home birth

Born at Home in Downtown Minneapolis | A Preview of Cedar's Birth Story + A Birth Film! /  by Meredith Westin

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12:00 pm | April 26, 2019

It’s always a treat to attend a birth with my doula partner, Gina, and this one was no exception. Our lovely client had a long, slow labor with her first kiddo. Two and a half years ago, the weather was dreary. After two long days of contractions, her water finally broke as her baby was born. This time around, she woke up at 6:30 am after a good night of sleep to a thump — her water had broken! She texted us right away to let us know what had happened and said she’d keep us posted. After an hour, Gina spoke to her husband on the phone and could tell that things were ramping up. She let me know she’d be joining them soon and told me to get ready. When she arrived, our client was starting to feel like pushing. Fortunately, I was already on my way. By the time I walked into their apartment a few minutes later ready to start documenting with my cameras around my neck, things were in full swing. Water was flowing into the birth pool, their sweet kiddo was contentedly watching a show while his mama labored next to him, and their wonderful midwife was setting up her things. A few beautiful hours later, we got to photograph them as they met their newest little baby.

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

Gina and I were so thrilled to provide our Doula Support + Birth Photography package to this family and we were even more excited when they chose to add on a Birth Announcment Film and a Birth Story Film. If you’d like to learn more about our team, visit our service page.

Born at Home on Fat Tuesday | Baby Liv's Birth Story in Photos /  by Meredith Westin

March 5th, 2019 | 12:58 pm

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

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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!

HypnoBirthing at Home with Twin Cities Midwifery | A Preview of Mirabelle's Birth Story /  by Meredith Westin

December 14th, 2018 | 12:16 am

Kari and Levi welcomed the newest member of their family just after midnight. With their young daughter, Kari’s sister, their doula, and their fantastic midwifery team at their side, they met their new baby - a girl! - in a whirlwind of elation. Kari was laughing in between surges in the minutes before delivering their child and the new big sister was delighted by the arrival, stretching out her arms and asking to hold her almost as soon as she was born.

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

Learn more about my birth photography packages. Interested in doula support too? My partner Gina and I have a special package for you!

Born at Home in Excelsior, Minnesota | Baby Boy's Birth Story /  by Meredith Westin

September 13th, 2018 | 12:17 am

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

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER TO DOCUMENT YOUR LABOR AND DELIVERY EXPERIENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL, OR THE SURROUNDING AREAS IN MINNESOTA, LET'S TALK! I'M EXPERIENCED AT HOSPITAL, BIRTH CENTER, AND HOME BIRTHS, AND I'VE DOCUMENTED (AND BEEN THE DOULA AT!) VBACS, TWINS, SURROGACY, WATER, MEDICATED, EPIDURAL, SAME SEX, AND CESAREAN BIRTHS.

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 Homebirth Transfer in the Twin Cities | Evelyn's Birth Story /  by Meredith Westin

Evelyn Lucy | July 27th, 2018 | 10:46 am

In mama's words: "Little Evelyn Lucy surprised us at the end of labor. She decided during pushing to flip footling breech. And although her homebirth ended in a cesarean, I had the most amazing and intense birthing experience. I had my incredible husband around, two skilled and supportive midwives, and one of my best friends as my doula. I loved our birth and love our littlest lady even more."

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

A HANDFUL OF SNEAK PEEK IMAGES LIKE THESE ARE DELIVERED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BABY'S BIRTH. YOUR Package also includes COMPLIMENTARY PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DOCUMENTARY MINI-SESSIONS AND A FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM YOUR BIRTH WITH A FULL PRINT RELEASE.

CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE.

A Lovely Waterbirth at Home in Minneapolis | The Birth Story of Louise Wynne + A Birth Story Film! /  by Meredith Westin

April 21st, 2018 | 2:03 am

I am always honored when a family chooses to bring me into their birth experience. When that family is part of the birth world or the photography world, it's even more flattering. When Amy reached out waaaay back in the fall, it felt like her birth would never arrive but of course it did. And when it did, it was incredible. Thank you for inviting me into your birth space, Amy. I'm so incredibly proud of you.

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

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.

A Homebirth Turned Hospital Birth in the Twin Cities | The Birth Story of Ella /  by Meredith Westin

Ella Grace | March 29th, 2018 | 8:51 pm

When Becky and Dave hired me to be their photographer for the birth of their second daughter, they knew this labor experience would be unique but they didn't know just how unique and how different from their first labor it would be. From a 24 hour labor to a hospital birth and then a stay in the hospital, things were pretty much the opposite of their first birth experience. Despite that, it was all incredibly beautiful.

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