One of the most fulfilling experiences for most women can be bringing a child into the world. Ask any mother you know. She will demonstrate that, despite the discomfort involved, giving birth is a truly lovely experience. The simple thought of holding your little angel in your arms at the destination makes every challenge worthwhile. While most of you are certainly familiar with cesarean sections and natural births, other people may be unfamiliar with water births.
It is thought to be less stressful for both the mother and the infant. Gini Rothenberger made the decision to give birth in water when she had her second child. Her little angel’s birth among the stars was a magical occasion. Peace is more important than medicine. Her birth photos are no less spectacular. Take a more realistic and holistic view of the sacrifices of a wife and mother.
Gini allowed her labor pains to subside while lying in the birthing pool in her backyard. It was a warm September day when this occurred.
Gini followed all the guidelines when having her first kid, including attending childbirth classes, adhering to the doctor’s instructions, and serving the ball. She is devastated after learning it was all in vain and that she was treated like a number in the hospital on the day of her delivery.
Gini made a different choice this time around after finding out she was expecting for the second time. She grew close to her midwife instead. When Gini suggested a “water birth,” her midwife arrived right away.
She was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about her and honored her wishes throughout this time. She spent a few lonesome minutes simply gazing at the horizon as her husband and the rest of the crew prepared for the birth. She immediately realized that this time will be different!
Gini has had a great awakening to the peacefulness of labor. Gini and her partner decided to attempt this and make it memorable after experiencing disappointment the first time.
Unsettled by the experience, the couple went with a peaceful water birth in their own backyard for their next child.
It was when the couple learned about home births that they reconsidered having more kids after their first experience left such an awful impression of giving birth. “We watched ‘The Business of Being Born’ the next week, and my husband decided if we ever have another baby, it would be born at home,” she said.
Image via Callynth Photography
About a year later the Rothenbergers were pregnant again, and Gini started looking for a midwife. “We thoroughly enjoyed every meeting we had … and best of all, someone I knew would be by my side when the birthing time came,” she said.
Image via Callynth Photography
“I felt so very connected to my midwife and all of her colleagues during my birthing time. I knew I would be surrounded by people who would respect my needs and wishes!”
Image via Callynth Photography
“My guess date was September, so I asked my midwife what she thought of putting the birth pool outside,” Rothenberger shared. “I thought she would give me a firm ‘no!’ but instead, she was excited!” The expectant mom was surprised when someone asked if she’d have a photographer there for the birth. “All I could think was, ‘Why in the world would anyone want pictures of that?’” she said.
Image via Callynth Photography
“I didn’t know how peaceful and beautiful birth was intended to be!” Enter Callynth Finney, of Callynth Photography, who took all of the amazing photos from the special day in the Rothenberger’s backyard.
Image via Callynth Photography
“I watched the sunset, and the deer graze in the field between waves, and I had a conversation with our Heavenly Father,” Gini said. “It was the most intimate, peaceful moment when I realized this birth was going to be different.” The birth itself wasn’t without a struggle, but Gini said the entire experience was much, much better than her first time. “Things got intense, but my birth team was right there and did exactly what I needed them to do,” she explained. Baby girl Charlie Grace was so quiet at first that the midwife, Melena Sandefer, was worried about her breathing. “She was so calm and relaxed from being born in such a peaceful environment, to a mother who was so relaxed and unmedicated that she didn’t cry or seem rigid,” Rothenberger shared.
Image via Callynth Photography
“Our midwife knew exactly what to do … she stimulated her gently and realized she was breathing just fine,” the mom explained. “She not only picked her head up but pushed herself up on her elbows to take a good look at me and her daddy.” The couple loved the experience so much that they had another birth at home. “We realized this is how birth is meant to be for our family,” she shared. “The memories are unforgettable and the photos we have of these moments are priceless.”
Image via Callynth Photography
“Birth is a normal and natural process, not a medical emergency that needs to be coerced into a downward spiral of fear-based interventions,” she says. “Evidence-based care along with an understanding of the natural birth process can make a world of difference in the birth experience. A little outdoor exposure is a bonus.”
