Birth Photography & Doula Care Availability | Temecula, Riverside & San Diego Birth Photographer

Spaces are limited for my Birth Photography and Doula care availability. I limit the number of births I accept per month to ensure I can be on-call 24/7 and provide excellent service. I always use a back up photographer and/or Doula for unforseen life events like illness.  Luckily I very rarely use my back up :)
For 2015 I will be accepting only 1-2 birth clients per month in the Riverside, Temecula, and San Diego areas. Please inquire early in your pregnancy to schedule a complimentary consultation. Even if your "due date" month says I am full, please call if you are interested. I look forward to meeting you!

2015 Schedule:
January - closed
February- closed
March- closed
April - 1 open
May - closed
June- 2 open
July - OFF-CALL Conference!
August - 1 open
September - 2 open
October - 2 open
November - 1 open
December - 1 open

2013 Here we go! {Temecula/San Diego Birth Photographer, Doula, Placenta Encapsulation}

Hello 2013! I am so excited for this new year. It's off to a great start! I am back from vacation and booking births - both as the birth photographer and/or the doula. I am accepting 2 -3 births per month and offer a complimentary meeting to anyone interesting in my services. Please email me if you'd like to chat! robin@birthblessingsphotography.com. 

I am excited about a few changes coming soon - I will be restructuring my pricing and updating my website with product samples. My back up photographer, Catie, and I have some other fun stuff in the works too. We are both preparing for the Natural Baby Pros' Your Natural Baby Fair April 27, 2013 and will have some new products to share with you! Buy your tickets early here!

Interested in Placenta Encapsulation services? Know someone who is? I service the Temecula Valley, Riverside county, and most of San Diego county. I book services in early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and even when families have already had their baby. It's never to late to contact me about placenta encapsulation!  I am working on a slideshow and lots of new posts, so stay tuned!

Maternity leave | Bradley Class & Doula Care Availability update

Hello! I am still here :) I am pregnant and have had a very difficult first trimester. I am now 14 weeks and feeling normal again. I haven't been able to sit at the computer for quite some time now...spending most of my waking hours laying down. I'm working on an a detailed update of my first trimester, stay tuned! Since my pregnancy is high risk and very rare, I will be blogging the experience here. I am excited to share it with you since there is not much info out there on this special journey I'm on. Can't wait? Check out THIS in the meantime :)

BRADLEY METHOD CLASSES ARE ON HOLD, PLEASE CHECK BACK IN SPRING OF 2012 FOR THE NEW SCHEDULE. I am on maternity leave :)

DOULA CARE & BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY ARE ALSO ON HOLD. I am not accepting new clients until summer of 2012. Please check my Doula Match site for availability.

Please see my RESOURCES page for referrals.

Birth blessings! xoxo Robin

What did you Learn? {San Diego Birth Doula}

In a recent email Rosie asked me what I learned from births I attended. This was my response (while parenting my crazy kids at the same time...)

"I learned that some people act like labor is a bigger deal than it really is....and then later when it really gets tough they say 'I can't believe I thought that was hard back in early labor.' I learned that signs of transition can happen even when they are not in transition. I confirmed that there should be very minimal people around while in labor so that mom doesn't feel the need to perform. I learned that primips can take a very long time to birth, and that's ok. I learned that primips that want a natural birth should choose home birth or a birth center. I learned that *the hospital I was at* is more baby and mother friendly (hands off) than I thought it was going to be. I confirmed that midwives in hospitals often are more like OBs. I learned that GOD is the director of birth and it is what it is - give up and give in and move on.  I learned that I may not "enjoy" every birth I attend because it can be VERY hard work with zero breaks. I learned that sleep deprivation makes me cry. I learned that although I love being a doula, I need to be a midwife. Amen."

What did you learn from your birth?

A Doula for CAPPA {San Diego Doula}

The Loveliest Birth — Memories of Chloe’s Birth Day {San Diego Birth Doula}

Megan’s doula, Robin, was out of town for a few days.  Megan’s due date was coming up and as the backup doula I emailed Megan to let her know I was there for her. It was October 22, 2010.  

Subject: We’re on call for you….baby!  I wrote, Hi Megan! Rosie, your back-up doula here just checking in while Robin is out of town.  I am very excited for you now that November and your baby's birthday is just around the corner.  I am happy for you.  It is great that you have been able to find the resources, both outside resources and inner resources to best prepare you and your family for this baby's birth day.  I wish you all your hearts desires and will be praying that the flood gates of heaven pour out a blessing that you cannot imagine.  Ahhh love those words, "pour out".  Do you need to pour out your heart to someone?  Sometimes that needs to happen before labor can start or to help labor progress.  Do you need to "pour yourself a warm bath" and soak up relaxation and peace & quiet?  Maybe you will pour out words of thanksgiving and gracious loving words during each contraction.  The pouring out of tears is common in the days or hours leading up to labor and birth. Tears are very okay so don't feel guilty at all if you have tears...whatever your emotions are they are real. Be real.  Whatever you need let your request be made known to God (and to your doctor, doula, and husband).  Call me anytime. Birth Day Blessings, Rosie

Little did we know that just a couple of days later on October 25, Megan’s labor would start! In the wee early morning hours her labor started with throwing up.  At first we didn’t know if it was the flu or labor because sometimes that is how labor is.  Megan went to see her midwife, who confirmed she “could be”   in early labor and stripped her membranes.  Megan called me Monday morning to let me know that something was happening.  She continued with her day in early labor.  Megan called me at 3PM.  We chatted and everything was perfect. She said contractions were coming every four minutes but she was fine and didn’t need me to come yet.  10 minutes after we hung up Phil called asking me to come.  It seems as soon as Megan hung up the phone ‘things’ changed.  I got to their place at 4PM.  When I walked into Megan and Phillip’s upstairs apartment I was impressed with not only the beauty but also the lovely spirit of their home.  I felt like I was in a tree house.  I also felt the high energy of a birthing woman.  Megan was side lying on her bed and trying to nap in between contractions.  Phillip stayed by her side as Megan relaxed and breathed through contractions.  All was perfect.  I really wasn’t needed after all.  “Well let’s see”, I thought to myself, “Maybe I’m here for a reason”.  I asked them if they’d eaten and encouraged them to eat, if not for hungers sake then for energy.  Birth is work; even relaxing in labor is work.  I could see that they could use a walk but the suggestion of a walk around the neighborhood was declined.  So Megan walked around the island in the house that was the kitchen, living room, and hallway.  It was the beginning of a very long walk.

In a couple of hours Megan was ready to go to the hospital.  She checked into Palomar hospital approximately 8PM.  She was about 3 centimeters dilated.  She continued to receive her contractions, surges, tightening, gracefully, matter-of-factly.  She changed positions often and stayed in the moment, doing one thing at a time. One contraction at a time.  One wonderful thing about Chloe’s birth is that the hospital staff was very hands off.  They left mom and dad alone to have their baby in the most peaceful way.  It was as though angels guarded the birth space.

I felt blessed to be present for this S-L-O-W birth.  I say this with a skip in my step and a song in my heart. You see, slow birth is misunderstood.  People hear a 27 hour birth and think horrible things. Our imagination is a dangerous thing.  Megan was able to stay present, in the moment – not looking back, not looking ahead.  You see Megan trusted her body to know how to birth.  And sure enough, it did!  Birth needs time, old father time, honored time, one contraction at a time.  That's how babies come.  Isn't it interesting that in today’s fast paced society some women become impatient and can't seem to wait 40 weeks, many opting for induction (to be induced).  They also seem to be impatient and cannot give their babies 40 hours to be born.  This Godly Mama knew better.

Megan walked the hallways of the hospital mostly with Phil, sometimes with her mom or me or all three of us.  By 11PM she was five centimeters dilated, 100% effaced and baby was at -1 station.  Now it was Tuesday, October 26.  Mama Megan was having very active contractions, she was rushing with endorphins, and she shined, actually glowed!  Her hormones carried her to the next level, and then the next level of labor so gracefully.  She was strong still even when her mom, her husband and her doula were taking turns sleeping.  We could not stay awake.  We did not have the hormones that ebbed and flowed, giving this new mama super human strength.  It reminded me of Matthew 26:40, when Jesus asked Peter, “Couldn’t you keep watch with me for one hour?” At 3AM a new nurse named Maria came on shift and Cheryl went off. At 7AM Megan’s cervix was 9 centimeters dilated!  Megan was approaching the second stage of labor, almost completely dilated and near pushing, she walked a lot, in the hospital hallways, trying to help baby past a cervical lip.  Did baby have a nuchal hand? Whatever Chloe was doing, her heart rate was perfectly normal and mom trusted the process.  Megan’s midwife, who was not on-call, stopped in and verified that Megan was 9.9 centimeters dilated and that it would be okay to have the doc rupture the amniotic bag of waters.  Just as they were about to break her waters, the waters released on their own.

At 11AM Megan started pushing.  She grunted, nudged, pushed and rested intermittently as her baby descended.  One of the most surprising and delightful things for me was that the hospital staff never interfered or interrupted Megan’s labor.  They honored her and her birth wishes, her desire for an intervention free, and non-medicated, natural birth.  Megan is one of the very few women that I have witnessed, in over 250 births, able to birth like this, having a completely physiological birth in a hospital.  She was 9 centimeters dilated for four hours and pushed for four more hours.  Chloe was born on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at 2:45PM, weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces.

I guess God had planned for me to be with Megan and Phil and Chloe after all.  It was a powerful blessing to be present for the birth of this Mommy, Daddy, Baby and Grandma.  Thank you God!  And thank you Megan.  May the legend of your birthing prowess and the beauty of your faith be a heritage for your family to pass along for generations to come.  God bless your family always.

Love, Rosie Peterson

The Birth of Isabella {San Diego Birth Doula & Birth Photographer}

            I met Isabella’s mommy when I was a teenager. We went to the same high school and did gymnastics together. We saw each other a few times after high school at family functions, as I was good friends with her brother in law and sister (Isabella’s Aunt and Uncle). Almost 20 years later we connected over Facebook and shared a common bond. Babies! I was photographing them and attending their births and she was expecting one. Mom hired me for maternity photos and we started communicating via text, email and Facebook.

            Mom is a self termed “yogi.” She and her boyfriend of several years practice yoga and were naturally drawn to the natural side of birthing. She sought Midwifery care at Best Start Birth Center and planned a natural birth in water. I was very excited to hear this and offered my birth photography services and/or doula services. Mom had already hired a doula, her best friend and coworker at a local hospital. They are both ultrasound technicians. The doula was DONA trained a year ago and is working to complete her certification. What a wonderful group of people with a common goal – safe and natural birth surrounded by people who love mom and baby.

            During the end of the third trimester, the Midwives became concerned that the fundal measurement wasn’t increasing each week at a regular interval. They sent mom for further testing including ultrasound, stress test, and visits with an Obstetrician and Neonatologist. The results were conflicting at times and this left mom and dad confused. Was the baby in danger? In the last month mom was officially diagnosed with IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and “risked out” of care at the Birth Center. She would now have to change her birth plan to include a hospital birth and the interventions that might need to follow. I became increasingly involved and offered emotional and informational support via email.  This is where my doula role crossed over the photographer role and took over. I just can’t help it! I am a birth junkie and love to mother the mother.

            We finally met up at around 37 weeks for a maternity session at the beach. I met dad and we all had a great time celebrating the shape of this expecting mother.  We watched the sunset and discussed the IUGR diagnosis and the new birth plan. I reassured them that it was possible to have a natural and satisfying birth at a hospital. A few days later I shared an example of a hospital birth plan so they could get an idea of what a hospital birth plan includes, as it is much different from a Birth Center plan.

            A few weeks later one of mom’s tests came back with low amniotic fluid, so the OB decided it was best to induce labor. I sent over all the information I had on the “best case scenario for medical induction.” She was grateful and I was praying for her. We all wished for a healthy baby, and a safe vaginal delivery. At this point interventions seemed medically needed and they made intelligent informed decisions with the information they were provided from all sources. Her induction plan was Cervidil first, and then a low dose of pitocin until active labor was established.  She hoped to avoid an epidural but knew it would be difficult due to the effects of the induction medications. We all kept an open and positive attitude, praying for a healthy outcome. The goal was a healthy baby!

            On October 8, 2010 mom was induced at Scripps LaJolla at 38 weeks and 5 days gestation. Cervidil was inserted at 7pm and Mom and Dad were able to get a good night of sleep. In the morning there was little cervical change and cramping. Pitocin was started at 7am and the main Doula arrived at 8am. An amniotomy was performed while the cervix was dilated at1cm. The Doula called me at 10:30am and let me know that active labor was getting underway. I arrived at the hospital at 12:30pm and found a dim lit room, yoga music playing, dad massaging mom, and doula giving support. It was a great atmosphere.  I met the nurse and she was very friendly and supportive of the mom’s birth plan and having doula support in the hospital.

            Soon after I got there labor was very active and mom asked for the pitocin to be turned down instead of increased, and nurse Leah was happy to do so. She was about 3cm dilated and baby was moving down. The contractions were getting longer, stronger, and closer together very quickly. Mom wasn’t getting much of a break in-between. Daddy was very close and totally hands on in his support as was the Doula. They tried many positions, but had to stay just inches from the bed due to all the wires and monitors that are required in an induction. What mom found most helpful at this intense part of labor was getting on hands and knees on top of the bed and resting in child’s pose. She laughed that she couldn’t remember her “labor mantra” and we just went with what worked. She found her groove and we all supported her with praise, massage, and a heat therapy pack. Her pain was mostly in the front of her belly, so I used my rebozo to secure the heat therapy pack to her belly and she continued her labor dance.

     I started to notice signs of the transition phase, but was unsure due to the pitocin, so I didn’t say what I was suspecting. Mom was doing beautiful and working hard and wondered how much longer she could endure. Self doubt was creeping in. We all praised her and encouraged her that she was doing great. We discussed waiting until 5cm dilated if an epidural was going to be accepted and kept on working. Mom was definitely sounding with contractions now and nurse Leah came to me privately in the corner and asked if she should ask Mom if she wanted the anesthesiologist. I told her about our 5cm conversation and asked her to wait until the next cervical check.

     Dr. Kirstin Lee was the attending OB and she was a lovely presence at this birth. Her sweet and positive demeanor was very encouraging. She reassured Mom and praised her work. Around 2pm, Mom asked for a cervical check and she was pronounced 5cm. She had progressed 2 cm in just 20 minutes. I encouraged Dad that mom could do it but he was looking increasingly concerned as Mom’s pain increased with no breaks. Mom was sure she wanted the epidural now and was satisfied with her goal to reach 5cm before accepting the anesthesia. The Doula and I were asked to step into the hall as the anesthesiologist placed the medication and we heard Mom making loud birth sounds. Very familiar to me as the sounds made close to birth, we were getting excited that baby would be here soon!  We chatted quietly in the hall, getting to know each other better. When we rejoined Mom and Dad, they were smiling and resting - Mom laying in bed and Dad in the chair nearby. The Doula grabbed her Starbucks and we all settled in around Mom to chat. The friends shared a tender moment complete with a hug, kiss and a tear. Dad took an hour break and we found out later he found a baby name book and was reading it in the visitor’s lobby.

 The three of us girls hung out and relived the labor up to this point and talked about the various unknowns yet to come. What would baby look like? How long would the pushing stage last? Would she be healthy or really have issues related to IUGR? Mainly we got off the subject of birth and just had a nice little girl chat. Mom was displaying a lot signs of impending birth: nausea, shaking, burping, and intense bottom pressure. We alerted the nurse and she was able to see the baby’s head without even doing a full exam. We all rejoiced and Dad came back to join us. They quickly tried to mentally prepare themselves for the miraculous event about to take place – becoming parents for the first time. Wow, what an emotional time with love abounding!

          Mom said she had the perfect amount of anesthesia – it took the pain away but not all of her sensations. She could move her legs and feel her contractions coming. She started the pushing stage a little after 4pm and progressed quickly. The mirror helped her see her progress and she looked beautiful with her glasses on, focusing on birthing her little baby girl. The nurse and doctor stayed true to Mom’s birth plan; she pushed spontaneously with contractions and no counting. As little Isabella’s head emerged the emotions ran high. We were so impressed with Mom’s strength and her body’s natural ability to birth beautifully. Dad held one leg and Doula held the other as I took pictures, stroked Mom’s hair, and offered words of encouragement.

          Isabella Sage was born on October 9^th, 2010 at 4:43pm, weighing 5 pounds 15 ounces and 18 ½ inches long. She was immediately placed on Mom’s tummy and we all rejoiced at her healthy appearance. Isabella was covered in vernix, nature’s special lotion. The nurse showed Mom how to rub it in and Dad shielded baby’s eyes from the bright delivery light. Doctor Lee showed us the placenta and assured us that since baby Izzy looked healthy they didn’t need further testing of the placenta. The nurse checked baby’s measurements on the chart and she scored within normal limits so all worries of adverse affects from the diagnosed IUGR were put behind the family and medical team. Mom and baby started the beginning of their breastfeeding relationship and congratulations were pouring in. Phone calls were made and Auntie and Grandma arrived to pour their love and admiration out on this new miracle. Welcome to the world baby Isabella, you are loved! 

Ultimate Birth Companion