Real Birth Stories From Real Mamas - Motherly
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Birth Stories

At home, in hospitals, and even on an airplane: these real-life birth stories will inspire and amaze you.

woman in labor

These emotional birth photos show why midwives are so important

As a younger mother—and especially as a Black mother—21-year-old Anya was very much at risk for having her voice silenced during her birth experience. Moms under 30 are more likely to report being mistreated or have their concerns ignored by medical providers while in labor, which can lead to deadly consequences. Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die during or after pregnancy or birth compared to white mothers. That's why Anya choose to have a midwife supported birth in a birth center.

Updated Oct. 28, 2022
mom with new baby

My birth story: Surrogacy made me a mother

No matter how it happened, my baby deserves a warm and fuzzy birth story.

Updated Apr. 27, 2022
mom doing skin-to-skin with baby

My birth story: Life and loss in one pregnancy

Our maternal-fetal medicine doctor came in suddenly—and I knew that something was wrong.

Updated Feb. 09, 2022
quadruplets laying side by side in a hospital

This Texas mom gave birth to rare quadruplets during a pandemic

The last few months have been shocking for Jenny, who delivered four boys by C-section and has no history of multiples in her family.

Updated Jan. 06, 2022
Melissa Rauch in a yellow dress

Melissa Rauch had to give birth while Facetiming her husband

The Big Bang Theory star shares her pandemic birth story.

Updated Jan. 19, 2022

I’m days away from giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic

My body is stretched beyond recognition, but I now find myself hoping and wishing that he would stay tucked safely inside just a little while longer.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

Morgan Miller shares Instagram video of incredible twin home birth—here’s why

While the twin birth was certainly dramatic, the couple couldn't be happier with how it all unfolded. "It was literally ideal," Bode said. "[It was] a lot for everybody to experience, you couldn't have had it be cooler for everybody involved."

Updated Jan. 23, 2023
moms selfie with her toddler - traumatic birth story

Kristen on her delivery triggering PPD, PPA and psychosis

I would stay in bed all day and night. I’d stay up all hours of the night, sobbing, not understanding my feelings.

Updated Sep. 29, 2022
mom delivering baby by scheduled second C-section

My birth story: A scheduled second C-section

Although I didn't push, I gave birth just the same. It diminished nothing about the moment of becoming a mother again.

Updated Oct. 05, 2022
Jennifer Garner and Kristen Bell eating

Everybody’s birth is different—just ask Jennifer Garner and Kristen Bell

Jennifer Garner described giving birth as "romantic" and Kristen Bell totally disagreed.

Updated Feb. 01, 2022

Sydney Leroux returns to pro soccer 3 months after giving birth

Leroux just showed the world that motherhood doesn't have to end an athlete's career. Mothers are strong.

Updated Jan. 23, 2023

What went viral this week: Toddler BFFs & a teacher who gave birth at school

In an age when outrage and anger dominate online spaces, we fill this space with uplifting news each week.

Updated Mar. 17, 2025

5 surprising birth stories from ‘Bachelor’ contestants

You can't write a better Bachelor ending than that!

Updated Feb. 18, 2025

Talk about a baby boom: This NICU has 36 nurses having a baby this year

"We always have a baby boom going on like this," says Allison Ronco, a critical care education coordinator and nurse for the hospital."

Updated Jan. 23, 2023

Lake Bell shares how her home births didn’t go as planned

Bell says that she grappled with some guilt over her decision to have a home birth in the aftermath of this experience.

Updated Jan. 23, 2023

Claire Holt’s birth story answers so many questions about induced labor

Holt is refreshingly open about every measure doctors took for induction.

Updated Jan. 30, 2023
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