Samantha Martin Photographer » Virginia, DC, Wedding Photographer

      My Maternity pictures, Why I am choosing a homebirth – plus a GIVEAWAY!!!

      When my husband and I found out we were expecting baby #2, I immediately started planning my birth experience!  So..why do I want a homebirth?? It goes back to my birth experience with my son, Owen. I wanted to go into labor naturally and deliver drug free, like most women do, however once i was admitted to the hospital, i was tied down with IVs, contraction machine, heart monitor, blood pressure cuff, in a stiff hospital bed that was killing my already hurting back! I felt like a prisoner, and like I had no say in my birth! (I now know that I DID have a say, but my Dr was kind of a bully, so she intimidated me) But as a first time mom, with no family around, I admit that I was SO scared!! I didnt trust my body and I believed the Drs when they told me “this can be unsafe, we HAVE to do it that way instead” I was in the hospital for maybe an hour and they were already discussing pitocin and C-section options for the next day, talk about scared!! God heard my prayers that night because I had my baby boy without the help from pitocin and no c-section! However, the nurses knew i wanted to deliver without medicine, as soon as i was complaining of pain and trying to get comfortable [impossible when your strapped down!] the nurse rushes in and offers me relief in the form of an epidural, I declined the first time, then she came in again and offered me something oral which I did take, and it was just awful, I was dazed and confused! Within another hour, she was back with the anesthesiologist offering me a epidural while he was making his rounds, so in pain and vulnerable, I said yes! After having my son I began to research the other options, I watched documentaries [The Business of Being Born is a good one!] spoke with other moms and decided that we would go as natural as possible this time around, I don’t NEED the drugs to have my baby, I need support and confidence in myself and my body! Attending Bradley Classes really changed the game for us, and made us feel so confident in my body and what it is capable of! I mean it is called LABOR after all! We are birthing a new LIFE!! That is a good type of pain!! [ I say that now..;) ] I have a team of midwives (Tiny Toes Midwifery) that I trust completely to assist me in my homebirth, and a fully coached hubby who is ready to take charge and coach me through the toughest parts of labor, I know that I can do it, and I know that my body and my baby know what to do! The stats on homebirth vs hospital birth is such a huge difference, as well as the stats on midwife vs OBGYN! I want a low intervention, unmedicated, free to go wherever I want, free to labor as long as my body and baby need to [as long as we are both doing OK of course] homebirth! Also, I am so excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl – and since it is a surprise until the baby arrives, I am hosting a giveaway, keep scrolling to see!!

       

      We had our maternity pictures taken by Nicole Johnson Photography last weekend, and I edited them myself, she did great!! I LOVE how they came out! I cannot thank her enough for capturing this special time in our families life!! Here are a few of my favorites from our maternity session, I am 35 weeks here! 🙂

       

      Some of you know that we have kept baby M’s gender a secret until the birth, so I thought it would be fun to host a little giveaway in honor of the gender reveal!! So what do you think?? Boy..or Girl??  All you have to do to enter is click on the rafflecopter link on the page and follow the directions! The giveaway will also be on my facebook page! you can enter to win one of two prizes! The first prize is a FREE 2015 mini session for you or your family, or you can gift it. [valued at 175$] and the 2nd prize is a $25 gift card to target! [my favorite store..duh!] after the baby is born I will announce the gender, and choose the winner from the correct gender entries 🙂

      a Rafflecopter giveaway

       ^^^^^^CLICK THERE!! ^^^^^^

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      • Ashley Stretton - September 25, 2014 - 4:03 pm

        GIRL!!!!!!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Kelly Reyes - September 25, 2014 - 5:25 pm

        Girl! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Kelli de Sousa - September 25, 2014 - 5:28 pm

        Girl! Praying for an awesome home birth for you guys! I know you can do it! Can’t wait to meet the new baby!ReplyCancel

      • Beth Emelander - September 25, 2014 - 5:44 pm

        I’m voting baby M is a girl!ReplyCancel

      • Jenn - September 25, 2014 - 6:20 pm

        I’m gonna say BOY! Our homebirth with our second child was an amazing experience, and we are looking forward to another homebirth this winter as we prepare to welcome another tiny life! Blessings, Sam, and I know it will be an incredible experience for your whole family 😉ReplyCancel

      • Danica Bowers - September 25, 2014 - 6:38 pm

        Im voting BOY!!!ReplyCancel

      • Heather Anderson - September 25, 2014 - 6:54 pm

        The other day in class Pwen told me he wanted a brother so I’m gonna vote BOY!!! Praying for a safe labor and healthy baby and mommy.ReplyCancel

