Rebecca Coursey, Los Angeles Birth Photographer+Doula

You know how those stories that always start with the ending? Well that is how I always like to share a birth story. I always hold space for the ending. Because in so many ways its a beginning too. A new chapter. A door open. A window, flung open wide sop you can smell the scent of fresh-cut grass and hear the song of birds in the trees. I can't promise you a perfect retelling of any birth story. But I can tell you it to as close to my heart as I can.

Is there anything better? #babesinarms #newlyborn #hospitalbirth #relief #longbeachbirthphotos #photosthatbringyouhome

and... then, quite suddenly, there is a baby. And whatever else was happening melts away and time stops and the soft warmth of that newly born babe is better than anything you ever thought possible. #homesweethome #birthphotos #beforethepandmic #marchintospring #photosthatbringyouhome

So much love for this family.

Strong back, soft front, wild heart Brené Brown This incredible human is a warrior. I met her and her husband over 4 years ago at a cafe/coffee shop in Long Beach. There, squeezed amongst the other patrons, we talked. Connected. Soon afterwards she reached back out saying she wanted to hire me as her doula (and photographer) for first baby.

This post has been written, erased and re-written so many times but for whatever reason I feel like now is the time I feel ready (and brave enough) to speak abo...ut this. I penned it as a letter directly to DONA International because they are the audience I most want to capture. *As well as cautioning newer doulas searching for a training course. Please I beg of you: Do your research and find a training that matches your core beliefs. Don’t just take the class all your friends took. Research each company’s values and motives. I regret doing my training with DONA and I cringe when I see others promoting their organization. I don’t believe DONA doulas are bad doulas, I simply don’t agree with their organization’s stance on multiple issues. I’m not writing this to shame any doula who chooses to certify with DONA, but I am asking them to do their own research and hold their organization accountable. I had completed all the work for my certification but when it came down to it I personally couldn’t sign on the dotted line. I couldn’t commit to remain silent and not advocate/speak up for clients when they’re being abused, manipulated or coerced. I couldn’t compromise my integrity in that way, and that’s why I chose to seek additional training elsewhere. If this post causes you to feel anger, defensive or reactionary, I’ll ask you to sit with it for awhile. Try to discover the real reason you’re feeling the feelings you are, then re-read what I wrote in this letter. #donainternational #donadoula #donadoulas #donacertified #birthdoula #doulatraining #dobetter #doula #donacertification #doulacertification #certifieddoula

The week before I left for @thefamilynarrative, this sweet little boy gently entered into the world. It was the week before life would change as we knew it. Before face masks, before 6 feet apart, before hand sanitizers squirted everywhere and a shortage of toilet paper. But attending this little souls birth is a tether onto which I hold a small slice of time where I knew exactly where I needed to be; sharing in this tiny beautiful moment of humanity: Ezekiel’s birth.

Yesterday has already vanished among the shadows of the past; to-Morris has not yet emerged from the future. Nathaniel Hawthorne ...this film from almost two years ago. I can’t say enough how honored I am to share this abridged version here. Next up in my Instagram loop is: @kasubaphotographyandfilms Thank you @filminglifeacademy for including me in this loop

Every wound needs a witness A mother’s journey to infinity and back to bring her baby boy into the world: from planned home birth, to hospital, to cesarean. @scoutwhouse @birthingblyssmidwifery @iamhaizehawkerosen l ***** @birthbecomesher @birthwithoutfear @carriagehousebirth @mother.ly @whynothome @motherboardbirth @empoweredbirthproject @birthboundphotographer

gah! Newly redesigned site by the esteemed Kate Densmore ! A little blog post about a giveaway I am doing XOXO

I adore Karla Leng (of DoulaDoula) and not only because of the beautiful things she says about birth, but how she helps women find their own voice in the birth space.

Best birth story ever. Click on the image to read the story in the comments.

I don’t see birth as a technical, scientific act, but as an art as well. That’s why I don’t just bring my gear, my rebozo, my essential oils, but I bring my hands, my voice and my doula heart. I bring with me the echoes of my mother’s mother and her mother’s grandmother’s grandmother. I bring my love of midwifery. I bring my ability to hold space for both the art and science of birth: And all the beauty and heartache and grit that it contains. With the ever wonderful Los Angeles Midwife Collective

I can’t tell you how important it is document these days. And then print the shit out of them. As I stand here on the precipice of my children’s childhood, I can feel nothing but a deep hiareth for them to be little and back in my arms.....it’s an ache. Beautiful but filled with longing.. . Also, I know color is my jam but my heart will forever and always be with the power of black and white. With the beautiful @emma_jean_photography and her little one and all the love they have for each other. @atkins.pro.lab @pictime_us #makeportraits #blackandwhite #canonusa #thefamilynarrative #motherhoodrising #love #motherhoodmusings

All of this from the GODDESS of all things.

I don't only document birth stories, but the labyrinth of family life as well! I love this sweet fam so much I hope you enjoy this sweet little film of these siblings meeting their baby sister.

A sweet birth story.