Birth Photography at the Ottawa Civic Hospital
Photographing Birth at the Ottawa Civic Hospital
Hello Doulas, from behind the lens, hospital births have their own lighting, spatial, and logistical challenges. This interview gives you a real look inside the Ottawa Civic birthing unit from a mom's perspective. I know you’ve likely supported clients at our local hospitals, and if you are considering adding birth photography to your offerings, I hope this post offers you something.
I teach Birth Photography for Doulas in Val des Monts, 40 minutes from Ottawa, to doulas who want to learn the skills of birth photography: how to find the light, work in different birth settings, honour the birth pros around us, and create beautiful images for your clients. Join me at the next birth photography workshop if this is something you are interested in!
I host Birth Photography Workshops for doulas and birth workers a few times each year at my location 40 minutes from Ottawa — a retreat-style day learning how to create beautiful birth images.
Why did you hire a birth photographer?
I hired a photographer because I was always enamored by the raw, powerful, and beautiful images I'd seen of other births. I knew we were done having babies after this one so it seemed natural to commemorate the event with images taken by something better than a smartphone.
Tell me about your choice of birthplace. What led you to the Civic Hospital?
I work in obstetrics/gynecology as an ultrasound tech. I knew I wanted to deliver at the civic because I work closely with many of the doctors in the call group. That increased my chance of having someone I knew and trusted at my birth. Lucky for me, I knew my OB at this delivery, and I was delighted to see her when the moment came.
What are the rooms like at the Civic Birthing Unit?
I'm not going to lie - they are hospital rooms. Bigger than I thought but nothing fancy. I didn't use the tub except to quickly clean up after delivery. There were lots of props - balls, slings. I ended up with an epidural and didn't use the props after that. The nurses were generally good, some better than others but all were professional. Honestly, I wasn't looking for a home/spa / calming environment. During labour I was way too focused on my task at hand to be concerned about the room's ambiance - I could have been in the middle of the floor at Costco and I wouldn't have noticed.
What pain management options did you choose at the Civic Birthing Unit?
I laboured as long as I could at home and wanted few interventions. However, I succumbed to fatigue after over 24 hours of no sleep so I opted for an epidural. I had had a bad experience with my last pregnancy's epidural but this one was amazing. I literally didn't feel anything during the delivery after my epidural.
Did you look at your birth photos immediately when they were delivered? What was your experience?
Yes, I looked at them as soon as I could. I liked the sneak peeks but the final product was amazing. I felt so grateful for them after seeing them - they brought back many positive emotions.
How does it feel to see your birth photos six (eight) years later?
I still get teary when I see them. And nostalgic for such a fleeting moment.
What would you share with someone considering a birth photographer?
This is a moment you will never get back. To have the experience captured is worth every penny. I regret not having a photographer for my first delivery.
Thank you, Marie! (Marie Avila RDMS (FE, OB) , RYT)
Hospitals are a unique place to photograph birth, learning how to work in that space is a great way to prepare if you are doula offering photos to your clients. I help you see the light, understand image composition, and offer you the tricks of the trade at my workshops. WE will go through real birth photos, and I’ll tell ya how I composed them and how I was able to capture all these photos at this birth - like how did I get behind the birthing bed?
Elle Odyn Photography and Film (previously Breathe In Photography) offers birth photography workshops for doulas and photographers in the Ottawa-Gatineau Area looking to transition into this beautiful profession. I’d love to meet you if this is something you are considering!
