As the year draws to a close, I find myself looking back on the highlighting moments that 2024 brought into my life and practice. This year, I had the honor of supporting eight incredible families as their doula - welcoming six baby girls and two baby boys into the world. Through my lens, I also captured the beauty and raw emotion of birth stories, and I’m deeply grateful to those who allowed me to share these images as part of my portfolio.
After eight years as a doula and two years as birth photographer, I continue to be amazed by how unique every birth is. No two journeys are the same, even for the same mother. Each birth is a reflection of the parents’ personalities, priorities, and love - a testament to the power of human connection.
Over the years, I’ve learned that while books and birth plans are helpful, birth itself has a way of surprising us in the most beautiful and powerful ways. Let me take you through some of the lessons, connections, and unforgettable moments that shaped this year.
1. Every Birth is Unique - and That’s amazing
Sometimes, even after months of preparation, following a books and written birth plans, a mother comes into labor with fear - especially if it’s her first baby, influenced by stories they have heard from other people. And yet, I’ve seen those births unfold into calm, manageable, and beautiful experiences. On the other hand, some women come in convinced they won’t use medical pain relief, but when birthing process progress they decide to have one, and that’s perfectly okay, too. What I’ve learned is that there’s no “right” way to birth - it’s your way. I’ve witnessed the incredible beauty of women moving, breathing, and opening up to birth. Birth teaches us to trust our bodies, to follow instincts, and to tune out the noise of what others say. And my role? I’m there to guide and ease the journey, never to dictate it.
2. A Good Birth Looks Different for Everyone
In our prenatal meetings I always ask : ''What does a good birth mean to you, what are your priorities?'' The answers are different, because every family is different.
Some say their only priority is a healthy baby. Others want a pain-free birth, a fast delivery, or a moment to use their essential oils, warm bath, dimmed light or a playlist they have been putting together for months before birth. I’ve even seen parents disappointed when labor happened too quickly for them to use those special details! This year reinforced something I’ve always believed: a good birth is one that honors your priorities, even if plans change. I’ve seen families go through challenging labors, but because they were surrounded by love, care, and positivity, they still remember it as one of the most beautiful and powerful moments of their lives.
3. Connection Speaks Louder Than Words
So much of my work as a doula is about connection with no words. I often make eye contact with partners, silently assuring them everything is going just as it should. Partners, by the way, are incredible. They rarely need reminders to hug, kiss, or massage mama. Watching the way a partner knows exactly how to comfort the birthing mother in her love language - it melts my heart every time. I also rely on nonverbal communication with moms. Sometimes I am hands off almost all birth just because it felt right or because it was unspoken energy in the room. I've had to learn body language along with other languages. As a multilingual doula, I’ve also learned that language can deepen trust. Many of the families I work with speak Polish or Latvian or English, and being able to communicate in their native tongue often creates a sense of safety during such a vulnerable time.
4. The Strength of Love and Teamwork
One thing that deepened my belief in love this year is the care a birth team gives a mother after birth. Labor takes so much out of a woman ,that often she can’t even lift herself onto the bed after baby is born. It’s beautiful to see everyone come together - partner, midwife and doula to support her, feed her, help her latch the baby, and even get her into the shower. This care is love in action.
5. The Privilege of Being a Doula
After eight years, I still cry at births. Every single one. Those first moments of meeting a baby, they just always gets me. Tears of joy, the love, it just get me every time. I feel like a mother figure for the women I support. She can cry in my arms, rest in my arms, and use my strength and love when they need it. Being invited into a family’s birth story is a privilege I never take for granted.
It’s like carrying a secret superpower - something only the families I’ve served truly understand. Every birth I’ve attended has shaped me, taught me, and filled my heart with gratitude.
Looking Ahead to 2025
This year brought some unexpected changes for me. After years of working in the flower industry, I had to make the difficult decision to step away because of allergies that had been building up over year. It wasn’t something I ever planned for, and honestly, it was really hard to let go of something I loved so much.
But life has a way of steering us in new directions, and now I’m pouring my heart into my photography and doula work - and I couldn’t be happier. I feel so grateful to have other passions to lean into, and I’m reminded how important it is to have a plan B.
To the families I supported this year, thank you.
Thank you for trusting me to be part of such a vulnerable and transformative moment in your lives. Thank you for allowing me to hold space for you, guide you.
And to all the families I’ve worked with over the last eight years, you’ve taught me more than I could ever put into words. I carry your stories with me, always.
Of course, I couldn’t have done any of this without the endless support of my amazing husband. Thank you for always believing in me and helping make my dreams possible.
Here’s to 2025 and everything it holds!
If you’re expecting in 2025, I can’t wait to meet you and support you on this incredible journey.
With love,
Cindy
