Mama Matters

Birth of Baby Olivia: Sneak Peek / East TX Birth Photography

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:13:37 +0000

Here is a sneak peek of the birth photos of beautiful Olivia. This precious daughter was born at home with lots of loving support from her family. Her big 4-year-old sister even acted as doula to her mama, handing her drinks of water and wiping her forehead with a cool cloth. It was so sweet! I can’t wait to have all the pictures edited so I can share more of this wonderful birth with you!

Daddy lends a supportive hand.

Olivia takes her very first breath!
Even this new, sweet Olivia knows her Mama.
Transitioning to the outside world is tough!
There is nothing like these first few moments.
Big Sister gets close for cuddles. Ever night, she had been praying for a sister!
Sweet Face.
Precious Pout.

Sleepy yawn in the herbal bath.

Birth of Baby Layla | East TX Birth Photography

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:45:20 +0000

Baby Layla wanted to take her time! At 42 weeks 4 days gestation and after two days of labor, this beautiful girl decided to join her loving patient family. Her mom was such a trooper; her two sisters, mom, husband, doulas, midwife, and niece were there the whole time as well! And I’m sure everyone would say that Layla was worth the wait.

Doula Pam lends a supportive hand.

She’s here at last.

Proud dad

How tiny her feet look in Dad’s hand.

Sweet Layla

Lovely girl

Precious baby hands!

Holding her father’s hand

Excuse the Mess: Website Design Update

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:47:43 +0000

Dear Visitors:

I am in the middle of redesigning my website live. Please forgive the mess!! Thank you!!!

Introducing Fresh 48 Sessions! | East TX Birth Photography

mamamattersdoula — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:12:14 +0000

This is perfect for those who want those first few special hours or days captured, but not the labor or birth! Also, the first person to book a Fresh 48 session gets $100 off!!!!

New testimony from 1st-time dad

mamamattersdoula — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:07:45 +0000

I attended the early birth of this first-time dad’s baby girl last month. Thank you, Lance, for sharing this encouraging word!

“Having Kali on our team was a true blessing in every sense of the word. As a husband, it was a great relief to have someone in our corner that had been through the birth process many times before. Her experience and demeanor brought peace and clarity throughout the entire process. Having her there enhanced my role as a husband and allowed me to take better care of my wife. Before, during, and after the birth, she was there to support us in every way – the same way family would. We are forever appreciative for her role in the birth of our baby girl.” – Lance, 1st-time dad

My 3rd Homebirth: Birth of Enoch Noble Grandison!

mamamattersdoula — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:38:38 +0000

I welcomed my third child, Enoch Noble Grandison Park, into the world two weeks ago on November 29th! If you are interested in reading my birth story, you may do so here. It was a wonderful birth with Vicky Wells, CPM and Sarah Anderson, CPM of Labor of Love attending as midwives. Enoch was 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 1/4 inches. We are doing well and adjusting to a fun chaotic life as a family of five!

I will be available to attend births starting at the end of January 2012. I am still encapsulating placentas anytime starting now.

Here are a few pictures from the birth that my husband took.

Now Offering Postpartum Doula Services!

mamamattersdoula — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:13:43 +0000

“It is clear that the importance of support, advice and assistance in the weeks and months following birth cannot be overemphasized. The ways in which the woman, baby, partner and siblings make the transition to a new family unit have a long-term impact on their physical and emotional health. The postpartum doula fills a large gap in maternity care and is able to facilitate a smooth and rewarding transition.” -DONA International

I am so excited to announce that I am in the process to be certified as a postpartum doula and will now offer nurturing postpartum care to moms.

I strongly believe something that is missing from our society is a “mothering” of the postpartum mom. In many traditional cultures, there is a time called the “lying-in” period, in which the postpartum mother, for typically at least six weeks after childbirth, nurtures herself and her baby. This is accomplished in different ways depending on the tradition of the society, but always involves a community of women (usually women who have been mothers themselves) giving strong physical and emotional support during the postpartum time. During this time, the mother is encouraged to stay in bed with her baby, avoid housework, and heal from her birth. Oftentimes she is “treated like a queen”, served special soups, assisted with breastfeeding, and given massages. She is not expected to “get on with her life” or follow normal routines or hold normal responsibilities. Her responsibility is to herself and her infant.

Our culture is very much lacking in this type of support; most moms are expected to go home from the hospital or birth center completely equipped to tackle the demands (however rewarding they may be) of having a newborn. It could be challenge to anyone, but to the hormonal, exhausted, sometimes physically ill/injured new mom, it can be overwhelming. That is where a knowledgeable postpartum doula may be able to help out, providing a listen ear, resources, physical assistance, and a simply helping hand to the growing family unit.

There is evidence that mothers who have support during the postpartum period:

Achieve greater breastfeeding success
Feel greater self-confidence
Experience less postpartum depression
Have a lower incidence of abuse than those who do not.*

It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help when you need it! You owe it to yourself, your baby, and your family to make sure you are cared for, nurtured, mothered.

*DONA Postpartum Position paper

The Homebirth of Remy J. – Birth Photography

mamamattersdoula — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:45:36 +0000

What a peaceful, perfectly supported homebirth! Ashley & Brad are first-time parents and their birth experience was so inspirational. I arrived at their house after they had been laboring all night and found Ashley still smiling, even at 8cm dilated! Surrounded by her midwife, two midwife assistants, her sweet mother, and her very involved husband, Ashley breathed through the contractions with loving support. Worship music played in the background. Remy was born in the water, and he was immediately alert and calm! It was such a blessing to be the birth photographer at this birth! See more pictures on my Facebook page!

Wonderful support.

Still smiling at 8cm!

Working Hard

First Moment

Family of Three!

Beautiful Remy

Proud Daddy

The Birth of Nathan H. – Birth Photography

mamamattersdoula — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:37:37 +0000

This absolutely adorable baby boy came into the world after a long and challenging labor. The mama was such a trooper and Baby Nathan pretty much came out smiling!

An early morning walk after 10 hours of labor- leaning on her husband for support.

Patiently waiting.

It was all worth it.

Holding Daddy's hand

What a sweet alert face!

A Face-first Presentation Birth!

mamamattersdoula — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:18:21 +0000

Did you know that babies can be born in many different ways? Yes, the most typical presentation is vertex, like this:

Others are born breech, looking sideways, or, in the case of one of my more recent births I had the blessing to photograph, face first! Below is a picture I captured as the baby was coming out. I love how her sweet lips are pursed and her tongue is sticking out! It’s as if she is saying, “See? I’ll be born in any way I want!” In many cases this presentation is viewed as an automatic Cesarean, so it was wonderful how the attending midwife and obstetrician were supportive of this strong mama having a vaginal birth (and a VBAC at that!). By the way, this was the first face presentation the OB had seen in 17 years and the ONLY one the midwife had ever seen!

Facefirst Presentation Birth Photo
*Nudity involved, that’s why I only put a link to the photo. But it is a tastefully shot photo in black & white and well worth viewing!*