Taking care of families through multiple pregnancies is super special. This mama and I met in an ICAN meeting about 6 years ago. I will never forget Katye's willingness to share about her traumatic experience with her first son. A completely unnecessary cesarean forced upon her by a very aggressive doctor who lacked patience and compassion. Every single meeting Katye would come and cry and my heart broke for her every time.
Fast forward to about 5 years later when Katye became pregnant with their 2nd child- a daughter! After her previous trauma they decided to try for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) in the hospital with nurse midwives. Around 32 weeks Katye felt her providers were not fully supportive of her birth choices and was concerned about being left without options in the hospital. To make a long story short- she decided on a homebirth and I was lucky enough to have space available to care for them so late in the game. The universe was laying out a perfect plan for our mamahearts to meet and some serious healing to happen. Katye and her family welcomed their daughter at home with a triumphant VBAC and subsequently their 3rd child, another son, a few years later.
The photo below captures everything I love about our birth community. THIS is what community looks like....but most importantly what it feels like. This is a group of women who are dedicated to supporting other families to their core. You can see the love, support, and purpose shining through. I had the honor of walking with each of these women in this photo in their own births with the exception of Jenn (who is my own life midwife and will be a midwife herself soon enough.)
None of us do this alone. I am not a midwife island. I am a midwife lucky enough to share this magic with some very special women day in and out. Loyal, trustworthy, always-got-your-back ladyfriends. These women show up as not only professionals but as sisters in life.
I hope every family gets to bathe in love like this when they welcome their babies earthside no matter how that may look. If babies were welcomed with this kind of love and purpose I think we just could change the world yall! .
This photo and gorgeous video is from the fantastic Lee Anne from Petal and Vine Photography. Her and her husband do some seriously gorgeous birth videography here in Tampa and surrounding areas.