When our midwives first asked us who our doula was back in my first trimester we said we hadn’t planned on having one. They highly (highly) recommended that we get one, so we immediately started researching doulas. I was interested in having a doula that also did birth photography and happened upon Gwen’s website. And all I can say is that my birth wouldn’t have been possible without her. The minute we spoke to her, we just felt at ease and that we would be cared for. I wanted someone I felt safe with, but also not afraid to just do. I didn’t want someone timid. Gwen is the perfect balance of gentle and forthright. On top of all that, we were embarking on this pregnancy amidst a global pandemic. We didn’t have any family near us. No one to be by our side. Gwen made us feel secure in this world with very little security. I also wasn’t aware that there was such thing as a back labor. That is, until I was in the throws of it. Every contraction, every feeling, every little thing was in my back and I needed continuous pressure on my back all day. My husband did a great deal of helping, but if it wasn’t for Gwen’s hip squeezes, I don’t know what I would have done. She came to our house around 12pm and she was there all the way until our son was born at the hospital at 9:22pm. She even stayed after and made sure we ate something and were all set before we were transferred to our postpartum unit. She was my constant, a calm reassurance, and I really don’t know what I would have done without her. It’s hard to imagine having someone you don’t fully know be a part of something so special, so intimate, so hard, and all so wonderful - but Gwen never felt like a stranger. She was a key part of our birth story, and I am so thankful we found her. The pictures are an amazing bonus. Having these memories from my birth are priceless and I know we will cherish them forever.
- S + D
“Having serendipitously found Gwen of Re:Birth to not only provide support as a doula, but photograph our transcendent home birth was such a gift. Her gentle and calming spirit is abundant and perfectly suited for the birth space. She is confident in her skills not only as a doula, but as a thoughtful and talented photo/video documentarian of labor and birth experiences. I felt supported and trusted to follow my intuition during labor and the presence of her camera never once felt intrusive. The photos returned to us will be treasured for a lifetime.”
- D + G
“We were lucky to have Gwen document two of our three children's births. The photographs of my second uncomplicated vaginal labor and delivery remind me of the joyous, empowering occasion. Alternatively, the weeks leading up to my third birth were difficult as it was a planned caesarean and bringing Gwen on board was a way I could gain some control over a situation that wasn't going my way. Acting as more than a photographer, she empowered me, using photography to heal me. My perspective changed after viewing the birth in photos. My child exited my body, powered by my own sacrifice and love, through a surgical opening, and I have redefined this experience as my most mother-making birth. My husband and I realized Gwen's presence in the room helped us remain calm and our interactions between each other more gentle than with our first birth. She's a great presence in the room- affirming, intuitive, supportive and kind. The photos are beautiful and tell our stories, two very different stories! I highly recommend Gwen to photograph your child's birth!”
- M, mom to 3
“Gwen is remarkably compassionate, creative, and talented. She communicated with us throughout the birth experience. When the big day arrived, she showed up at the hospital early armed with gatorade (special request). She brought warm lighting and aromatics and created an environment that gave me much needed peace. Throughout the delivery, she was calm, adaptive, supportive, and an advocate for us. When I ended up having an emergency c-section, she had grit and stayed with us for hours past midnight. Throughout she was supportive, she even came to our home pre-delivery to give us a birthing ball and newborn insert for an ergo baby, and postpartum, she followed up with us and came back to our home with homemade stew, snacks, hugs, comfort, and compassion. Gwen has a genuine passion for the work she does and it shows. She also documented our birth journey on camera (as we requested). Looking through her beautiful photos reminded us that there were moments of joy, despite the pain and struggle. We are grateful to have had Gwen with us and championing us through one of the most precious moments of our lives. Thank you.”
- J + B