birth center

Born at Health Foundations in St. Paul, Minnesota | Roman's Birth Story in Photographs /  by Meredith Westin

July 9th, 2019 | 3:34 pm

When this strong mama reached out to me and Gina several months ago about booking our doula support + birth photography package, we were thrilled. Our meeting at a Starbucks in downtown St. Paul was full of laughs and I was able to look forward to capturing her birth in photographs for ages because she planned ahead and secured our services before we booked up. Smart mama! The day finally arrived and we met her at the birth center bright and early. When I walked in, I could hear the telltale signs of a woman in active labor. She powered through HOURS of labor and finally finally finally got to meet her baby in the middle of the afternoon after utilizing sterile water injections (twice!), the TENS machine, and all the doula tricks Gina could muster.

Doula: Gina of the sown seed

Welcome to the world, sweet boy! We are so glad you’re here!

Born at Health Foundations in St. Paul, Minnesota | A Preview of Isla's Birth Story in Photographs /  by Meredith Westin

December 1st, 2018 | 8:15 am

We talk a lot about optimal fetal positioning in the birth world. This little baby’s brow was pressed down into her mama’s pelvis during labor so she came out with a funny little bulge on her forehead. Generally, babies are positioned with the crown of their heads entering the pelvis first. When they tuck their chins, they are positioned optimally so that their heads can mold to fit the pelvis. Because Isla presented with her forehead rather than the crown of her head, her mama had to work extra hard to deliver her. A little maternal positioning help from her amazing doula, Gina of the sown seed, got things moving and baby was born shortly afterwards.

Welcome to the world, sweet girl! We’re so glad you’re here!

INTERESTED IN BOOKING A BIRTH STORY SESSION? LEARN MORE!

Our Souls Were Singing at Roots Community Birth Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota | The Birth Story of Khalil /  by Meredith Westin

September 21st, 2018 | 10:49 pm

This was a quick birth! As I was rushing in the door almost exactly 30 minutes after I got the call, I heard mama’s birth roar and I rounded the corner into the birth suite with my camera in hand as she was lifting her baby to her chest. Big sister and mom’s mom (along with her wonderful doula) were by her side as she birthed her son and I’m so glad I got to be there to capture his first few hours. After mama delivered the placenta, she made her way to the bed with the help of her birth team. After a while, her daughter got to cut the cord and then they watched his newborn exam together. The whole time I was capturing moments for these lovely people, this song was playing on repeat in my head.

Welcome to the world, buddy! We’re so glad you’re here.

To book a Birth Story Session, contact me.

And Baby Makes Five at Roots Birth Center | The Birth of Brooklynn Jade /  by Meredith Westin

August 22nd, 2018 | 3:34 pm

When LaTrice's midwives discovered thick meconium in her amniotic fluid, the decision was made to call an ambulance so that baby Brooklynn would have access to a NICU if aspiration took place. Thankfully, this sweet babe was born without complications at the hospital after a quick ride from the birth center. I walked in the room after finding a spot to park and Brooklynn was born less than two minutes later much to the delight of her relieved parents. After ensuring that she was doing well, her big brother and her big sister were invited into the room to meet her. 

Welcome to the world, sweet girl! We're so glad you're here! 

Reserve your spot on my calendar today! Spots fill up quickly!

Born at Willow Birth Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Florence's Birth Story /  by Meredith Westin

When Marlena reached out to me about documenting her birth, I was thrilled. We go all the way back to middle school and, though we hadn't kept in touch beyond being friends on the internet, I was so happy to hear from her. I had a blast documenting her little family at our prenatal documentary session (we spent the session singing, dancing, laughing, and playing -- what fun!) and I'm looking forward to our upcoming postpartum documentary session. Bring on the sweet sister snuggles!

