Giving birth is a difficult and arduous process, so most mothers wish that they would not have to go through labor alone. Therefore, in 2019, before giving birth, Hollie Lau, from Ohio (USA), registered a family delivery room so that her husband and especially son Charlie (then 9 years old) stayed at home. beside encouragement.
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. She said: “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. 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.”
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. Hollie said: “Having Charlie present through the hardest part of my labour gave me strength when I doubted myself. 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.”
The photos posted on her personal Instagram account by mom the lavender doula herself, as her name is on the popular platform, is simply magical. There is no other word to describe the beauty of the moment when the older brother helps his mother give birth to his younger sister. The photos were captured with her camera by milkandhannah, as Hollie Lau comments under her post: “Introducing baby Robin Indigo, born to her brother Charlie on May 16th at 4:13 am.”
In the photos you will also see below, Charlie puts on his gloves and by the side of the midwife, he helps little Robin be born. Although both his dad and his younger brother are in the venue, he has taken on this role with great joy and enthusiasm. But 9-year-old Charlie didn’t just help his sister come into the world, he also had the honor of cutting the umbilical cord. The photos are magical and unique and deserve the applause of all of us since it’s not every day you see a little boy helping his mom give birth.
