Simply magical: Photographer shares (striking) images of a mother giving birth… at home (See Photos)

For one woman, there is nothing more sacred than capturing
the moment a mother gives birth.
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has been
practicing as a doula — a non-medical member of the birth
team who provides physical as well as emotional support
during labour — specialises in photography for families who
are interested in documenting their birth experience.
'Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event
in a woman's life,' the 29-year-old Vancouver resident told
Mail Online. 'As a doula and birth photographer, I witness
wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to
demystify the experience.'
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has been
practicing as a doula, specialises in photography for families
interested in documenting their birth experience
Recently, Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have
garnered acclaim for their beautiful and 'intense'
documentation of a home birth.
In one of the first images, the soon-to-be mother and
wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, plays the piano while
her sister massages her back. The series continues with Julia
getting into a birth pool as her husband, Chris, helps her to
breath deeply.
Two more sisters and the grandmother and grandfather
then join the room to experience the first moments with
baby Katherine together.
Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered
acclaim for their beautiful documentation of a home birth
with soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia
Marincat, and her husband Chris (pictured)
'Too
often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a
woman's life,' said Ms Dives. 'I witness wonderful births, and
think they should be shared in order to demystify the
experience'
'When I arrived at this home birth Mama was playing the
piano. The mood was peaceful, with candles lit and soft
music on in the background. Mama was surrounded by love.
Her partner, her doula, and two of her sisters were there,
caring for her,' writes Ms Dives on her blog.
'Photographing a home birth is usually very peaceful and
comfortable. At a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly
who they want to have present, so they are able to be
themselves, which I believe is a very important part of
birthing, especially for the mother,' she adds.
'Seeing a being come into the world is quite special, and to be
asked to document that moment in time, is the pinnacle of
documentary photography for me. Usually, when I am
photographing a birth I am also very involved in the
experience. It's definitely up close and personal, which I
love.'
The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as
her husband, Chris, helps her to breath deeply
'At
a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly who they want
to have present, so they are able to be themselves, which I
believe is a very important part of birthing, especially for the
mother,' said Ms Dives
In 2010 Ms Dives was drawn into the realm of childbirth
when she was introduced to a doula and was inspired to
become one herself.
She attended the DONA-approved doula training
at Canada's Douglas College, before signing up to be a
member of the Doula Services Association, where she was
quickly put to work as a volunteer doula for single mothers
and couples who were new to the country with a lack of
family support.
As a doula, Ms Dives assists a woman and her partner
before, during, and after childbirth by providing information,
physical assistance, and emotional support. She also offers
education, massage, visualization and relaxation techniques.
For Mrs Marincat, the possibility of having a home birth was
brought forward by her sister; after meeting with a doula
and doing a lot of research, the idea became a preferred
reality
'At
first, several people warned them against home births,
listing many dangers. But they loved the idea of a birth
without an epidural or medical interventions,' explained Ms
Dives
'They
felt comfortable knowing that they had two knowledgeable
and experienced midwifes and a doula to support them,'
explained Ms Dives
'Three years ago, when I started this work, I wasn't
necessarily afraid of birthing, but I was definitely very
unaware of the vast options that women have with regards
to how, where, and with whom they choose to birth,' said
Ms Dives.
'The average woman is unaware of these choices, because
they simply aren't shared in the mainstream. I hope my
images will open doors for women who otherwise might not
have known what their options are.'
Ms Dives, who is also the primary volunteer photographer
for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit organization
that provides remembrance photography for parents who
have lost an infant, has been photographing home births
since the very first birth she attended as a doula when the
mother asked her to take some snaps to keep as mementos.
Ms Dives said: 'Seeing a being come into the world is quite
special, and to be asked to document that moment in time, is
the pinnacle of documentary photography for me'
Ms Dives, who is also a volunteer photographer for Now I
Lay Me Down to Sleep, has been capturing home births since
the first birth she attended as a doula when the mother
asked her to take some pictures
'A day or so after I first posted the images on my blog I
received an email that said "I'm not pregnant at the moment
nor planning to become pregnant any time soon, but I know
now that when the time comes to go into labor one day,
there is nothing to be afraid of. Thanks a million!" That
pretty much sums up why I think it's important to share
images that reflect birth positively,' she said.
Ms Dives says she is hopeful that her images with resonate
with other women, showing them first hand that a home
birth is 'not a wild and erratic choice'.
'Perhaps this will encourage those who are curious about it,
to do the research. They might find that the their skepticism
will be quelled by statistics that prove home birth is just as
safe as hospital birth for low risk women,' she said.
Ms Dives says she is hopeful that her images with resonate
with other women, showing them first hand that a home
birth is 'not a wild and erratic choice'
'Perhaps
this will encourage those who are curious about it, to do the
research. Their skepticism might be quelled by statistics that
prove home birth is just as safe as hospital birth for low risk
women,' said Ms Dives
In Mrs Marincat's instance, the possibility of having a home
birth was brought forward by her sister.
And after meeting with a doula and doing a lot of
research, the idea became a preferred reality.
'At first, several people warned them against home births,
listing many dangers. But they loved the idea of a birth
without an epidural or medical interventions,' explained Ms
Dives.
'They felt comfortable knowing that they had two
knowledgeable and experienced midwifes and a doula to
support them.'

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