the day you were born

Birth photography www.arrenmills.com

[thedayyouwereborn]

“Welcome home” and “nice to finally meet you” in one 😭😭 (at FIRST COAST Midwifery Services LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDoMK0zjftk/?igshid=axxpjjmw1oa7

[thedayyouwereborn]

Teiraney and Dominique welcomed their second child into the world the other morning. Throughout the night, she mentioned how much different a home birth is from her experience in a hospital; how much more freedom, how much less stressful it all is. Hospital births are not “bad,” but they do have procedures and protocols in place to lessen your control over the situation, if you do not know how to advocate for yourself. On this morning, we watched a mom listen to her body, we saw her make decisions for herself, this morning we saw mutual trust between mama and her health providers which led to guiding a baby into this world. This is what we need more of in the world! Stories like these make mamas know that YOU have control and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise 💙 Midwives @firstcoastmidwifery @mayathemidwife Midwife student @oniwosan_tani_jo (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCn9tV6D9Wy/?igshid=ykweg8puhl5s

[thedayyouwereborn]

We need to normalize teaching our girls about their bodies and give them REAL sexual education. Shame does not fit in the curriculum of body positivity, so why do we enter this necessary conversation with embarrassment? We are not protecting them by prolonging the conversation. By teaching girls about their body and its functions, we turn their fear into knowledge also known as woman empowerment. This is Maizy, she is 5-years-old. She watched her mom access another level of strength and birth her baby brother without medication. Don’t let her age surprise you, she had the capacity to understand the setting and provide comfort to her mama. The first image is my favorite, mostly because you can tell Maizy was tired but her excitement and curiosity kept her close. Her parents did not fight her curious mind and they simply let her be a part of this experience. Sometimes that is the best way to educate, to not filter the natural. (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCOfUVOjpBa/?igshid=1t5o9nossft1t

[thedayyouwereborn]

It’s time we start sharing stories to disprove the stereotypes against #blackfatherhood. There are all kinds of myths about black fathers, but the data provided by the Center for Disease Control CDC) shows where black fathers have access to their children, they prove to be the most involved parents than their white or Hispanic counterparts even when they are unmarried. The CDC data shows that black fathers are more likely than their white or Hispanic counterparts to play with, eat with, feed, bathe, dress, and read to their children. So before you confirm any stereotypes in your head, read these stats and look at these pictures, hear these stories. #blackfathersmatter #blacklivesmatter everyday https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3bGBeD332/?igshid=1nx1oxjbguj0p

[thedayyouwereborn]

The many faces of Baby C 💙 really want to thank this beautiful family for allowing me to witness a strong mother, a thoughtful father, and a ~10 lb baby being birthed at home. So MANY words for this, but these pictures will have to do until then. (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvGk2PDCnd/?igshid=14vr4mmm310oi

[thedayyouwereborn]

#thedayyouwereborn our hearts couldn’t stop smiling 💙 #homebirth #waterbirthbaby (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtS--TDPBr/?igshid=1o8mukhvfqfm3

[thedayyouwereborn]

When your five-year-daughter is basically a #birthdoula 😭 what a gift to have a child with so much social awareness and empathy, literally #parentinggoals on so many different levels. M was born to be a big sister 💙 (at FIRST COAST Midwifery Services LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqAxvVjOfx/?igshid=qa5i4py58zwf

[thedayyouwereborn]

Greeted by the whole family and their tears of joy 😭💙 Truly, Dad and big sister got me like 😭😭 in the second photo. What a welcome party! (at FIRST COAST Midwifery Services LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnPAbGg3sj/?igshid=1ssybdkj1wehx

[thedayyouwereborn]

~inhale~ 4... 3... 2... 1... ~exhale~ release your... fears... worries... doubts... ~inhale~ accept all the good... energy... opportunities... love... Repeatx4 (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAP7UhEAXY5/?igshid=6vqj9yrnf54d

[thedayyouwereborn]

When we first met 💙😭 https://www.instagram.com/p/CANJ1YVAiCs/?igshid=187w0m2z6m6ik

[thedayyouwereborn]

If you’re sitting in the same room as your child right now — you are one of the lucky ones. Take a second to breathe in their smell, to look into their eyes, to touch their little cheeks because there will be a day when they will just be sense that cannot be realized. Praying so hard for an intention today. (at FIRST COAST Midwifery Services LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIxX4CjSiS/?igshid=jgscx3dij3dy

[thedayyouwereborn]

What do baby dream of when they take a little baby snooze? (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAF5R72javo/?igshid=1c3fut3ak3i1i

[thedayyouwereborn]

To all my mamas, the ones I’ve worked with, the ones who I’ve spoken to, the ones I’ve connected with over spilled milk and cold hot coffee, the mamas who give birth naturally or via c section, the ones who give adopt or foster, the mamas who show up every GD day — I have so much love for you. Your work goes unnoticed every day but you (quite literally) GIVE life and you love endlessly behind closed doors. Here’s to you, raising your little humans to become great humans 💕 #youdidthat #mothersday #empoweringwomen #motherhoodunplugged (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAsNfbD_ME/?igshid=1meig0vkm6vq9

[thedayyouwereborn]

My kinda maternity shoot 💕 can’t wait to share this birth story when baby comes ✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-mMmpDhfQ/?igshid=1tx3aitmuccc5

[thedayyouwereborn]

Being the youngest truly does have its benefits 🥰 (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_7vOFoDGK2/?igshid=18024zb50bgo6

[thedayyouwereborn]

I want what’s best for her. #sisters #sistersquad #sisterforever 💕 (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_46RGujrCR/?igshid=t9b4pv1s5gxv

[thedayyouwereborn]

Journeys will always be different; your journey into and through motherhood will definitely be different. Who cares if all of your friends breastfeed, or that your mother thinks that formula isn’t good for your son or daughter — what matters is that baby is fed and baby is love. #fedisbest #fedisbestwhetherbottleorbreast #dontjudgejustfeed (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xRB7NDjxl/?igshid=148mfparpu8tv