      • Aundrea Chichester - September 25, 2014 - 7:26 pm

        You are an amazing momma and woman! You, your body, and your husband know what to do and you will rock this home birth! I’m hoping you’ll share about your experience 🙂 I think baby Martin will be another little boy! I’m sending you strong, positive thoughts!ReplyCancel

        • admin - September 26, 2014 - 1:16 am

          Thank you so much! I will definitely be blogging about my experience with the homebirth! i cant wait! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Danielle sweet - September 26, 2014 - 12:20 am

        Girl! I said do from the beginning and I’m sticking to it! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Amy Harmon - September 26, 2014 - 3:22 am

        Girl, because of how you’re carrying! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Lauren Hoinkis - September 27, 2014 - 1:15 am

        Boy! Its a year for boys 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Valerie - September 27, 2014 - 1:15 am

        TEAM PINK!!!ReplyCancel

      • Adrienne - September 28, 2014 - 4:50 pm

        i definitely say another sweet BOY!!!ReplyCancel

      • Sarah Weins - September 29, 2014 - 2:54 am

        I vote girl!! Praying you guys have a great homebirth!ReplyCancel

      • Kelly Mars - September 29, 2014 - 3:41 am

        I’m guessing boy! I too wish I had seen The Business of Being Born + read up more on birthing before I had my first. Wishing you the birth you desire!ReplyCancel

      • Natalie - September 29, 2014 - 12:04 pm

        Those portraits are gorgeous, sweet girl! You look so beautiful!ReplyCancel

        • admin - September 29, 2014 - 6:34 pm

          Thank you Natalie!! <3ReplyCancel

      • Anna Elizabeth Blue - September 29, 2014 - 6:02 pm

        Girl!! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Allyson Boop - September 30, 2014 - 4:48 pm

        I’m voting boy!ReplyCancel

      • Brenda - September 30, 2014 - 5:17 pm
      • Alexandra Anderson - October 1, 2014 - 2:20 pm

        My guess is Boy. Either way, congratulations and I wish you a safe delivery and a healthy baby!ReplyCancel

      • Erika W - October 1, 2014 - 2:24 pm

        Boy! 🙂 good luck with your homebirth! I hope you have a smooth and beautiful birth!ReplyCancel

      • Tiffany Anders - October 1, 2014 - 2:43 pm
      • Britiney Carkhuff - October 1, 2014 - 2:46 pm

        Girl. Good luck and congratsReplyCancel

      • mandy w - October 1, 2014 - 8:44 pm

        team PINKReplyCancel

      • Teresa - October 2, 2014 - 11:56 pm

        Girl! Fingers Crossed!!
        I cant wait to hear about home birth! That stuffis so interesting.ReplyCancel

      • Meghan Floirendo - October 3, 2014 - 1:03 am

        GIRL!!!! Pink pink pink pink!!ReplyCancel

      • Alica keiser - October 3, 2014 - 1:45 am

        Team pink ReplyCancel

      • Amy - October 3, 2014 - 4:18 pm

        Girl!:)ReplyCancel

      • Kari Tench - October 14, 2014 - 4:13 pm

        I vote BOY!!!!!! Seems like 2nd babies are always the same
        Gender as the first! Unless your really lucky! 🙂 good luck with the home birth!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • Ami Little - October 14, 2014 - 4:18 pm

        I’m voting boy !!!ReplyCancel

      • Elizabeth - October 14, 2014 - 5:00 pm

        Girl 🙂 I am 17 weeks pregnant and tried to talk my husband into a home birth but he said no…so we are doing it at the midwifery center in Norfolk. That’s the next best thing around here! Best of luck! Sending positive vibes your way!ReplyCancel

      • Elizabeth Moore - October 14, 2014 - 5:06 pm

        Girl 🙂 I am 17 weeks pregnant and tried to talk my husband into a home birth but he said no :-/ We are birthing at the Midwifery Center which is as close as it gets I guess! Sending positive vibes your way!ReplyCancel

        • admin - October 14, 2014 - 5:53 pm

          congrats on your pregnancy!! 🙂ReplyCancel

      • jennifer Morgan - October 14, 2014 - 6:07 pm

        I think baby M is a girly! Congrats and best wishes on your home birth!!ReplyCancel

      • lisa - October 15, 2014 - 2:19 am

        Boy!!!ReplyCancel

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