Sojourning Birth: Birth Doula, Photos & Film

Sojourning Birth: Birth Doula, Photos & Film Norma Hess is a birth photographer and doula.

She's an internationally published professional photographer/videographer who has been documenting births and families in the RGV since 2015.

Advocacy doesn’t just to our birth spaces. 🤍
05/18/2025

Advocacy doesn’t just to our birth spaces. 🤍

New guidelines urge doctors to “not underestimate the pain experienced by patients” during the IUD insertion procedure and outlined a range of pain management options. https://nyti.ms/3H0mE9G

05/15/2025

What’s in breastmilk:
1. Water
Breastmilk is composed of about 87% water, which is crucial for keeping your baby hydrated.

2. Proteins
Proteins in breastmilk are essential for your baby’s growth and development.
Whey Proteins: Are highest in early lactation.
Casein Proteins: Casein concentration increases in mature milk and later lactation.

Proteins are highest in premature milk, colostrum and during weaning as an immune defence.

3. Fats
The fats in breastmilk include essential fatty acids, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are crucial for brain and eye development.
The composition of fats in breast milk changes during each feed and throughout lactation to meet your baby’s developmental needs. The fat content of your milk is directly related to the fullness or emptiness of the breast. The emptier the breast, the higher the fat content.

4. Carbohydrates
The primary carbohydrate in breastmilk is lactose, which provides energy for your baby and aids in calcium absorption. Additionally, breastmilk contains oligosaccharides, which are complex sugars that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protect against harmful pathogens.

5. Vitamins and Minerals
Breastmilk is rich in vitamins and minerals essential for your baby’s growth and overall health. These include:
Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K: support immune function, bone health, and overall development.

6. Antibodies and Immune Cells
One of the most remarkable aspects of breast milk is its immune-boosting properties. Breast milk contains antibodies, such as Secretory IgA specifically to protect mucosal surfaces, as well as lysozymes and lactoferrin which help protect your baby from infections and illnesses.

7. Hormones and Growth Factors
Breastmilk contains various hormones and growth factors that have significant effects on the developing baby’s gut, blood vessels, nervous system and endocrine system.

These include:
Prolactin and Oxytocin
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)

Gracias Parteras 😍🥰🫶🏽🥹
05/06/2025

Gracias Parteras 😍🥰🫶🏽🥹

| 🤲🏽

Hoy reconocemos y honramos la labor de las parteras indígenas y afromexicanas, quienes con su sabiduría ancestral acompañan el momento más sagrado de la vida: el nacimiento.

Su trabajo no solo salva vidas, también preserva prácticas culturales profundas y fortalece la salud materna y comunitaria en regiones donde el acceso a servicios médicos es limitado.

Ellas son el vínculo entre la tradición y el cuidado, entre el cuerpo y el espíritu, entre la comunidad y la vida nueva. 🌿

08/22/2024

Pushing Time - a critical hour in in-hospital childbirth

Ever wondered when the most mistreatment occurs during in-hospital childbirth? Brace yourself—it's the hour around THE BIRTH OF THE BABY! 🤯 Not a shocker for those in L&D who truly understand the high stakes, low capacity for critical thinking, and heightened patient risk during this intense period.⁠

In labor, we pride ourselves on support MANY position changes, yet our person-centered care often takes a backseat when the illusion of "control" seems preventive of harm. 😬

This is a common narrative, deeply ingrained in birth-care culture, but here's the exciting part—we have the power to change it!⁠

Birth care in the second stage demands buy-in and an overhaul at the individual, team, and system levels. ⁠

💥All perinatal professional orgs recommend out-of-supine pushing and birth positions💥⁠
and all of those positions from labor - they're birth positions too!

Is your team moving away from forced birth positions or stuck in the "this is how we've always done it" zone?

Image source: The Birth Nurse, https://lnkd.in/eHcQTZbf

Thank you for doing this today Peek-A-Boo Baby RGV 🥳🥳🥳
07/28/2024

Thank you for doing this today Peek-A-Boo Baby RGV 🥳🥳🥳

TODAY is the day ••• FREE ULTRASOUNDS! 🤍🤍🤍 12pm -3pm.

