Parenting
These Heartfelt Images Honor Labor Nurses Everywhere
by Julia Hart
Updated: Jan. 8, 2021
Originally Published: Sep. 18, 2017
Images via Laura Bennett
Photographer’s collection serves as a reminder of the incredible support mothers receive during labor.
Recently, we featured a poignant photo of a nurse assisting a new mother in the bathroom after childbirth. This seemingly simple moment resonated deeply with women, reminding them of the invaluable presence of their nurses during such a significant time in their lives.
This touching image from photographer Laura Bennett of MommaKTShoots went viral after being shared by Emma Thompson from the blog, Baby Joy.
“I’ll never forget the faces of the nurses who guided me through the bathroom after the births of my children. In those moments, I felt so vulnerable, exhausted, and anxious,” Thompson shared. “My belly was shrinking, and my modesty was long forgotten. They treated me with utmost kindness and dignity. For me, these instances were empowering, confirming that I had a supportive village, even if it was just for that brief moment in the restroom, sitting on the toilet while a compassionate nurse helped me with an ice pack for my mesh underwear.”
Bennett compiled a series of images from various birth sessions to create a portfolio that captures how nurses support women through some of the most intimate and daunting experiences of labor. The results are profound.
She provided the following captions:
- “Samantha Greene, CNM at City Hospital, offering hands-on support.”
- “Megan Hart, CNM at Riverside Medical Center, checking in on a laboring mama.”
- “Laura Smith, CNM at Hilltop Regional Medical Center, admiring a fresh little one!”
- “Certified Nurse Midwife providing comfort during an unplanned cesarean.”
- “Jessica Brown, CNM at City Hospital, eagerly awaiting a baby’s arrival!”
- “Sarah Johnson, CNM, supporting a mother (also a CNM!) during a homebirth.”
We received countless comments from readers recalling the significant role their nurses played in their journeys.
“One of my first memories after my c-section was a nurse helping me adjust my mesh underwear. She was so kind and made a vulnerable moment feel less embarrassing,” shared one mother. “Nurses deserve more recognition than they often get. They truly are the backbone of healthcare.”
Another commenter reflected, “I was overwhelmed with emotion when the nurse who stayed with me through the night after my daughter was born said goodbye. She was incredible, and we both shed tears. It’s a beautiful experience to be supported during those early days, and I felt gratitude I had never known before.”
The entire thread of comments showcases how deeply we remember the nurses who guided us through these life-changing experiences, even when we were too dazed to express it at the time.
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In summary, these intimate photographs serve as a heartfelt tribute to labor nurses everywhere, highlighting the profound impact they have on new mothers during their most vulnerable moments.