“I wept watching this amazing, anointed slide show you did. SO amazing! Incredibly tasteful, and sensitively, artistically done. The music, the talking, at particular parts was just perfect! I cannot tell you how much I appreciated you as a person, doula and artist. You are such a wonderful woman and you will be remembered with great love and respect in our family. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being such an integral, wonderful part of something so powerful in all our lives.” First time Grandmother
Today we went downtown Vancouver, in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, to have a flashmob. We were all out to support our BC midwives, which are covered by MSP in BC and can deliver babies both at home and in hospitals!!!! I of course didn’t dance, instead I snapped photo’s and enjoyed the spirit. I had midwives with all three of my births and would never have done it any other way.
The force seems to be with this wee lad. He was born tipping the scales at 12 lbs 8 oz!! Welcome to the world my friend. I really feel so special getting to spend the first few hours with you and your great family. Who will need to start going to the gym!
Yesterday this lovely family brought a new little man into this world. He came out peacefully surrounded by lots of love and attention, grandma was even present for his birth! This first picture is just moments after he was born, already so alert and ready to be part of this world. Welcome baby K and congratulations N and C for creating such a beautiful child. You are going to be great parents.
“There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it.” ~ Sheryl Feldman
Welcome to the world Florence. You are such a lucky girl to have such a great loving family – and a mama with excellent taste!
Mandai, the baby catcher, and myself spent the afternoon cruising through Strathcona finding doorways to show off her bump. Here are a few selections from todays session.
You can find more on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vancouverbirthdoula.
This is my little friend Eric Raine. He was born two week’s ago on St. Patrick’s Day, I was his doula and birth photographer. Today I got to snuggle him and take some more pictures. He is such a sweet guy and quite the looker! Here are some of the images so you can enjoy him too!
This little boy entered the world one day after his mother’s birthday. It was a close call, in the end he decided he wanted two days worth of cake and was born on St. Patrick’s Day instead! Smart boy.
I offer my clients to have a slideshow of the images from their birth. I get my clients to pick the music then I edit the images together to create a lasting memory that they will be able to look at for years to come. My families love this keepsake and feel it is always a perfect representation of their birth. Note this slideshow is 100% PG.
This great family has offered for me to share their story with you. This wonderful mama had a unmedicated birth, which she did with such strength and beauty. Attended by the amazing Dawn Henderson, midwife, as well as Melinda my doula mentoree. Thank you Mary, Kon and Sarah for sharing your amazing journey with us all.
Once the video starts on the bottom of the player select the symbol that looks like a gear and select 720p, this is the quality setting and it is very important for image quality.
If you are interested in having your birth photographed, I have a private gallery with more examples of my work. Please email me at moraghastings@gmail.com or call 778-836-6736
Hey would-be moms, eager to pick up the pace of your delivery? One piece of advice: don't lie down. Researchers report in today's Cochrane Review that women who knelt, sat or walked around during the early stages of labor instead of lying in bed
Today I had a massage at Pomegranate Community Midwives with Kashka. It was amazing, I highly recommend going. Call and make an appointment- treat yourself you deserve it. :)
Great post on hiring a doula by local Vancouver doula Elodie, complete with photos from another local doula and birth photographer, Apple Blossom Families Birth Photographer and Doula Vancouver BC :
Preparing for baby: hiring a doula May 8, 2012 by Elodie | 3 Comments When I had my first baby, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Although I come from a medical family (both my mom and grandma are nurses and there are quite a few doctors amongst my relatives…), and I had ...
People out to support the BC Midwives today doing a flash mob at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I have made another album for the before and after shots. Please feel free to tag yourself. I also Heart Midwives, I had the wonderful support of Vancouver Midwives with all 3 of my births.
This is the pre and post pictures of the people out to support the BC Midwives today. I have made another album for just dancing. Please feel free to tag yourself. I also Heart Midwives, I had the wonderful support of Vancouver Midwives with all 3 of my kids births.
May the fourth be with you my friend. The force seems to be with this wee lad. He was born tipping the scales at 12 lbs 8 oz!! Welcome to the world my friend. I really feel so special getting to spend your first few hours with you and your great family. (Who might need to start going to the gym!)
EVC's have helped a few of my clients babies turn! Thanks to the Power to Push Campaign and Best Birth Clinic. This is a great photo documentation showing how it all goes down.
Follow this Mom's trip to her EVC appointment at the Best Birth Clinic!
By 36 weeks of pregnancy, most babies are positioned head-down in the uterus. This is the normal position for birth. However, 3-4% will remain head-up in the uterus. This is called a breech position.
It may be possible to turn your baby into the head-down position before birth, allowing you to have a normal vaginal birth. This is done with a procedure called External Cephalic Version, or ECV.
With ECV, an experienced maternity care provider will apply pressure with his or her hands on your abdomen and try to help turn the baby in a somersault, using pushing or lifting movements.
If an External Cephalic Version is not successful in turning the baby to a head-down position, you may have the option of planning for a vaginal breech birth if you wish.
ECV is offered by obstetricians at the Best Birth Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre.
The Best Birth Clinic schedules appointments with women who are at least 34 weeks into their pregnancy with a breech baby. Your first appointment will help you learn about all your options for a breech baby, including ECV. If you decide to have the ECV procedure, you will return for a second appointment.
Your doctor or midwife can refer you to the Best Birth Clinic, or you can call the clinic directly if you prefer. Women who live outside Vancouver are also welcome to book an appointment.
Contact the Best Birth Clinic at 604‑875‑2424, extension 6387.
Couple's Pregnancy and Birth Preparation Yoga Workshop on May 22nd with Lynette Stockner! Have you noticed your baby's due date is getting closer? This workshop is a powerful way to prepare as you anticipate the arrival of your baby: connect with each other with partner yoga poses, experience yoga poses that will be useful during your labour, practice vocalizing and toning, and learn breathing techniques that can guide you through contractions and pushing. For more info www.SageYoga.ca
Oooh one last post before I sign off to get organized to leave tomorrow.... BEAUTIFUL hospital water birth photos by our LOCAL Apple Blossom Families Birth Photographer and Doula Vancouver BC :-)
Here are some images from a great water birth at BC Woman's Hospital that I photographed earlier this month. The human body still amazes me every time I witness a birth. 1/3 Click to the right to see 2 more sets.
Here are some images from a great water birth at BC Woman's Hospital that I photographed earlier this month. The human body still amazes me every time I witness a birth. 1/3 Click to the right to see 2 more sets.
Here are some images from a great water birth at BC Woman's Hospital that I photographed earlier this month. The human body still amazes me every time I witness a birth. 2/3
Here are some images from a great water birth at BC Woman's Hospital that I photographed earlier this month. The human body still amazes me every time I witness a birth. 3/3