Born at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, MN | A Preview of an Unmedicated Hospital Birth in Photographs
July 15, 2025
Birth Location: Ridgeview Hospital
Birth Doula: Gather Birth Cooperative
Birth Photography: Gather Birth Cooperative
Unmedicated birth in a hospital setting is possible. Just like any birth preparation, it requires the right kind of homework ahead of time to help make your goals possible. As birth doulas and birth photographers, we’ve seen many families achieve a natural, unmedicated birth at hospitals, birth centers, and through home birth, all across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the greater Twin Cities area.
This family reached out to me for doula support and birth photography ahead of the birth of their third baby. They had two previous unmedicated births out-of-state and were looking for support navigating an unmedicated hospital birth in a new place.
One of the best tricks on their side? This birthing parent labored at home for as long as possible. Laboring at home for as long as you feel comfortable is an evidence-supported way to reduce the risk of unnecessary medical interventions, which for this family, included the use of medicated pain management.
It can be hard to finally make the transition from home to the hospital, and it often comes with contractions spacing out, which is very normal. Finding a new rhythm at your birth location is an important step in centering your confidence and continuing toward the goal of a natural, unmedicated birth.
As always, I’m constantly in awe of the work we do while giving birth, and this family was no exception!
xoxo,
Gina
+The Gather Birth team
