birth

Speedy Home Birth

Lorel Hartley birth, birth photography, birth stories, home birth, Hypnobabies, incredible journey, self-hypnosis 0 Comment

This was the second time I was invited to this family’s birth space. The first was a planned birth center birth that resulted in a transfer due to high blood pressure. When she got pregnant with baby #2 she knew she wanted a home birth, but she would never have guessed the journey that was in store. Here’s her story…

My Birth Story: Hank Warner Chesal 12-15-14

This was going to be my second natural childbirth and first homebirth – I was very excited. With my first child, June, I went into labor the day after my EDD so I didn’t expect my second child to be very far Read More >>

Birth Photography – I See the Light!

Lorel Hartley birth, birth photography, incredible journey, learning and growth, life experience, life's lessons, trades 1 Comment

As you probably know by perusing through my blog, I’m a doula.  I love all things birth.  Birth photography being one of the things I enjoy looking at.  Up till recently I really didn’t get what the fuss was. I mean, sure I like looking at the photos.  I just didn’t get why more and more people are choosing to have their births photographed.  It seems to now be as common as having the support of a doula. 

I thought I might have a friend present to take pictures of baby # 3s birth.  That seemed to make the most sense. Then it happened…I Read More >>

Home Water Birth

Lorel Hartley birth, birth stories, breastfeeding, home birth, Hypnobabies, incredible journey, learning and growth, life experience, life's lessons, midwifery, self-hypnosis, water birth 7 Comments


Below is the story of how my daughter was born the Sunday before last…

Dana Faye’s Birth Story

On Saturday July 13th, at 40 weeks 2 days, I started having irregular surges.  This was nothing new since I had been having them in increasing intensity for three weeks.  I also had been making frequent trips to the bathroom and had been experiencing lots of Read More >>

VBAC Hospital Birth

Lorel Hartley birth, birth stories, hospital birth, rising above cultural norms, VBAC 0 Comment

The following birth story is written by a friend I supported last September.  Her story includes the birth of her first child since it sets the tone for the VBAC of her second child.  This woman is both powerful and amazing.  I hope you enjoy her journey as much as I enjoyed witnessing it.  🙂

I had my first son in 2006. I planned an all natural birth with no meds in the hospital. I wasn’t thrilled with my doctor because he wouldn’t listen to my concerns when I told him my baby was not in position and was breeched. He took me as young and dumb or Read More >>

Community Blessingway

Lorel Hartley birth, blessingway, community, pregnancy 0 Comment

This past weekend I attended a community Blessingway put on by Gelena Hinkley of Peaceful Pregnancy Pathways ~P3.  I wasn’t sure what to expect since I know a gathering of this type isn’t easy to put together.  Especially since Gelena was relying on the community to donate resources, which takes time and effort to seek out and coordinate.

The setting took place in Gelena’s backyard.  She formed a circle with bales of hay and chairs, topped with trinkets and papers for the expecting mothers to keep.  In front of the seats of the expecting mothers were tubs Read More >>

Third Trimester Update

Lorel Hartley birth, birth stories, home birth, midwifery, photography, pregnancy, trades 0 Comment

As pregnancy #3 winds to an end, I’ve been very busy tying up loose ends and making last minute preparations.  I’ve made a lot of great connections and participated in some amazing trades of products and services. 

I enjoyed my last birth as a doula the end of May.  The birth story is here in case you missed it.  I have to say that I’m so glad I decided to take that last one on.  The couple both happen to be photographers and got some amazing photos of the birth which can be found here.  Read More >>

Hospital Water Birth

Lorel Hartley birth, birth stories, doula, hospital birth, Hypnobabies, midwifery, nursing, self-hypnosis, water birth 2 Comments
This family found me through Hypnobabies.  I was not planning on taking anymore births since I wanted to give myself enough time to prepare for my own upcoming birth in July.  Though when I got the initial email my heart was immediately drawn to this family.  It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the attraction was, but I knew that I needed to consider this opportunity further based on how our online communication went.  Not only did this family need support for their Hypnobabies preparation, but they were seeking a water birth with a midwife who had just recently started practicing again.  This particular midwife had taken a break after being restricted from offering families alternative options typically found in out of hospital birth settings. 

The hospital they chose has a water birth policy in effect (where babies can actually be born in the water), but having that reality actually transpire is a different story given the hospitals sparse experience with it.  The fact that few providers have experience with this mode of birth makes it a bit tricky too.  So it seemed to me that this midwife choice might be the ticket for this family to have this option actually manifest.  

I knew that this family could use all the support they could get, and I was excited at the prospect to be a part of the team.  Read More >>

YourWaterBirth.com Discount

Lorel Hartley birth, doula, home birth, water birth 0 Comment

I now have a doula account with:

If you are interested in purchasing a birth pool or one of their many systems or kits, please contact me for my discount code to get 10% off your order.

I just bought this pool for my own upcoming birth in July:

I got the set that comes with a liner and a cover.  I’m very excited since the fishy pool I used last time left a lot to be desired.  I know I’ll definitely appreciate the handles on this one as well as the narrow shape when it comes time to push.

Yay for water birth!  😀

Does opting out of hard work put us at a disadvantage?

Lorel Hartley birth, breastfeeding, hard work, life experience, pain 0 Comment

Pain, discomfort, suffering…

Many see these words and want to run the other way.  Who in their right mind would want to suffer when there are ways to bypass it? Let’s consider the word “pain”.  The English language does not distinguish between varying levels of pain as opposed to other languages that have multiple variations for the sensations we experience (or so I’ve been told by my foreign friends).  It’s a valid word for experiences that are traumatic in nature, but =&0=&After all, the discomforts felt during these processes is much different from breaking an arm or getting a root canal done.

I think that it’s more accurate to recognize that the sensations that women experience during these processes have a purpose and that much learning can happen when women learn to navigate accordingly.  The pain that surfaces during these processes is our body’s way of telling us to do something different.  That there’s an imbalance present.  I believe that suffering happens when we do not respond to the messages our body sends us.  Therefore, if we listen and respond we can avoid unnecessary suffering. Read More >>