willow

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!