When the economy feels uncertain, families naturally begin looking for ways to cut expenses. Vacations get postponed. Home projects wait. Nights out become nights in.

But when you’re expecting a baby, one question often comes up:

“Can we really justify hiring a birth photographer, birth videographer, or doula right now?”

It’s a fair question.

As someone who provides all three services, I completely understand the hesitation. Every dollar matters. But I also know something that becomes incredibly clear after witnessing countless births:

Birth only happens once.

The One Day You Can’t Reschedule

There are very few moments in life that cannot be recreated.

You can retake family photos.
You can celebrate birthdays another weekend.
You can plan another vacation.

But the exact moment your child enters the world—the first cry, the first breath, the look on your partner’s face, the instant you become a parent to this new little person—can never happen again.

Even parents who weren’t initially interested in documenting birth often tell me afterward, “I’m so glad we did.”

Not because they expected perfect photos or a cinematic film, but because birth is a blur. Labor is intense. Hormones are powerful. Time seems to disappear. Having those moments preserved allows families to revisit details they simply couldn’t hold onto in the moment.

A Doula Isn’t Just Another Expense

In difficult economic times, it’s easy to view doula support as a luxury.

In reality, many families find that a doula provides value far beyond the day of birth.

A doula offers continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor. That means helping you stay comfortable, explaining what’s happening, encouraging your partner, suggesting position changes, providing reassurance, and helping you navigate one of the biggest days of your life with confidence.

Your medical team is there to provide excellent clinical care.

A doula is there to care for you.

For many parents, that support becomes one of the most meaningful investments they make during pregnancy.

Why Birth Videography Is Different

Today’s families document everything.

We capture birthdays, graduations, vacations, and even everyday moments on our phones.

Yet one of the most life-changing events often goes undocumented.

Birth videography isn’t about showing every medical detail. It’s about preserving the emotion.

The nervous laughter.

The whispered encouragement.

The tears.

The first cry.

The moment your baby’s tiny fingers wrap around yours.

Years later, it’s often the sounds that bring families right back into that room. To view some samples of video, click here.

Birth Photography Tells the Story You’ll Never See

One of the most surprising things parents tell me after receiving their gallery is:

“I didn’t even know that happened.”

During labor, you’re focused on giving birth.

You may never see your partner wiping away tears.

You might miss your older child peeking in with wide eyes.

You won’t remember every encouraging smile from your nurse.

Birth photography captures the parts of your story that happen around you while you’re doing the incredible work of bringing your baby into the world.

Investing in Memories Without Adding Financial Stress

Every family’s financial situation is different.

If professional birth services feel out of reach, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Many birth photographers and doulas offer:

• Payment plans
• Installments throughout pregnancy
• Flexible package options
• Combination services that can be more affordable than booking separately

Planning ahead over several months often makes these services much more manageable than paying everything at once.

Looking Back Years From Now

No one can predict what the economy will look like five years from now.

But one thing is almost certain.

Someday your child will ask what the day they were born was like.

Imagine being able to show them.

Not just tell them.

To watch the moment they arrived.

To see the joy, relief, strength, and overwhelming love that filled the room.

Those aren’t simply photographs or videos.

They’re part of your family’s history.

Birth Is More Than a Day

Whether you’re considering birth photography, birth videography, doula support, or all three together, the goal isn’t simply to document labor.

It’s to preserve one of the most meaningful chapters of your family’s story while ensuring you feel supported through every contraction, every decision, and every unforgettable moment.

The economy will change.

Prices will change.

Life will change.

But the day your baby is born will remain one of the defining moments of your life—and one that deserves to be remembered with the same care and love that surrounded it.

If you’re expecting and wondering whether birth photography, birth videography, or doula support is right for your family, I’d love to answer your questions. Together, we can find an option that fits your needs, your birth goals, and your budget, so you can focus on welcoming your baby with confidence and peace of mind.

Looking to ask a question? Whether you are looking for additional information on birth photography, birth videography, labor doula support, or financial questions, feel free to contact me.

The post Is Birth Photography Worth It? appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

What Happens During Labor in the Hospital?

So, you are in active labor (5 cm or more) and the hospital has deemed you “ready” for a birthing room. So off you go. At this point, you call or text your doula and photographer and let them know which room you are in, so they can come and meet you there.

The room will be fairly large since it must accommodate a team of nurses, your OB, the heating table for the baby, the bed, medical equipment, and usually a couch that can double as a bed for your partner. It will also have a bathroom and usually a shower.

