Ten Years of Documenting Births!

{birth stories}

Two days ago I celebrated 10 years of documenting births!! And honestly, never ever in a million years did I think that I would go on to be a birth photographer/videographer who is getting close to documenting 100 births! After all, 10 years ago I was just heading to India to continue documenting the relationship between wildlife and humans which I had been doing on my travels around the world (I am slowly working on getting those photos up here: Projects).
However, after our trip to India, I learned that we were going to have a baby. So naturally the whole experience of having a baby of my own opened up a whole new world to me with new passions. These passions led me down a path to the birth world where I knew women were in need of a voice, and support, and sometimes healing. So here I am, 10 years later still working hard to help normalize birth and heal wounds. With the help of these wonderful families who invite me in to their sacred spaces, who allow me to share their stories with you, I can assure you there has been change!
When I first started doing this, it was unheard of! Other than midwives being super supportive and excited about what I was doing, there was mostly confusion as to why anyone would want this experience documented, and a lot of concerned staff that were not that welcoming towards me as they were worried I was documenting them working. But after building relationships with hospital staff, and with some education from all sides, here we are 10 years later and now birth photography has become quite popular! I’m even welcomed in the O.R for c-sections most of the time!!
We still have a long way to go to make sure pregnant, birthing, and postpartum folks are respected and heard, so I don’t imagine I will be quitting this type of photography any time soon. But in celebration of this milestone, let me share with you, some gorgeous loving births to watch! Maybe check the flyers of your local stores for sales on boxes of tissue before you start pressing play, ha ha ha! Enjoy! And feel free to share this with all the expecting parents you know!

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Good Morning Wilder

This little gem was born bright and early on a quiet Sunday morning in December at Toronto's Birth Centre. It was so perfect. Second babies are so unpredictable and can go from little action to crazy action real fast! So when I got the call that this couple was headed to the birth centre "just to get checked", I started getting ready too. And even though they said to wait for the call, I knew that second babies don't wait for anyone, so I headed to the birth centre. Upon arriving, this mama was in very active labour and within half hour, baby was here! Talk about perfect timing!! Just look at this mama! These 4 pictures below were taken in a matter of a minute! What an insane amount of emotions! Witnessing this moment is like nothing else. The fierceness, the shock, the relief, and the joy! This is birth. And I seriously can't get enough of it! 

The other thing about second babies is they create siblings! I remember that feeling when I had my second daughter and I felt weirdly guilty because I was afraid my first daughter was sacrificing part of her childhood, or missing out on mom time. But the truth is, when you see them meet, it's magical! You know right then that you actually just gifted them something HUGE! A sibling is a relationship like no other.

And big sister Alma was right there to lend a helping hand. When she saw her brother it was love at first site! She asked some good questions, she helped feed mom, and dress baby brother. She even helped with the placenta tour. I love how in to the placenta she was. She was right in there leading the tour by the end! She's clearly a midwife in the making. She helped in every way possible, and it was adorable. 

You can see it all here in my first ever photo with video mini documentary! Learning about video this past year has been worth all the sweat and tears because from now on, my birth package includes a mini documentary like this one below. So grab some tissues and press play! And then visit my birth gallery for more!!

Welcome Zen Everest

Born at 11:59pm on February 11th 2015 at the Toronto Birth Centre.

Now this Mama did her homework and took full control of her birth! It was empowering! She found her control, her focus, and held on to it. As she focused on climbing Everest she had no idea that her baby would soon wear that name! Her support team was just incredible. SO much love. Look at her partner holding her, caring for her and then skin to skin with baby Zen while mum showers. It was a very powerful birth to be present for. I love how many people were in the room for this special moment! And that the baby's Aunt caught him as he came out, being the first person to place their hands on Zen. It was at the Toronto Birth Centre, where you have more freedom and choices, which means, she could have her whole support team with her and birth as she wanted! And she did! 

Please watch the full slideshow at the end of this post.

This moment was amazing. After getting over a big hurdle, this was the very moment the midwife said, "I feel his hair! It's time to push"! And I think it must have been 15 or 20 minutes later and baby was here! 

THAT moment!! Just seconds after birth! THE BEST!!

Just finished his medical checkup with the midwives and now he's thinking it's time for milk!

All tuckered out and snuggled with Dad.

Sooooooooo much love! 

If you are considering having your birth documented, please check out my gallery and contact me if you would like package options and prices along with my FAQ's about birth photography.
www.heatherbays.com/birth

Update: Check out, Life at Nine Days Old to see photos of Zen and his family a week and a half after his birth!