by Natalie Broders, Portland Birth Photographer Treating Engorgement Let me take a guess. When you were pregnant, you probably prepared for birth. Did you read books? Check. Take a class? Check. Prepare for breastfeeding? *crickets* Girl, same. Absolutely NOTHING could have prepared me for the engorgement that happened on day 3 or 4 – when […]

Anyone who’s ever been pregnant will nod in solemn agreement when you talk about the end of pregnancy. Not only is the end physically trying, it’s emotionally and mentally exhausting, too. Sophia’s first son was born two weeks late. She expected to go late again – but that didn’t make it any easier. 40 weeks […]

Jackie wanted to go into labor on her own. Her first two babies were inductions, and she wanted to see what it would be like. They went ahead and scheduled her induction the week after her due date. The clock was ticking. She wanted to know her body could do this. She wanted to know […]

by Natalie Broders, Portland Birth Photographer Skin to skin: WHY is it important immediately after birth? Did you know that immediate skin to skin is one of the most effective methods for promoting exclusive breastfeeding short AND long term? Skin to skin contact: promotes bonding between mother and baby Helps baby maintain body temperature better […]

Note from birth photographer Natalie Broders: Trigger warning: Infant resuscitation. This is a birth that shook me to my core. It took time for all of us to process what had happened. Everyone is okay. We are all so grateful for baby Camden, every single time we see him. I will never forget the superhuman […]

You may have heard of the 4th trimester… But what is it?

There’s a new trend I keep hearing about called a blessingway. It’s basically the opposite of a baby shower.

Look, not everyone wants to be bombarded with well-meaning family members immediately after birth.

When a birthing mother is allowed to feel safe and secure in the privacy of a dark room surrounded by people she knows and trusts, she is 10 times more likely to experience the Fetal Ejection Reflex (FER) during the second stage of labor (pushing). It’s widely known that when a woman experiences stress or […]

Have you or anyone you know practiced the 40 days of rest postpartum? It’s the idea that the postpartum mother must rest during this sacred period of time immediately following birth. During this time, your only job is to fall in love with your baby and learn to breastfeed. Many mamas who practice 40 days […]