my niece chelsea was born in my childhood bedroom the year i graduated high school. Watching my sister go through labour, in our home, supported by her husband, her family & 2 amazing midwives, was a life changing experience for me. This was years before ‘legalized’ midwifery, when pregnant women were considered radical for doing what is absolutely normal in most of the world, & when the women who were supporting them were deemed ‘not skilled enough’ to help guide them through their birth experience. It was something, at such an impressionable age, to experience the strength & determination, the inner calling & faith my sister had in herself. And to watch women, & the men who love them, empower one another.
fast forward to 4 years ago, when chelsea birthed her first baby, nila, at their home in victoria, supported by her husband, her mom, her family & 2 amazing midwives. And then to last week, when we all welcomed chelsea & bob’s 2nd child, a very sweet & healthy baby boy, birthed at home, once again surrounded by the loving care of family & skilled midwives. All such a blessing. Chelsea, you are a dynamo. Thank you for sharing your family & your birth journey with us. We love you deeply. This is a little peak into day 1, beginning about 15 minutes after our not-so-little man’s arrival…
