the birth of caelum august :: northern virginia home birth photographer

Sometimes when I’m looking for the words to say about a birth, I sit with my fingers hovering over the keyboard trying to think of the right words. How do I introduce something this powerful? I want to talk about the way that Jason loved and supported Amber, the way the midwives were patient and honoring of mom’s process, the way that baby was completely respected and cared for with such gentleness…but words do not seem adequate. Perhaps that is why I tell birth stories with imagery. At some point, words fail.

So I invite you to watch. But first – grab a tissue. This is a story about a powerful mom delivering her baby, surrounded by love and support and at times a gentle nudge in the direction she needed to go. This baby came into the world with only his mother’s hand on him. I can’t even begin to tell you how powerful it is to witness that, in the midst of a birth culture that treats birth as something that doctors do to women, rather than something a woman does herself in partnership with her baby.

But enough words – see for yourself.

{HUGE shout out to Tammi McKinley and Katy Vega with Northern Virginia Midwifery, and doula Lindsey Vick for the beautiful and inspiring way they supported Amber through this birth }