Birth Stories

Katrina has been the breadwinner of the family, but now that she's due to give birth to her second child, her role is about to change. Carla and Mike have been married for years and have now decided they're ready to add another person to their family. Kevin is gay and about to become a dad. A surrogate mother, Karen will give birth to his biological child, courtesy of an anonymous donor egg.

Kevin and his father get the crib ready for his baby who will be delivered by a surrogate in the coming weeks. 18-year-old Nicole is eight months pregnant and no longer with the biological father of her baby. Carla's mid-wife arrives when her contractions are in full swing. Carla stays at home as long as she possibly can, but when the pain becomes intolerable, they head off to the hospital.

Erika's first child had a water birth and she plans to repeat the experience with her second. Kevin's life long dream has come true; he's now the proud father of a 9 pound 4 ounce baby girl named Taylor Evelyn. Taylor was born during the SARS outbreak and Kevin had to wait in a deserted hospital by himself as the surrogate delivered his baby. Nicole's pregnancy is nearing the end.

Chris and her husband Mike are expecting a child in four weeks, which will be their fourth child under the age of six. Erika invites some of her closest friends to partake in a Navaho ritual, which celebrates a pregnant woman's journey from childhood to motherhood. Eighteen year old Nicole gets ready for the big day. Once at the hospital, Nicole endures labor without the aid of painkillers.

Lee decided to found her own dance company when she was three months pregnant with her second child. Erika's contractions have started and are developing rapidly. She abandons her dream of a water birth and moves to the bedroom. Chris is hoping a little exertion might kick start her contractions. A few days before her due date, Chris' contractions start but subside in the middle of the night.

In the final moments of Chris's pregnancy, they discover the umbilical cord is wrapped twice around the baby's neck. Fifteen year old Chelsea planned her pregnancy. Her mother Dixie is planning to seek custody of the child. Chelsea is happy about the pregnancy, as it has lead her away from drugs and alcohol and towards a greater respect for her life. Lee is anxious about her upcoming delivery.

Nicole's first birth was fast and furious, she and her mid-wife are keeping their fingers crossed that the second time around will be more relaxed. Lee's contractions have started. At the hospital, Lee becomes upset when she discovers her labor is progressing very slowly. Chelsea and her boyfriend had a fight. Meanwhile, she's having contractions. Dixie decides to take her to the hospital.

Pregnancy took Michelle by surprise. A scare three months into her pregnancy that resulted in five weeks of bed rest changed the way she felt. Nicole and Paul look to their African heritage to guide them through parenthood. Chelsea's water has broken and she's admitted to the hospital. By the time she requests an epidural it's too late - it's time to push.

Billy and Charles are expecting a third child. Billy is deaf and Charles is her interpreter. Charles is a trained doulah. Nicole's labor moves quickly. When it comes time to push, it takes just one for the baby's head to emerge. Michelle's injury to her tailbone and her congenital heart problems, have made it impossible for her to consider a vaginal delivery.

At the hospital, Michelle is anxious about having an epidural. Her husband, David, starts feeling queasy and leaves the room. Billy's contractions start in the middle of the night and then suddenly stop. When they return, Billy spends most of her labor in the water. Kevin is now a full time stay-at-home dad. He shares his experience with other gay men interested in becoming dads via surrogacy.