Birth is an incredible experience – bringing a new life into the world couldn't possibly be anything less than incredible.  Yet it's also an intense experience.  You're working hard, you're working with your baby and the two of you are doing something amazing together.  You're making a miracle happen.  And that is beautiful.

Can we please dump Hollywood stereotypes and modern-day desires to embrace sterile environments as a religion…

…so we can embrace birthing women for what they are – powerful, beautiful, worthy of all the support we can give them, and worthy of having all the space they need to work with their babies?

Embrace that birth is an intense experience, yes, but also beautiful.  And awesome.  Think about that.  AWEsome.  Enjoy this glimpse with awe:

Hold the space for mamas and babies working…
Above moment captured by Captured by Cassie, serving the Jasper-Birmingham Alabama area

Beauty and power beyond words.
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Sleep 'til you can't…
Above moment captured by Captured by Cassie, serving the Jasper-Birmingham Alabama area

Radiance, strength, feminine power – so gorgeous!
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Lean on me
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Great, sheer, effort
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Birth ball is so helpful while birthing your babe!
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

(NOTE: Want a Perfect Birth Plan Template? Use this template and step-by-step videos to write a birth plan that gets your birth team on your side for a beautiful birth experience! Get the birth plan kit here.)

Just be there for her
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

There for her
Above moment captured by Old Fashioned Dreamer Photography, serving Northern California

A moment of calm
Above moment captured by Old Fashioned Dreamer Photography, serving Northern California

A breath in the intensity of it
Above moment captured by Old Fashioned Dreamer Photography, serving Northern California

Resting in the endorphin rush
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Working with baby
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

Support
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

I love this picture… adoration and love radiating!
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

(NOTE: Want a Perfect Birth Plan Template? Use this template and step-by-step videos to write a birth plan that gets your birth team on your side for a beautiful birth experience! Get the birth plan kit here.)

This one says “there you are” just so beautifully
Above moment captured by Journey of Birth Photography, serving Southern California

Those wonderful first touches!
Above moment captured by Journey of Birth Photography, serving Southern California

Precious moments
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

The joy of this reward
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

So much joy in birth… in mothering… in having the space to do this work
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

Daddy's joy
Above moment captured by Journey of Birth Photography, serving Southern California

Can you feel her elation?!
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

So wet, so new, so happy!
Above moment captured by Shoots & Giggles, serving Los Angeles & Orange County

This is the amazing reward <3  Nothing quite so breathtaking as a newborn babe and a newborn mama.
Above moment captured by Photo: Art by Jessica, serving Aurora CO & Tucson AZ

(NOTE: Want a Perfect Birth Plan Template? Use this template and step-by-step videos to write a birth plan that gets your birth team on your side for a beautiful birth experience! Get the birth plan kit here.)