If you are not into “hospitally” stuff (really, who is?), it’s important to bring things that will help you relax and feel safe.

What Can I do during a Hospital Birth to feel more Comfortable?

1. Your Own Gown

2. Electric Candles

3. Birth Affirmations

4. Your Own Music. This can be played on the hospital speakers (in your room) often times.

5. Aromatherapy. I have only been to one hospital that allowed a diffuser. However, Amazon has little patches of aromatherapy tabs. They can be found here.

What Happens During a Hospital Labor

Ok, so you have your creature comforts, you are in active labor and are now in your birthing room. What now?

Let us assume you are doing a natural birth without an epidural.

Now it is a waiting game. What I mean by that is, you will hopefully continue having your contractions. They will become more intense as time goes on. They will become quicker until they are on top of each other. And then you have a baby.

Now, all of the stuff in between. If you go to the hospital too soon and they still admit you, the likelihood of you asking for an epidural can increase. Why is that? Labor can take a while, and you get tired. Being completely exhausted is a real reason epidurals are asked for. You simply get too tired and cannot take on contractions while exhausted. In other words, really stick to that 5-1-1 rule (part I in the blog)and stay home as long as possible.

It is important to relax and listen to your body. Yes, labor progresses quicker if you are using the UFO method. That is you are in an Upright, Forward-facing, and in an Open position. Movement is your best friend during labor. However, if you feel you need to rest or sleep, please go with that. Never think taking a nap will stall labor. You can move afterwards, as you are in for a lengthy stay. If you can catch little cat naps in the early active stage, you will likely have more stamina for the more intense time later on.

What if I Feel Pressured by Labor Nurses or my OB during Labor?

In no way am I stereotyping here, so please save the hate mail. I am only speaking from my own experience, having been to many births.

There may be times when a nurse will check your dilation. Remember, this is an elective procedure. In no way feel like you must comply. If you are listening to your body and you don’t want to be checked, you have every right to voice that. But if you do want it and you have not progressed much over a specific amount of time, they may strongly suggest interventions.

The suggestions may be said in such a way as to make you feel like it is the best thing in the whole world. I have heard things like, “if you would like to have a little Pitocin to move things along, you could be holding your baby much sooner”. I have also heard, “You are so close, we could break your water and baby will be here in no time at all”. Now these statements sound very reasonable right? Nothing pushy about it, correct? But imagine you are so exhausted, perhaps in a lot of pain, and someone throws out one of these “life preserver” statements. Right at your most vulnerable, the chances of you jumping at it, is high. In no way am I saying any of these interventions are bad or wrong, but if you have it in your mind, you are doing this as naturally as possible, these statements that nurses say, can go against what you want, and when you are vulnerable, you take it.

Adding Questions to Your Birth Plan

When I do birth plans with clients, I always ask them, “Do you want staff to offer interventions or do you want to wait to ask yourself?” This is hugely important. It’s totally ok, if you decide to have interventions, but make it on your terms. You or your partner ask for them. When you are offered options at a vulnerable moment during labor, those options can change the course of your birth dramatically.

Using Your B.R.A.I.N. During Labor

Whenever you are given an option to do something, such as getting a little Pitocin, breaking the water, getting an epidural, always use the acronym BRAIN.

For example, an OB says, “Would you like a little Pitocin since it seems your labor has stalled”? First of all, yes, your contractions can slow down or become less intense. Some practitioners call this “failure to progress”. What a nasty little term THAT is! As necessary as I feel hospitals are, they are often run on numbers. If they can’t get you delivered and moved to the maternity ward quickly enough (opening up the room for another birthing person), then they may look for ways to speed you up. Contractions slowing down or becoming less intense are often part of labor. If you and baby are doing fine, then, in reality, they should just leave you alone. However, they don’t always do that.

B. in BRAIN

Ask what the benefits are. In the example above, ask your OB, what benefits are there to me and baby if I have Pitocin?

R. in BRAIN

What are the risks? If I get Pitocin, what are the risks of that?

A. in BRAIN

What are the alternatives? If I don’t get Pitocin, what can I do instead?

I. in BRAIN

What does your intuition tell you? Do you feel Pitocin is the right thing to do?

N. in BRAIN

What if you do nothing? What will happen if I do not do Pitocin or any alternatives? Even if for a little while.

