National Midwifery Week 2019

It is 2019’s National Midwifery Week (#NMW2019) and I have spent the last several days looking through some of the most incredible images of midwives walking the journey with birthing families. Reading some of the most empowering, ovary-throbbing and tear-jerking birth stories you could imagine.

“WITH WOMAN” / MID-WIFE

I believe that it takes a unique soul to be called to this profession. To spend countless hours studying the physiology of birth, researching and learning about how the body works and the best ways to support it during the process. To commit to a life on-call … always willing to drop what you are doing to stand beside, sit near, be the support for a birthing family … no matter the time of day, day of the year, or even own personal event that may be occurring. To walk into the birth space with calm, a sense of peace, love, and confidence. These women are so incredibly special.

While all birth workers, inside or out of the hospital, deserve recognition and acknowledgement for the hard work and dedication, this week we focus our love on the midwives. As I dug through my collection of birth stories, I was overwhelmed with the love and feeling of community.

Thank you for you commitment to empowering birthing people.

Home Birth in Santa Fe, NM

My first home birth, this mama’s second. Her birth was a precipitous one and she birthed while I was en route from Denver, Colorado. We knew this was a possibility, but it was worth it to both of us to make the attempt. I arrived only hours after he was born and was invited to document some of the most special images I have ever captured. I was enamored with the level of comfort and love this midwife brought to the space. She felt like family.

Home Birth in Englewood, Colorado

This local Denver doula hired me to document the home birth of her third child. At her 37 week appointment I had the honor of meeting her midwife, Janet Schwab, MSN, CNM, RN. We would come to attend many more births together. She exudes confidence, knowledge, and trust. I admired how she quietly observed the couple labor together, giving space while also maintaining presence.

Birth Center of Boulder

This mama, a midwife herself, was supported by Abrie Brutsche Koupal, CNM - a calm and empowering presence for this birthing family.

Home Birth in Parker, Colorado

This mother called me to her home birth space on one of those beautiful early summer days. I walked in to the room with the mother laboring on her bedroom floor. Her team of midwives, Jen Anderson-Tarver, CPM, RM and Maren Wood, CPM, RM with Denver Midwives Collective, quietly and gracefully working around her - making her birth space just right for HER. They listened to her desires and supported her wishes.

Midwife Blessing Song

Once mama and baby were settled in bed, these incredible midwives paused to bless mama, baby, and the sacred birth space with this sweet song and I just had to capture it on video. This song has been passed down within the Midwifery and Home birth Community for 30 years.

Birth Center in Englewood, Colorado

Jen Whalen, CNM embraces this brand new baby, gently checking vitals during the newborn exam. Her presence, knowledge and sense of humor was perfect for this family.

Home Birth in Aurora, Colorado

This mama was so in tune with her body and was supported enough to feel confident in vocalizing her needs. In turn, Kathryn Raynes, CPM, RM and student midwife, Dia Ingalls, genuinely listened to her. She birthed her way, at home and in the water, with her team of midwives immediately present when needed, but also respectfully giving her the space she wanted.

Home Birth Transfer to UCHealth University Hospital

If there is anything predictable about birth, it is that it is unpredictable. This mama had craved a home water birth, but became ill in the last few weeks of her pregnancy, resulting in hospitalization and a change in birth plans. Janet accompanied this mama, visiting her throughout her stay and remained present for the labor and birth. While she was unable to assist in the birth itself, that didn’t stop her from providing the support and empowerment to both the birthing mom and her husband.

Birth Center of Denver - En Caul Water Birth

Katy Kissler, CNM and Jessica Cumley, RN, BSN with the Birth Center of Denver had established such a bond with this mama and her family that we paused for a posed photo! This birth team felt like family by the time everyone was packing up to go home.

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital birth with Center for Midwifery

This mama desperately wanted a natural and unmedicated birth with the midwives at this hospital. She created a birth team that would support her and spent her pregnancy educating herself and her family on what her birth plans were. On the day of the birth, the midwives encouraged and guided the father, a third year medical student at the same hospital, to catch his second daughter.

Empowering Birth at The Birth Center of Boulder

Julie Knutson, CNM, WHNP, IBCLC was ready and waiting with a smile on her face with this mama walked through the door. Empowering confidence and encouraging her to continue to listen to her body, it was an honor to observe Julie confidently assist this mama during the birth of her second son.

Home Birth in Boulder, Colorado

Fast Home Birth in Commerce City, Colorado

Janet and I arrived to this mama’s home only 15-20 minutes before her third baby was born in the water. It was so incredible to hear how Janet supported her on the phone and was calm and confident upon arrival - knowing that she was walking into a precipitous birth.

Denver Center for Birth and Wellness, Water Birth

Shari Long Romero, DNP, CNM provided this mother and her husband with some of the most confident and loving support I have seen. She knew what to say, when to say it and how to help guide mom through her experience.

Thank you all so much for all that you do!

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IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO DOCUMENT YOUR BIRTH STORY.

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Hi Friends! My name is Lindsey Eden. I am a Birth Photographer & Videographer and a Birth & Postpartum Doula serving Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas.

I am social, love connecting with new people, talking birth, laughter and will probably have my camera in hand (or close by) if we meet in person.

This work is my calling. This is my bliss. I would be honored to connect with you and support you along this journey.

Connect with me to learn more!

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