When I decided to have my second baby at a free-standing birth center, I envisioned giving birth in the water. The first 12 weeks of my pregnancy had been rough, and I found my only relief when I was soaking in our apartment bathtub. I would sit there for well over an hour each night, my hands resting on my belly, sensing the little life that was just beginning to move inside of me.

But as often happens with birth, my baby came earthside on her own terms. After laboring and dilating to 10 centimeters in the water, I needed to get out and have Eliza on the bed. I don't regret that decision at all, and even though she didn't pass through water to find me...water was very much part of our birth story.

Margaret Atwood has long been one of my favorite writers, and I love what she wrote about the power of water here:

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”

In the past few months, I've attended so many beautiful water births here in Denver. I wanted to put together a small collection of a few recent images. I hope they inspire you as much as they've inspired me.

She emerges from the water. A Colorado Springs homebirth.

They welcomed their baby with joy and love at the Birth Center of Boulder.

The moment you see your baby for the very first time.

The joy of welcoming your 5th baby...her very first waterbirth.

Daddy watches baby's birth via Skype at an Away Bronco Game.

Baby nestles up close to his mama at Mountain Midwifery Center

The love on everyone's faces takes my breath away.

A healing and restorative herbal bath at the Denver Center for Birth

Powerful Birth Stories Across Colorado

Birthing in Water