Birth Stories 2020

...because sharing stories is powerful!

Meet the winners of the Birth Story Contest and read their birth stories.

We believe these stories are the beginning of a birth culture change, a culture of solidarity between birthers, a culture of strength and resilience.

If you missed the Birth Sharing Circle, a Zoom event held on October 3rd, 2020, you can watch it now. Such a beautiful and powerful event where some winners of the Birth Story Contest share their stories.

We are publishing one honorable mention birth story every Friday!

Don't miss any!

by Ashley Lightfoot

First-Place Laureate

Birth of the Tiger

Residing in Squamish, BC with her partner, Eric, two kidlets, and a kitty, Ashley became a certified doula after the birth of her first child. She adores helping families create peaceful and joyous transformation. Ashley is a member of the BC Doula Services Association, as well as the Tantalus Wellspring Society, a charity which assists those experiencing barriers in accessing mental wellness therapies.

She can be reached at www.moonbeamdoula.ca

Cutting Ties and Letting Go

by Lori Sebastianutti

Second-Place Laureate

Lori is a writer and teacher from Stoney Creek, Ontario. She is the former managing editor of the Fertility Matters Canada blog and her most recent work appeared in The Hamilton Review of Books.

You can find her on Twitter @sebastianl74 and on Instagram @sebastianlwrites and can read more of her work at lorisebastianutti.com.

Luna Rising

by Mercedes Papalia

Third-Place Laureate

Mercedes is a multi-disciplinary storyteller through art, design, and creative writing. Her journey began as an acting and vocal student at a young age and she continues to expand and diversify her creative practices. She currently works as an interior stylist, visual artist, and production designer for film and television. Mercedes is a devoted mother, wife, and lover of fresh flowers and authentic Italian food, forever in the pursuit of a beautiful life.

Surprise Baby

by Susan Flanagan

Honorable Mention

Susan Flanagan has worked as a freelance journalist (BJ, King’s College, NS, 1991) and columnist in St. John’s, NL for almost 30 years.

Two of her novels will be published in 2021: The Degrees of Barley Lick (Running the Goat Books & Broadsides) and Supermarket Baby, winner 2019 Percy Janes First Novel Award (Flanker Press).

To find out more here or on her Facebook page.

She Who Brings Forth

the Blossoms

by Leah Timmermann

Honorable Mention

Leah Timmermann lives in rural Eastern Ontario. She works as a midwife but is currently on leave with her 3-month-old daughter. She and her family live in a tiny house that they built on their family's land. She loves reading, cooking, and anything outdoors.

It All Makes Sense Now

by Camille Ramsperger

Honorable Mention

Camille Ramsperger is a 26-year-old single mother to a beautiful baby boy named Theodore. She is a full-time nurse working in the emergency department at her nearest hospital. She meant to write her birth story so as not to forget it, and the Birth Story Contest gave her the motivation to do so.

Worth It

by Angela Douglas

Honorable Mention

Angela Douglas has written on and off through the years. Most of her University focus was dedicated to English, Creative Writing,

and Journalism. In her career, she has written copy, web content, brochures, and other trade-related material for various industries. Outside of work, she has recently produced a handful of manuscripts, yet to be published. She is currently a real estate agent and proud mother of two in sunny Summerland, BC.

Birth Plan

by Brittany Oliver

Honorable Mention

Brittany Oliver has been an Ontario midwife for three years and has recently become a new mother! In fact, she is currently on leave with her beautiful baby girl, born on April 14th, 2020. The shift from midwife to mama has been wonderful, eye-opening, challenging and so fulfilling. Creative writing has been a hobby and outlet of hers since childhood. She lives in Welland, Ontario with her husband and daughter, their aussie shepherd, and 13-year-old turtle.

Birth Plan

by Brittany Oliver

Honorable Mention

Brittany Oliver has been an Ontario midwife for three years and has recently become a new mother! In fact, she is currently on leave with her beautiful baby girl, born on April 14th, 2020. The shift from midwife to mama has been wonderful, eye-opening, challenging and so fulfilling. Creative writing has been a hobby and outlet of hers since childhood. She lives in Welland, Ontario with her husband and daughter, their aussie shepherd, and 13-year-old turtle.

Delivered

by Christine Folan

Honorable Mention

Christine Folan is a married mother of two living in Southwestern Ontario. She is a high school English and Drama teacher for the French Catholic School board in her region. An avid reader, she is trying to instill a love of fantasy, adventure and mystery into her children by making them lovers of books and stories.

The honorable mention winners are:

Name From Title

Danielle BoByk Kingston, ON Reclaiming My Birth Story

Angela Douglas Summerland, BC Worth It

Susan Flanagan St. John’s, NL Surprise Baby

Christine Folan Chatham, ON Delivered

Jenna Kovacic Richmond Hill, ON Believing in your Body

Dana MacDonald Kingston, ON Our Rainbow

Sheena McDonald Toronto, ON Surprise!

Julie Meier Calgary, AB Mother Knows Best

Kristin Nuttal Pemberton, BC A Full Moon Eclipse Birth

Brittany Oliver Welland, ON Birth Plan

Camille Ramsberger Keswick, ON It All Makes Sense Now

Alison Ryder Kingston, ON Just Like Hollywood

Sharon Shisvin Winnipeg, MB Labour, Delivery and a Grateful Grandmother

Leah Timmerman Maberly, ON She Who Brings Forth the Blossoms

Sara Wettlaufer Petawawa, ON A Dramatic Debut

These honorable mention stories will be published on our website — one story each week until all are published. Don’t miss any, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.