Being doula/photographer is my new journey...

Becoming a doula is a beautiful gift to me. At the beginning of this year, one day, I just woke up and knew (inspiration was just flowing through me), that I can incorporate being a doula perfectly into my life. Professional and personal. As a photographer, I can capture beautiful pregnancy pictures, capture the birth itself and pictures of the baby and the family with new baby after the birth.
As a caring and loving woman, who wants to empower myself and other women to become the full potential we are, it's a wonderful opportunity to be present to a miracle we call life. To be at the very beginning of welcoming the new being into this world. To be there for the birthing mom and her partner and baby.
I started my doula training online few months ago, and I've already had the blessing of being at my first birth. It was my friend Viki with her husband Andor and their baby Alma.
It was a hospital birth @Mercy Scripps in Hilcrest, San Diego. I have to say, that the nurses were very nice and helpful, except one little strange one, but luckily, after half hour or so, she left and never came back.

 My friend did as natural birth at the hospital as possible, but there is still some intrusion, measuring the contractions, IV, etc..
But other than that, they pretty much left us there alone a lot of the time, which was nice. Because we could concentrate on the present moment. What a beautiful present moment. I couldn't really think of anything else. It was definitely very special.. How powerful the life force is!! It won't give you any other option than to be right there, not to think about anything else..
I'm still wrapping up around this whole experience and it's hard to find words for it. I know that my friend was experiencing pain, but at the same time, the encouragement and support was so important for her.
The only down part of that experience was the fact, that the doctor didn't come for about half an hour through her pushing contractions, which became super frustrating for my friend and unnecessary extra pain.

Once the doctor came in, it took only about half hour to push the baby and it was sooo amazing for me to see the flexibility and magnificence of the women's ability to give life.

I believe that any woman should be present at one birth at least once in her life, other than her own children.

I felts so much emotions and such a profound deep respect for her, as woman and mother. And it stuck with me. It's sooo divine to be present to such miracle. It is indescribable in words..
And how it warmed my heart, when I brought over her other two children in the hospital and after welcoming their new sister and having a beautiful peaceful family time (that I captured here and there...), her 8 years old son told me: Barbora, it's so great that you are here, because you can capture all these beautiful pictures of us for us.

 First minutes of the baby's life...

 With her daddy...
 Together with both of her parents...

 So much love, care and very beautiful, strong emotions... Beautiful family welcoming it's newest member.

This was such a precious moment.. The big brother was just saying.. We are both gonna be your knights to protect and love you!!!

And last but not least.. it's me, with the beautiful baby....

I feel so much love, appreciation and blessing for this beautiful new path, opportunity to be at service and part of life altering experience...


Here is a short slideshow of some pictures from the birthing day...
http://havlickova.com/~ALMA/Alma-birh-short.m4v