Part III

Part III will come out in a day or two. That part will be pretty short, but vital!

The post What Really Happens During Labor Part II appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.

Since 2020 put the kibosh on so many sessions, I took this time to study…and study…oh, and study some more! Finally two weeks ago, I became certified birth doula through Mardiella.

What Is a Birth Doula?

“A Doula, or childbirth assistant, is a labor support person who has specific training and experience in providing informational, emotional, and physical support during the childbearing experience, especially during labor and immediately after the birth”.

The Five areas of doula support are:

1. Emotional Support
2. Physical Support
3. Informational Support
4. Partner Reinforcement
5. Self-Advocacy

Emotional Support

There is so much going on with an expectant mother, the very first thing we, as doulas, will do is listen. I mean really listen, without judgement or thinking about what to say. Actively listening and holding space for a mother to express herself is so important.

In a nutshell, “Emotional support is being able to identify what another person is feeling with accuracy and is able to respond in an appropriate, compassionate, and empathetic manner.”

Evidence shows that the best kind of support during birth is someone who knows about birth, is unaffiliated with the hospital, and is also not a member of the birthing person’s family. You do not have to worry about offending a doula as you might with a family member. If the birth plan begins to deviate, doulas are an extra person that can answer questions if staff gets too busy to answer.

Physical Support

A doula provides physical support primarily during labor, but also by demonstrating positioning and massage techniques that can be used by the partner before labor begins.

There are different touch and massage techniques a doula can use, depending on what the mother finds helpful. As labor progresses, the doula may cradle the woman in her arms, wipe her brow, massage her and use other forms of touch as she educates her about what is happening to her body and in the birth of her child. She can instruct the partner or birth companion in doing the same, helping him or her to soothe the mother.

Informational Support

As your doula, we would meet at least once before the birthing day. You can ask and express as much or as little as you want. Maybe you would like information about where to birth? Perhaps you have concerns about pain and pain management options or you need help writing out your birth plan.

Informational support helps keep the birthing person and their partner informed about what’s going on with the course of labor, as well as provides them with access to evidence-based information about birth options. 

Partner Reinforcement

Despite the quality and amount of childbirth classes and preparations they have made, partners are sometimes nervous about the labor and birthing process.

The presence of a Doula can help birth partners participate at their own comfort level; showing them how and when to use various comfort techniques, providing information, and in some cases, looking after them as well. Partners are often grateful to be able to share the “coaching” responsibility with someone more experienced, and can therefore, enjoy the birth experience more themselves.

Self advocacy

Self advocacy means that we (the doula) empowers a woman to speak up for herself in the delivery room. We do not speak on your behalf.

When births moved from home to hospitals the mothers lost much of the control they had in the birth arena. They became patients having procedures done to them instead of women in control of a process that is a natural function of their bodies.

Even in a hospital a woman can be in control, or can at least feel like she has more control if the doula helps her state her wishes in a clear and realistic manner.

Advocacy can take many forms—most of which do not include speaking on behalf of the client. They include:

• Encouraging the birthing person or their partner to ask questions and verbalize their preferences
• Asking the birthing person what they want
• Supporting the birthing person’s decision
• Amplifying the mother’s voice if she is being dismissed, ignored, or not heard, “Excuse me, she’s trying to tell you something. I wasn’t sure if you heard her or not.”
• Facilitating communication between the parents and care providers
• Teaching the birthing person and partner positive communication techniques

What a Doula is Not

A doula is not a medical worker. We do not give medical advice, supervise a birth or prescribe any medications. The Doula is there to bridge the gap between medical professionals and expectant parents. They do not make medical decisions, but they do explain medical procedures to the parents when they are necessary.

Becoming a Los Angeles Birth Doula

There are many training and certifying doula associations. Since the doula profession is not regulated, they are all just as officially valid as the other. However, some of them are bigger, better known and are seen as more legitimate in the profession. Some of them respond to particular needs or niches in the birth community. 

I chose Madriella. Madriella is a licensed, certified online doula training facility that offers several different types of certifications. You can also get hands-on training given by approved workshop providers, experienced doulas that want to pass on their knowledge to other women (which is the heart of the Madriella philosophy).

If you would like to talk about adding doula services to your birth photography package, message me and I will be happy to talk with you. Having a Los Angeles birth doula can not be underestimated!

The post Los Angeles Birth Doula appeared first on BIRTH AND BEAUTY.