A Sibling Waterbirth

Photographed by Shahnoor Ijaz of Mindful Sprouts Family Services (formerly Toronto Birth Doula)

This waterbirth demonstrates the power and candour of childbirth. The mother requested her toddler son be woken during her early morning, sunrise second stage (pushing). He was both a positive distraction and added an element of sweetness and humour to the labour. See below how he presses his mama’s face and then bursts out laughing at her animal-like pushing/grunting sounds.