Home Waterbirth with Shoulder Dystocia

Labor flowed smoothly in those early hours, mama finding her rhythm as dawn painted the room in gentle light. I documented the quiet strength of a woman who had done this before, who knew her body's power, and who trusted the process.

But birth has its way of reminding us to stay humble. As Stella began her final journey earthside, skilled midwife hands recognized what mothers have known for generations - sometimes babies need a little help finding their way. A shoulder dystocia, that heart-stopping moment when a baby's shoulder catches, was met with calm expertise and swift action.

These are the moments that remind us why midwifery skills matter. Why the ancient knowledge of helping babies turn and emerge safely has been passed down through generations. In capable hands, what could have been an emergency became simply another part of Stella's unique birth story.