Family Story + my first birth

My family home birth story  

My mother gave birth to me in my grandmothers home in Mc Mahons Point, Sydney. I am a second child, my brother also born at home in a small terrace in Glebe. My younger brother was born in the Avalon Beach home which I grew up in. When I was seven, my mother asked me if I wanted to be present when he was born and I said a big Yes! and when the time came I witnessed my mother as she brought him into the world one early morning in June. 

4 generations of women in my family. Pictured: Mum, Great Grandmother, Me + Nanna

My mother always said she was never taught this way of home birth but just knew. There was no one around her making these choices. It is like this way with her, she says for many ways that it is simple and common sense. Being a fierce mother is her loving way.

For many years and still today, our family living room doubles as my mothers photography studio. She transforms this space for her work as a pregnancy and baby photographer. She often shares stories with me about birth, and this same passion lives deep within her. Im grateful for her influence.

Similarly, there are stories of my great grandmother on my fathers side attending women in a special way. My grandmother (mothers mother) was also supportive of natural birth, encouraging my mum to do as she wished and birth at her house. 

Here are some of my mums work, you can find more on her website Creek Street Photography, together with my fathers, who works as a wedding photographer.