The images of a 9-year-old boy assisting his mother during 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 are incredibly touching
Image Source: Instagram user milkandhannah
Hollie Lau, a mom of three and a doula, wanted her 9-year-old son Charlie to be in the delivery room when she welcomed her new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 daughter, Robin, in 2019. In an effort to normalize the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 experience and “give boys opportunities to be nurturing,” Hollie appointed Charlie as a doula. She also recruited Ohio-based 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 photographer Hannah Spencer to capture how she labored with Charlie by her side — and the results are absolutely incredible.
“Regardless of gender identity, it’s important for 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to witness 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to normalize the process of 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, which is still considered so taboo and a ‘behind closed doors’ activity to many,” Hannah told POPSUGAR. “Too often, we place the sentimental, emotional, loving, caring characteristics of little humans inside a specific gender bucket. Witnessing 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 can give a viewpoint into the power of laboring people and the beauty, strength, and courage those that give 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 possess, and 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren are no exception to that.”
The option to be present at Robin’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 was always on the table for Hollie’s two older kids, and Charlie jumped at the chance to participate. “The moment that we announced our pregnancy to our sons, Charlie asked if he could come,” she explained. “As a family, we believe in creating opportunities for our sons to practice being nurturing, which our society doesn’t easily or openly provide to boys. Family-centreed 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 is beautiful and can be an incredibly powerful moment together. We wanted to share that powerful bonding moment with them. It was also a great opportunity for my sons to witness how strong I am, as a person and as a woman.”
“Having Charlie present through the hardest part of my labour gave me strength when I doubted myself.”
Although there’s understandably no way for a 9-year-old to have professional training or hands-on experience when it comes to assisting during a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, the amount of mental support her oldest son offered got Hollie through the toughest moments of labour.
“Having Charlie present through the hardest part of my labour gave me strength when I doubted myself,” said Hollie. “His calming touch between contractions was so sweet and grounded me and allowed me to regain my focus. Both our sons spent a lot of time preparing to play a support role. Charlie took to the role very naturally. My sons asked to take a mini 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 education class, which I taught, to prepare them mentally for witnessing 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡. Having the people I care about the most cheering me on during the hardest thing I’ve ever done was exactly what I needed to get through it. His presence helped remind me that I had done this before and that I could do it again.”
For Hannah, Hollie’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 was one of her favourites to shoot. Inspired by Hollie’s dedication to inclusion and flipping the script when it comes to gender roles, it’s an experience she’ll never forget. “As a 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 worker, I often get to witness other 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 workers give 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, doulas included,” said Hannah. “Her story was so incredible, and the support of her family, especially her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, was such a gift to be able to photograph, but above that, to witness as a woman, mother, and friend.”
Read ahead to get a look at the incredible pictures Hannah captured of Hollie giving 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to her daughter with Charlie right by her side.
Image Source: Instagram user milkandhannah
Image Source: Instagram user milkandhannah
