Amazing images shared to me by @pregnantaftermiscarriage_101 Look how her pup checks on its mama as the new baby prepares to come earth side! She writes “I wanted to share some pictures with you from our home birth 🙂 my boyfriend and I had long planned this birth. We had a ton of opinions thrown at us about if we were making the right decision. But we knew we were! We had the most beautiful labour and birth. Only four hours of active labour and a very healthy baby boy. I had a small tear but otherwise didn't even notice I had birthed a tiny human! I felt amazing and cannot wait to do it again! I am so thankful for positive accounts like yours that show how truly beautiful and empowering a home birth can be 💙” If you haven’t already, visit the link in my highlights to receive my monthly newsletter at no cost! It’s packed full of exclusive discounts and information! Perfect for pregnant mamas, birthing professionals and more!

The hands that hold the mother ♥️ by @_kimberlynicole_photography #homebirth #homebirthphotography #birthphotographer #familyphotos #thehonestcapture #culpeperva #warrentonva #fredericksburgva #rappahannockcounty #culpeperphotographer #familyphotosession #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale⁣ #adventurousstorytellers

Repost from @jacintalagosbirthservices • C O L O S T R U M is liquid gold ⭐️. It’s everything your baby needs right after birth. Full of nutrients, calories, fat, carbs and protein, with just a few drops it provides your newborn with everything they need. . It’s a common myth to think that you’re not able to feed your baby before you get the actual milk, but it’s your job to let the world know that you have this golden fluid to nurture your baby and that’s all they need ❤️. . Colostrum can be produce right after birth or even during the last stage of pregnancy, so don’t be alarmed if you find a discharge from your breasts while still pregnant. . C A L O S T R O es oro líquido. Es todo lo que tu bebé necesita cuando nace. Solo unas pocas gotas le dan a tu bebé calorías, carbohidratos, grasa y proteínas. . Un mito muy común es creer que al no tener leche aún, no se puede alimentar al bebé. Es tu tarea enseñarle al mundo que este líquido dorado es suficiente para alimentar y nutrir a tu bebé hasta la bajada de la leche. . La producción de calostro se puede dar luego del parto o incluso durante la última etapa del embarazo. . #colostrum #liquidgold #calostro #lactanciamaterna #breastfeeding #normalizebreastfeeding

Repost from @2lifedoula • Ready, Set, Catch! Priceless capture of Dad ready to catch baby. 🤲💛 Did you or your partner choose to catch baby? #Repost @umamother ・・・ photo x @nicole_hamic via @lindseymeehleis #catchingbabies #birthpreparation #umamother

Awesome post from @badassmotherbirther 📸PhotoCred: @createanomaly📸 👶🏽 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘-𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 👶🏽 OP(occiput posterior) or more commonly known as sunny-side up baby, is a position where the baby is facing the birthers abdomen instead of facing their spine. The back of the baby’s head, which is the hardest part, rests on the birthers lower back. This position should NOT automatically warrant a cesarean. MANY BABIES ARE BORN JUST FINE VAGINALLY IN THIS POSITION BUT CAN CAUSE THE FOLLOWING: ⭕️longer pregnancy ⭕️premature rupture of membranes ⭕️slowing of labor which can lead to use of Pitocin ⭕️back of baby’s head is applying pressure to birthers lower back/spine and causes more pain ⭕️pushing baby out can be harder and longer ⭕️vacuum/forcep assistance ⭕️vaginal tearing ⭕️cesarean WHAT CAN YOU DO DURING PREGNANCY TO POSSIBLY AVOID AN OP BABY? ❇️SIT UP STRAIGHT! THE BACK OF THE BABYS HEAD IS THE HEAVIEST, SLOUCHING ALLOWS GRAVITY TO PULL THE BACK OF HIS HEAD TOWARDS YOUR SPINE! ❇️Spend time everyday sitting on a birthball ❇️Get into a hands and knees position twice a day for 10 minutes ❇️When sitting make sure your knees are always lower than your hips and lean forward instead of leaning back ❇️If you sit a lot for work, take regular breaks to get up and move around. ditch the office chair for a birth ball ❇️See a chiropractor WHAT CAN YOU DO DURING BIRTH: ✅Keep active during labor ✅Utilize positions that open your pelvis and allows your baby room to rotate ✅PATIENCE! Lots of babies will rotate out of this position during labor with just using patience ✅Use of epidural can often lead to an OP baby(from less mobility), but sometimes if baby is ALREADY in an OP position for an extended amount of time, an epidural can help relax the pelvic floor and allow baby to turn. ✅HIRE A DOULA! They can help you with exercises to turn your baby naturally(like lunge positions, knees to chest, forward leaning, etc etc) or they might have skills with a rebozo to turn your baby! Some babies are born OP with ease and some require help to navigate ❤️

Repost from @whenabellyblooms birth, a love story 🌹

“I laboured all over my house in many different positions for several hours. I was laying in our bed when I had the sudden urge to stand up and sit into a squat. In 3 short contractions, my 10lbs beautiful son was born. Trust your body. Listen to what is it telling you to do. It will not fail you. ❤️” — @ktduncan04 Thanks so much to this mama for sharing these beautiful words and images with us 💕💕