Victoria photographer captures 'pleasurable' homebirth
A photographer and doula from Victoria has captured a mother's 'ecstatic' birth on camera.
In May this year, Melbourne woman Angela Gallo photographed baby Kalesia being born as her parents, Sasha and Kiaran experienced a 'trance like state of connection'.
'A short six hours in length, each ounce of energy spent was used with reason; each second of pain or pleasure had purpose. I have never seen a birth so rich in ecstasy,' Ms Gallo wrote of the labour.
A photographer and Doula from Victoria photographed a mother's ecstasy-filled birth in May this year
Ms Gallo said that it was a powerful experience and that Sasha and Kiaran's daughter was born from a place of love
Kiaran's poem about the experience A lioness, atop a crimson alter, Wild, open, creation all about her Carnal conduit, ethereal, Stargate- portal, cosmic- surreal Moving with each wave, in exaltation Ancient gateways spring forth, soul incarnation. In this sacred space. Her every move, an expression of divine grace. Every breathe, expansion, infinitely-connected To bring our star-seeds' soul safe passage.
Ms Gallo, who wrote about the 'unassisted, unhindered and pleasurable' homebirth, said that it was a powerful experience and that Sasha and Kiaran's daughter was born from a place of love.
'Kalesia was born between a rush of surges and smiles across her mother's face. Deep, sultry breaths and lots of self stimulation (and coconut butter!) really helped to keep the perineum soft and stretchy,' she wrote.
She said the labour was 'spontaneous' and 'both hormones and love came together ferociously'.
'Sasha exhibited animal like signs; self cleaning, smelling, pacing, roaring – I cried and watched in awe because in the deepest parts of me I couldn't shake the feeling that this is exactly how nature intended birth to be and yet it was so seldom seen,' she wrote.
Ms Gallo cried during the experience because as she witnessed it, she realised that not all women who want a similar birth can have it, but she was happy that Sasha and Kiaran could.
'Sasha exhibited animal like signs; self cleaning, smelling, pacing, roaring – I cried and watched in awe,' Ms Gallo explained
The labour was spontaneous, with Ms Gallo saying that Sasha and Kiaran seemed to be experiencing a trance like connection
'I have seen many truly physiological births but to see one so unhindered and so primal has given me renewed conviction in my beliefs,' she wrote.
'A belief that each woman is uniquely incredible and amazingly capable of pushing beyond the limits imposed by our minds & the systems we have in place.'
She believes that the childbirth experience should be enjoyed and embraced and that the major transformation that takes place shouldn't be underestimated.
'I have seen many truly physiological births but to see one so unhindered and so primal has given me renewed conviction in my beliefs,' Ms Gallo wrote
Ms Gallo cried during the experience because as she witnessed it, she realised that not all women who want a similar birth can have it
'A belief that every human being should have the right to choose the type of birth that feels right for them.
'A belief that, should they desire to, every woman have the opportunity to birth without the presence of prying eyes, bright lights, interventions, stress or trauma'.
As a doula, Ms Gallo aimed to guide women through birth with as much love and support as possible while making sure women are able to give birth in the way that they want.
Ms Gallo's imagery is emotionally charged as her work aims to capture what she calls 'one of the most wild adventures of your life'.
'I believe that women are strong; real strong. And I am kinda addicted to watching the moment they realize it for themselves.'