Since photographing my first birth at the end of 2013, I’ve been pretty excited to find another family who was willing to allow me into their inner circle on their birthing day.  When I got a message from Cassie right after the holidays that she was due in just a few weeks, on January 16th,  I was beyond excited.  Cassie and her team were planning a peaceful homebirth with baby #2.   She shared her birth story of her first child with me, she was born at the local birth center, and after hearing Cassie's experience with baby #1, I knew that baby #2 would have an amazing birthing day and it would be amazing to photograph.  Cassie used Hypnobabies for her first birth and I’ve read such amazing birth stories from Hypnobabies use, that I was excited to see it in practice.  Let me tell you, I am a believer — Cassie had a fear free and very empowering, birth.

Cassie and I had planned to meet for a play date  with our kiddos prior to baby’s arrival, but we had to postpone our meeting.  When we postponed, I told Cassie that I just had the ‘vibe’ that she might birth coming this weekend, and I wanted to make sure she was still comfortable with me coming even if we hadn't met yet.  She was, and that was good for me because I got the call from her Sunday night at around 8pm that baby was coming that night or next morning.  She said that someone would give me a call when I needed to come and about 3 hours later, Cassie’s doula, Leila, called and said baby was on its way!  I got dressed, made tea, and put my gear in the car as I made the midnight drive to their home.  When I arrived at midnight, I could hear the moans of labor from inside and it sounded like baby was near.   Cassie was truly a birthing goddess and I was in awe of her strength and power.  Her husband was a pillar of support and strength, although Cassie had it all under control.  The midwives watched and checked her, but they stayed pretty hands off, because Cassie's body was doing what it was supposed to.   At 12:31 baby girl Lumen was born, surrounded by daughter Aster, grandmother and best friends.   She is beautiful and a lucky girl to be brought into this amazing family.  Here is the pictorial of her peaceful birth.

Cassie moaned through contractions, and talked or kissed during the break. It was empowering to watch.

12:24, baby started crowning!  Cassie pushed her out through the waves.

She was so calm. 

Everyone was excited! These girls had just traveled 6 hours in the car to see their friend give birth.  They didnt make a peep, just watched in awe.   This is the face of a mama peacefully birthing.

6 minutes after she was crowning, she was born.  12:31.  Caught by her mama <3.

Baby sister announcing the gender!  This was SO priceless and cute.   It went something like this; Mama to Aster, "do you want to tell us if you have a brother or sister", Aster looks for a sec, then innocently asks "is that a penis?"  Mama said, "nope."  Aster says, 'then its a vulva, a girl!!!'  And it was very exciting!   Can you see the recollection on her eyes on the photos below?

Joy all around!

Pure bliss!  Want to ready more?  Here is part 2 of baby Lumens birth, on the night she was born :)

If you'd like to talk more about your birthing day, please fill out the form below, we can chat, meet for coffee, or just talk on the phone.  I book 3-4 births per month, so please contact me asap for availability for your birth month!

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