborn?  That same woman, who feels robbed, violated, hurt, angry, disillusioned, depressed, anxious, alone, unworthy, lacking and/or just plain wrong, is expected to be happy about her experience.  I'm probably crossing a line here, but it seems like obstetric rape. 

I birthed three babies vaginally.  I had pitocin and epidurals.  I did not feel like something was taken away from me because I didn't go into it with the thought that I had a right to anything else. 
With what I know now, I read articles like Dr. Wolfberg's and think, "gross."  It's just gross.  It makes me want to put on clean clothes.  It makes me want to yell at people.  It makes me cry for those it adversely affects.  It makes me hug my children tighter. 

I'm fortunate to have this information.  Thank you, Dr. Wolfberg.  I now have another article in my arsenal to present to mamas who want a natural childbirth experience, and steer them away from sterile, uncaring hospitals, and into the caring, colorful, loving arms of a homebirth circle, where she might stand a chance.
 
If you've time to read more, here's an article about a mother who was charged with child abuse for refusing a cesarean.  She and her baby were apart for three years while this case was being held in court. Never mind that the baby was birthed vaginally and was perfectly healthy...

A Homebirth Experience

I'm completely in love with homebirth.  I love attending any and all births...it's birth.  I just have a special place for homebirth.  Here is a lovely blog post on why one mama chose to birth at home. 


Cranberry Moms blog photo...look, it's me in the middle!



42 Weeks, 2 Days and My First Home Birth

I was privileged and deeply honoured to bear witness to such an amazingly strong mama birthing her 9lb (okay, it was an ounce less, but we'll give her the satisfaction of joining the 9lb'er club!) baby at home in water. 
I got the call that morning and she didn't sound too worried and she wasn't breathing like she was laboring hard.  I said I'd take a shower and eat some breakfast and be on my way.  She agreed and I got in gear.  I arrived at her house an hour and 15 minutes later.  The midwives were there and she was already in water.  By the way, it was the cutest kiddie pool, complete with frogs and turtles smiling at you.
Within an hour, the baby greeted us with such a full head of hair I was jealous of it. 
This was my first home birth.  It was amazingly perfect.  The momma was left to labor down in her own way.  No one told her to lie down or sit back.  No one told her when to push or how to push.  No one was counting or coaching.  Her worries and fears were quelled and her pain was validated.  There was quiet and comfort. 
I'm sure all home births are different.  I'm sure there are some that last days and there's moving and talking and all sorts of things that didn't happen in the hour of labor I was present for. 
No matter.  I am hooked on home birth. 

Homebirth

I am attending my first homebirth next month.  I can't even explain how excited I am.  And nervous.  I referred a client to a midwife friend of mine.  We've never worked together and she's a seasoned doula and midwife.  Comfortable and intimidating. 
It's already a different experience than with a hospital birth. 
I've attended the client's visits with the midwife.  I've listened to the sound of the heartbeat and the placenta with a fetoscope...YES, they make two different sounds.  Very cool. 
The appointments with a midwife take about an hour, depending on the depth of questions a patient might have or the concerns a midwife has.  Some appointments are at the client's home.  Others are held at the midwife's home office.  We have tea and sit on comfy couches. 
My client is hoping to have a water birth, or at least labor in a tub.  It's cute...she has a kiddie pool for it.  If you've never contemplated a homebirth, or a laboring/birthing tub, here are some questions and answers you might have.
How do you get the water in the tub?  Attach a hose to the kitchen/bathroom sink, washing machine or shower.  You'd probably want to buy a hose specifically for this, like this one, not using your potentially yucky garden hose.  If you need to use your garden hose, I'd recommend cleaning it out with a strong vinegar solution with hot water or a bleach and water solution, rinsing very thoroughly.  Regular garden hoses also might have chemicals or metals inside that may leech out.  You should read the package before buying.  Also, you'd need a hose-to-sink adapter, like this one or this one.
How do you get the water out of the tub?  A sump pump.  
How will we keep the water warm?  Remember those episodes of Little House on the Prairie where hot water was brought to the tub via a pot that had been boiled?  Yes.  Add hot water to the existing water.  Please don't add boiling water to the tub while mama is sitting in it...or if it's necessary, don't burn the woman.  You can add a pool thermometer  to make sure that the temp stays around 100%, so it does not keep mama too hot or cold. 
Please keep all children and pets away from the pool when filled. 
You might also want to do a dry run to make sure that everything works.  You don't want to be taking things out of packages while mama is in labor, waiting to take a dip, only to find out the adapter doesn't fit, there's a hole in the pool or the pump is faulty. 
I am not a midwife, or a doctor, so please discuss and review with your midwife.