Ingrid
My first birth was demanding and complicated and ended in an emergency C-section, so when I was expecting my second child, I wanted a better experience.
I needed someone who would stand up for me, who truly saw me, and who had enough experience to help me feel safe about what lay ahead. Someone who saw me as a person and as a woman in labour – not as a medical case, a schedule and countless procedures.
I had, and still have, faith in the Norwegian healthcare system, but in this situation I needed something more – call it a more human touch.
I had never heard of a "doula" before, but I happened to come across a photo Eva Rose had taken and became curious about her as a photographer. After a bit of scrolling, I discovered that as well as taking beautiful photographs, she could also offer help and support during birth.
It was exactly what I needed, so I got in touch!
She would go on to join my husband and me for the birth of our second child – as both doula and photographer.
In the run-up to the birth, I read several books about childbirth, had wonderful conversations with Eva Rose, and was very clear about my wishes and feelings with the maternity ward and the midwife who looked after me during my pregnancy.
There was a special sense of security in knowing that Eva Rose would be there. In a way, she was my "advocate" during the birth, which felt incredibly important, as I hadn't felt truly seen or heard during my first birth.
When labour began, I felt calm and confident, because Eva Rose, my husband and I were all prepared – we were a team. Eva was present and supported us, but much of the time she was like "a fly on the wall", and everything felt natural. I never once thought about her taking photos, as she was so discreet. And the moment I needed emotional or physical support, she was right there.
Looking back, it almost felt as though I had a mother figure by my side.
The birth was an exact replica of my first: a long, drawn-out labour that left me extremely weak and exhausted after many hours. On top of that, I had constant, severe back pain.
At 6–7 cm dilated, I was given an epidural and an oxytocin drip. The epidural felt absolutely necessary to help me regain my strength, and the drip was needed to keep labour progressing.
After a day and a half, I was finally fully dilated and could start actively pushing. After a while, a doctor was called in, as they suspected the baby was back-to-back. An ultrasound confirmed this – which finally explained the constant pain in my back.
In the end, it was an emergency C-section this time too, due to lack of progress and suspected fetopelvic disproportion – which occurs when there is a mismatch between the size or shape of the baby's head or body and the space in the mother's pelvis.
On paper, it was a copy of my traumatic first birth, but the feelings I'm left with are something else entirely! I felt safe the whole way through, and truly seen and heard. We were all one team, and the midwives on the maternity ward were fantastic! I'm quite certain of one thing: I have Eva Rose to thank for this positive experience.
It's a little sad to feel that you need an "advocate" with you during birth in order to feel safe, but I'm so glad I made the choice to have a doula.
I was lucky enough to have Eva Rose with me again when our third child arrived! This time the circumstances were completely different: a planned C-section. That was a wonderful experience too! And the fact that all of it has been photographed is truly incredible. We look through the albums several times a year. Worth every penny.
My third birth
I was lucky enough to have Eva Rose with me again when our third child arrived! This time the circumstances were completely different: a planned C-section. That was a wonderful experience too! And the fact that all of it has been photographed is truly incredible. We look through the albums several times a year. Worth every penny.
Gallery
