Birth

Giving birth has been on my mind a lot lately. I think it started because Owen is a year now, and that's just the time I always start to think about doing it all over again. I keep telling myself I'm not ready yet, but I can't seem to stop thinking about it or having the topic come up in various ways. I'm not sure if it's a sign that maybe it's time, or if it's all just a big coincidence. Honestly I'm just a little nervous to start from square one again! (the newborn phase) I feel like I'm really just getting back on my feet and feeling like life is smooth sailing again. I also feel like my body isn't where I'd like it to be yet either. I want to go into my next birth strong. I feel like I will do it at home again. There was one particular Midwife I was really interested in working with for my next birth named Briana Blackwelder. She seemed like such a sweet person, and some one I could really connect with and trust to help me through the birthing experience.

Sadly I will never get to have that experience with her because on April 23rd she and her brother were in a roll over car accident, they were both ejected from the car and she was killed from head injuries (her brother is in the hospital and will survive). The police think it was related to the rainy weather.

This beautiful video was made in memory of her. It's the filmmaker's son's birth, and the amazing photographs he added of her were taken by my good friend Alisha (who did have the privilege of having her as her midwife). It touched me so much I just had to share it. I feel it really captures the beauty of birth and, although I never had the privilege of knowing her, I think it also captures her amazing spirit. You can tell she was passionate about what she did, and just watching this makes me look forward to doing it all over again. It's such a spiritual experience, like none other. I pray that her family is receiving the comfort they need.

Briana Blackwelder from David Perry on Vimeo.