Devoted Hands Doula
Melanie Ellison, Durango CO doula
  • Home
  • About
  • Photography
    • Maternity
    • Birth
    • Fresh 48
    • Newborn
    • 6-9 Month
    • In The Box Toddler
  • Investment
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Baby Nanny
  • Contact

Sage's Natural Hospital Birth

12/12/2017

3 Comments

 
The night before Sage's mom went into labor, her water broke. She tried to get some rest even though there was so much excitement and so many unknown possibilities on her mind. After a few hours, contractions started. By morning, they were 12 minutes apart and 44 seconds long. Finally, 12 hours after her water broke, my client decided it was time for her to go to the hospital, where I met them. After monitoring baby for a while, the nurses released us to walk around in order to encourage contractions to pick up even more. My client was hungry, so her feet led her to the cafeteria to fill up on strength for the marathon to come.

Contractions down the hall, contractions while picking out food that might be appetizing. Stopping and breathing through each. So much excitement. This was finally the day we had talked about together for the last seven months since I came on board the team!

Picture
Picture

Pacing hallways, walking stairs. Always counting on her man to be there to support her when a contraction came. 
Picture
Back in the room, essential oils wafted through the air. 
Picture
Picture
Sitting on a birth ball by the bed for a few contractions so the nurses can have baby on the monitor, the sun streaming into her face, giving her strength. 
Picture
Focusing on relaxing every muscle, breaking the fear > tension > pain cycle. 
Picture
Picture
This smile is right before a check by her midwife found her to be fully dilated!

The squat bar can be a helpful tool to use during the pushing stage even if a woman ends up in a different position to actually deliver. Use gravity to help move that baby down! 
Picture
And then lean back and totally rest in between contractions. Good time for a quick monitoring of baby's heart. Baby Sage was strong and ready to come out of this beautiful henna-decorated belly to meet her parents.
Picture
Picture
Dad cutting the cord...
Picture
Picture
I get that women are amazing, but come on, how do you look this beautiful (below) only an hour or two after pushing a baby out of your body?! Maybe it's the endorphin high from having natural birth, or maybe it's that stunning gown. I think it's a woman who has just locked eyes with her destiny--motherhood.
Picture
Picture
The strong arms that supported mom in labor will now be there for you,
​little girl, throughout your life! You are blessed with a good daddy.
​
Picture
Picture
Congratulations to my client on facing her fears and turning them into stepping stones that propelled her forward! You guys will be great parents after conquering this rite of passage.
3 Comments
Kathy Stallings
12/15/2017 09:02:13 am

Thank you Melanie for this beautiful documented story of our first grand baby. Especially since we were unable to be there for this amazing event due to health issues. Through your beautiful photos & words it was as if we were present. It is obvious you put your whole heart & soul in your work. Thanks for sharing! Kathy (Mom to Brett)

Reply
Devoted Hands Doula
12/15/2017 09:17:49 am

Kathy, thanks for sharing that! I'm glad these memories were preserved for you! Your son is a sterling person (and he sure did find himself a sweet wife!).

Reply
Grace
12/16/2017 03:45:47 pm

These are so beautiful, Melanie!! Such an amazing mama too! Loved seeing this.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Melanie Ellison, Durango CO

    Childbirth fascinates me, and I always love learning more tidbits about it and sharing them with you. I also post photo galleries here from my photoshoots. Sign up for the RSS feed below so you don't miss a post!

    Follow me at: www.facebook.com/devotedhandsdoula

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Adoption Stories
    Birth Photos
    Breastfeeding
    Conception
    Doula
    Humorous
    Labor
    Maternity Photos
    Morning Sickness
    NB Photos
    Newborn Care
    Newborn Care
    Pregnancy
    Pregnancy Health
    Recipes
    Triplets

    Archives

    November 2019
    July 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.