Lauren Turner

About the Artist

In a broken system, Lauren decided to opt for a home birth. This decision influenced her to have both of her children at home. She describes her experience as empowering. She felt the strong emotional connection between her mind, body and spirit. Her empowering birth experiences led her to become a birth worker. Lauren supported many families during her doula journey. She supports families in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. After becoming pregnant with my first I was so excited that I posted my new journey on Facebook. I received a message from my high school film teacher. She shared her ideologies of birth. Some of the things she mentioned was shocking. “People really have babies at home?” I asked my husband. Later, she sent me a video called, “The business of being born.” My husband and I watched it, and it opened a new door. I began to research more about birth and decided to opt for a home birth. My first birth journey led me to an empowering home water birth. My labor was primarily alone. I tried to remember how important it was to focus and ride the waves, but most importantly, I followed my body. I felt safe, nurtured, and loved. I labored during my transition period in the bathtub until I got those forceful urges to push. Somehow, I found my way into the birthing pool. I remember feeling so open, amazed, and focused. I heard the natural sounds outside my son’s window. I had the sudden urge to reach down, and I said to myself, “Wow, this is really happening!” My son’s head was peeking out, and I felt so much hair. I started to rush but felt the burn, so I took my time and worked with my body. My husband was able to catch our baby boy in the water. I didn’t need any physical help, but having a midwife in my birthing space allowed me to feel safe while experiencing the birth my way.

Artist's Statement

Lauren is a certified birth doula who uses her energetic love for birth to create works of art around the birth process. She became passionate about birth through her own birth experiences.