birth stories - Motherly
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birth stories

Rihanna gave birth in pearls and sunglasses

Rihanna gave birth in pearls and sunglasses—why every mom deserves to feel powerful in labor

Research shows that women giving birth in environments that help her feel calm and supported is directly tied to positive birth outcomes.

Updated Mar. 10, 2025
Brussels Airlines - Baby born on flight

Flight attendant helps deliver baby mid-air: ‘I might have been a midwife in another life’

A routine flight took an unforgettable turn when a mom went into labor mid-air—leading to a remarkable team effort at 30,000 feet.

Updated Feb. 17, 2025
Woman gives birth on NYC subway

Baby born on the NYC subway—and strangers rallied to help in a moment of pure humanity

A 25-year-old woman went into labor around 11:30 a.m. on a southbound W train.

Updated Feb. 13, 2025
New Hampshire - Dispatcher holding the baby he helped deliver

911 dispatcher reunites with New Hampshire family after life-changing emergency birth

“You guys have had a lasting impact on me. I’m not going to forget it.”

Updated Feb. 13, 2025
Childbirth - Woman holding her baby who she gave birth to in the back of an ambulance

‘You kept me calm’: Michigan mom delivers baby in ambulance with help from heroic first responders

While Demsey had experienced childbirth twice before, this delivery was a first for everyone involved, including the Clinton Township paramedics who assisted her.

Updated Dec. 05, 2024
Newborn baby born on American Airlines flight - mom delivers baby on an airplane

Mom picks the PERFECT name for the baby she delivered mid-flight

The baby's unique name reflects the fact that his birth certificate says he was born "in the air."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
Lauren Banks North Carolina holding baby

Mom says her hospital sent her home when she was in labor—her baby was born 30 minutes later

A North Carolina woman delivered her baby at a gas station, which she says easily could have been avoided.

Updated Apr. 05, 2022

All aboard! Woman delivers baby while on bus in Philadelphia

"People already call him Baby 55. They call him Bus," said the new mama.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

My birth story: I wanted an unmedicated birth but back labor changed my mind

I was strong. I was powerful. I was beautiful. I'd done it!

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

My birth story: Two weeks late in a birth center

I started to feel like a watched pot. #StillPregnant became my personal hashtag.

Updated Jan. 31, 2023
woman recovering from a c section

Recovering from my C-section was harder than I imagined

Why was I in so much pain? Am I weaker than all of these other women? How did they make it through this? Why is this so difficult for me?

Updated Oct. 04, 2022

My birth story: How adoption made me a mama

My infertility made me a fighter. It made me believe that anything is possible.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021
c-section scar

My C-section scar makes me feel like a warrior

This scar represents my own grit. My own tenacity. My own stubbornness. Things I now pass down to my daughter.

Updated Sep. 29, 2022

26-year-old woman gives birth from frozen embryo nearly as old as her

As the new mom says, “This embryo and I could have been best friends.”

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

First baby born after successful uterus transplant in America

The landmark birth is the result of a clinical trial and could change the future for many families.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

10 Ways To Find Humor Postpartum

Because infant poop and the pads you wear after birth are funny.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021

Dear NICU mama—I’m the nurse who sees you, everyday

I know you have a million questions and that’s ok.

Updated Jan. 06, 2022

I Had Fake Labor and Still Birthed at Home

A mama labored at home for 70 hours before meeting her new bundle.

Updated Oct. 12, 2021
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