Birth story

What it's like to give birth while Black

What it's like to give birth while Black

In the States, Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women. In Canada, things must be better, right?

Tayo Bero, Chatelaine

This mom had a roadside birth and drove home with the baby still attached!

This mom had a roadside birth and drove home with the baby still attached!

The mom of six was expecting an 8-hour home birth, but was blindsided while running errands in her car.

Lidia Likhodi

I never imagined a simple nose bleed in pregnancy was a sign my baby and I were both in danger

I never imagined a simple nose bleed in pregnancy was a sign my baby and I were both in danger

My story is a reminder you should never accept strange symptoms as just a part of pregnancy. For me, something quite common was a sign of HELLP syndrome.

Krissy LePage

This Toronto doc delivered a baby mid-flight and got the sweetest surprise from the mother

This Toronto doc delivered a baby mid-flight and got the sweetest surprise from the mother

Sara Romano

Watch as this Ontario mom delivers her baby on the side of the highway

Watch as this Ontario mom delivers her baby on the side of the highway

Arisa Valyear

This woman found out she was pregnant—while giving birth on a flight to Hawaii

This woman found out she was pregnant—while giving birth on a flight to Hawaii

Arisa Valyear

A new royal baby was born this week—on the bathroom floor!

A new royal baby was born this week—on the bathroom floor!

Jessica Pollack

I survived labour as a Black woman—and I believe my Black nurse played a huge role

I survived labour as a Black woman—and I believe my Black nurse played a huge role

My baby and I already had a higher chance of dying during delivery, but when my fear turned to panic, only one person in the room could help: the one who looked like me.

Alicia Lue

This baby was born in 2020 after spending 27 years as a frozen embryo

This baby was born in 2020 after spending 27 years as a frozen embryo

If her embryo hadn't been frozen, Molly Gibson would be around the same age as her mom!

Kevin John Siazon

I was so judgy about home birth—until I accidentally had one

I was so judgy about home birth—until I accidentally had one

I had always been adamant: I didn’t want to give birth at home. But 18 hours into labour, I changed my mind and had an unplanned home birth.

Chantel Guertin

As an Indigenous woman, I was scared to have my baby in a hospital

As an Indigenous woman, I was scared to have my baby in a hospital

The same systems and professionals that make white people feel safe—medical care, the police, social workers—have been genocidal in practice against my people for generations.

Andrea Landry

I was forced to give birth alone because of coronavirus

I was forced to give birth alone because of coronavirus

As coronavirus spread, the hospital told pregnant women like me that partners would not be allowed in the delivery room. I would be giving birth alone.

Laurel Ingraham Aquadro

What is obstetric violence—and could it have happened to you?

What is obstetric violence—and could it have happened to you?

Here’s how Canadian birth activists are working to end obstetric violence and guarantee consent, communication and respect during your prenatal care.

Sahar Fatima

This baby was born 'pregnant' and had a C-section the next day

This baby was born 'pregnant' and had a C-section the next day

Talk about a birth story. This mom became a real life matryoshka doll when doctors discovered that her baby had another baby growing inside her.

Kevin John Siazon

How siblings can help during the home birth of a baby sister or brother

How siblings can help during the home birth of a baby sister or brother

This home birth was a whole-family experience: the older siblings each had a role in welcoming their new baby sister to the world.

Julie Stanley

My first birth was so fast, I knew I wanted to have my second baby at home

My first birth was so fast, I knew I wanted to have my second baby at home

For her second baby, this mom knew she wanted to have a home birth with midwives. While she was in labour, her three-year-old son was sound asleep upstairs.

Lynzie Kent

Do all nurses act this way when you refuse an epidural?

Do all nurses act this way when you refuse an epidural?

I have no regrets about my decision to forgo pain medication. I only wish I had been better prepared for how that decision would affect my care.

Lorraine Allen

What having a Christmas baby is really like

What having a Christmas baby is really like

When a birthday is both merry and happy: One mom shares the story of her son’s Christmas Eve birth.

Jennifer Pinarski

I felt judged for having drug-free births

I felt judged for having drug-free births

My “alternative” birth stories aren’t unique. So why do I feel pressured to defend my unmedicated deliveries from other moms?

Sophie Nicholls Jones

This baby was born twice—yep, you read that correctly

This baby was born twice—yep, you read that correctly

And yes, his mom says they'll be celebrating both birthdays.

Kevin John Siazon

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