water birth story at McKenzie-Willamette medical center
✨Birth Stories Are Love Stories✨
It was her second hospital birth and first time unmedicated. She was really hoping to have a water birth (something you can actually do at McKenzie-Willamette hospital with the Mckenzie Miwhich is pretty cool❣️).
The waves came on slowly and while much of it was easeful and joyful, in other moments the pain felt overwhelming. Feelings of doubt crept up. Tears flowed quietly. Throughout the entire journey, he stayed by her side with gentle encouragement and loving words of affirmation. It was evident to everyone who witnessed that they were in this together. Partners. Lovers. Best friends. Contractions became more intense and so they melted into one another. Everything else just faded into the background.
In the end, their sweet baby girl Zoë was born into their loving arms in a powerful, triumphant water birth. I had to hold back a few tears of my own as I watched the way they gazed at one another during their golden hour cuddles. She was so happy and he was just so proud. Together, their beautiful love had created new life. ❤️
Birth never ceases to amaze me. What an honor it is to be able to document these once-in-a-lifetime moments. For me, birth is the ultimate act of love. ✨
Photos by When a Belly Blooms Birth Photography
Rachel is an award-winning birth photographer located in Eugene, Oregon. When she’s not taking pictures of babies being born she’s hanging out with her own babies, husband, dogs, cat, and two frisky pygmy goats.