Marlena's guess date was July 30th and, when she hired me, I had plans to be out of town for the first half of July. I thought about her often on my trip though I knew she'd be in excellent hands with my associate photographer. When I got home on July 22nd, she still hadn't delivered that babe and I gladly went on-call for her. Fast forward two and a half weeks and the births of four of my other clients' babies, and it looked like Marlena was finally in labor!  And she was, but it was slowwww going. Three days later after many updates, I got a message from Liz, her amazing doula, letting me know that I could probably head over to the birth center if I wanted to. I DID want to! So off I went. That sweet baby was born less than an hour after I arrived and those short moments before her birth were some of the most joyful and connected moments I've had the privilege of documenting. 

Between her gleeful parents, their wonderful doula, and the incredible staff at the birth center, there was so much love and joy in the room when baby Florence was born. 

Welcome to the world, Florence Hope! We're so glad you're here! 

7:07 pm | August 12th, 2012

*all images shared with permission and gratitude

Book your birth session today!

I'M HAPPY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIRTH AT THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS: 

Burnsville Ridges, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Maple Grove Hospital, Methodist Hospital, North Memorial Health Hospital, Regina Hospital in Hastings, Regions Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, St. Johns Hospital, The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital (Fairview Riverside), The Mother Baby Center at Abbot Northwestern, The Mother Baby Center at Mercy Hospital, The Mother Baby Center at United, and Woodwinds.

I ALSO LOVE DOCUMENTING AT THESE BIRTH CENTERS: 

Health Foundations Birth Center, Minnesota Birth Center (Minneapolis), Minnesota Birth Center (St. Paul), Roots Community Birth Center, and Willow Birth Center.

IN ADDITION TO HOSPITALS AND BIRTH CENTERS, I ALSO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING BIRTHS AT HOME (ASSISTED HOMEBIRTH OR UNASSISTED/FREEBIRTH):

Dearborn Midwives, Geneabirth, Mandala Midwifery Care, Modern Midwifery, North Star Midwifery, Peacefully Born Traditional Midwifery, Twin Cities Midwifery, and more!

Surrounded by Family and Friends at Roots Community Birth Center | The Birth Story of Robyn Quincia Zakiyah /  by Meredith Westin

June 11th, 2018 | 7:57 pm

Welcome to the world, Robyn! We're so glad you're here!

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHED? TALK TO MEREDITH TODAY.

I'M HAPPY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIRTH AT THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS: 

Burnsville Ridges, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Maple Grove Hospital, Methodist Hospital, North Memorial Health Hospital, Regina Hospital in Hastings, Regions Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, St. Johns Hospital, The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital (Fairview Riverside), The Mother Baby Center at Abbot Northwestern, The Mother Baby Center at Mercy Hospital, The Mother Baby Center at United, and Woodwinds.

I ALSO LOVE DOCUMENTING AT THESE BIRTH CENTERS: 

Health Foundations Birth Center, Minnesota Birth Center (Minneapolis), Minnesota Birth Center (St. Paul), Roots Community Birth Center, and Willow Birth Center.

IN ADDITION TO HOSPITALS AND BIRTH CENTERS, I ALSO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING BIRTHS AT HOME (ASSISTED HOMEBIRTH OR UNASSISTED/FREEBIRTH):

Dearborn Midwives, Geneabirth, Mandala Midwifery Care, Modern Midwifery, North Star Midwifery, Peacefully Born Traditional Midwifery, Twin Cities Midwifery, and more!

A Sunny Afternoon Birth at the Minnesota Birth Center | The Birth Story of Ethan /  by Meredith Westin

May 15th, 2018 | 4:01 pm

Welcome to the world, little guy! 

SNEAK PEEK IMAGES LIKE THESE ARE INCLUDED IN MY BIRTH STORY SESSION: PHOTOS + FILMS PACKAGE ALONG WITH YOUR COMPLIMENTARY PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DOCUMENTARY MINI-SESSIONS, A MINUTE-LONG BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT FILM, A FULL-LENGTH BIRTH STORY FILM, AND A FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM YOUR BIRTH WITH A FULL PRINT RELEASE.

CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE.