Gentle Cesarean Birth at Littleton Hospital - the Birth of Everly

Morgen’s first birth was hard. She labored and birthed her baby after hours of pushing - and the entire time, she felt that deep down…something wasn’t right. She told her OB that she thought she needed a c-section, but her OB downplayed her concerns. It wasn’t till after her sweet boy was delivered that they learned Morgen had broken her pelvis during birth (extremely rare and extremely painful).

When Morgen and I met, she recounted how hard it was for her to bond and care with her baby…while barely being able to move. I could sense the immense frustration she felt towards her care team - one of the greatest causes of birth trauma is when a birthing person feels like they are not being heard. Morgen had known something wasn’t right, and yet her doctor didn’t listen.

But along with the frustration, I also heard determination. Morgen was determined to have a different birth experience this time. A better birth experience. She found a new provider, who listened and supported her. She wanted a gentle cesarean - a birth that would allow her to enjoy her daughter’s arrival and the days that followed. I was so excited to document Morgen’s story because I knew it would be a healing one.

These photos speak volumes about what birth can look like…about what cesareans can look like. They can be a gentle, peaceful, and empowering experience. Morgen had her baby at Littleton Adventist, which is located in South Denver, and is one of my favorite places to work. Such an amazing care team surrounded her as baby Everly came into the world!