• Walk-in basis.
• Quick peek at baby.
• Sending you home with images and videos to your cell phone, and one printed image.
• Nothing needed. Just make sure that if you’re bringing people with you, they are all with you by the time I call you in.

🤍 If this is your first ultrasound, I’ll measure baby for you and give you an estimated due date. 🥰

ONLY 12pm -3pm!
See yall soon! 😍

7001 N. 10th St.
Suite 300
McAllen 78504

3rd floor above Oak Bar.
Elevators are inside the building.

Today was a great day to connect with more birth workers and learn from the wonderful Amiel at  I’m proud to be a part o...
06/28/2024

Today was a great day to connect with more birth workers and learn from the wonderful Amiel at
I’m proud to be a part of the placenta encapsulation specialists team in the RGV!
We will be rolling out the service at Sojourning Birth soon! 🫶🏽🥳

06/28/2024

🤍🤍🤍

We're proud to serve all low-risk pregnancies at our birth center in Brownsville and for home births

🌟 Discover the Magic of Belly Mapping with Your Midwife! 🌟Are you expecting and curious about your baby’s position? 🤰✨ B...
06/04/2024

🌟 Discover the Magic of Belly Mapping with Your Midwife! 🌟
Are you expecting and curious about your baby’s position? 🤰✨ Belly mapping is a wonderful technique used by midwives to help you understand your baby’s position in the womb. By knowing where your baby is situated, you can feel more connected and better prepared for the birthing process.
🔍 What is Belly Mapping?
Belly mapping involves gentle palpation and understanding your baby’s movements to map out their position. It’s an amazing way to visualize your little one’s space inside your belly and bond with them even before birth! 💖
🤱 Why Should You Try It?
• Enhanced Bonding: Feel closer to your baby as you learn about their position.
• Birth Preparation: Helps in planning for labor and delivery.
• Peace of Mind: Gain insights into your baby’s well-being and development.
💬 Have you tried belly mapping or are you curious to learn more about it? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s start a conversation about this beautiful practice. 💬👇


Looking forward to hearing your stories and questions! 💕✨

05/17/2024

🎉 Attention RGV! You’re invited to the 2nd Annual Baby Shower and Maternity Expo.

Join us for this free event to meet local vendors, discover resources, and explore must-try products and services. See you on Sunday, May 19th, 2024, at La Condesa Event Center in San Juan. Don’t miss out! 🍼👶

Discover the transformative care and nurturing environment of Holy Family Birthing Center in Weslaco, Texas! 🌿🏥 Dedicate...
05/06/2024

Discover the transformative care and nurturing environment of Holy Family Birthing Center in Weslaco, Texas! 🌿🏥 Dedicated to empowering families through holistic and personalized maternity care, this center has wonderful certified nurse midwives and is a sanctuary for childbirth. 🌟 From serene birthing suites to compassionate midwives, every aspect is designed to honor the sacred journey of bringing new life into the world. 💖✨ Join us in celebrating these incredible midwives on this -HF Birthing Center is truly a place where every birth is cherished and every family is supported. 🤘🏾

Midwives are the unsung heroes of our communities, guiding new life into the world with expertise, compassion, and unwav...
05/05/2024

Midwives are the unsung heroes of our communities, guiding new life into the world with expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication. 🌟 From the first moments of pregnancy to the miracle of birth, they provide crucial support, empowering families with knowledge and care every step of the way. 💖 Let's take a moment to honor these incredible individuals who nurture and protect the health and well-being of mothers and babies alike. 🤰👶 Heart of Gaia Midwifery Services

Every community has its unsung heroes, and today, I want to shine a light on one of the most vital: midwives. 🌟 These in...
05/05/2024

Every community has its unsung heroes, and today, I want to shine a light on one of the most vital: midwives. 🌟 These incredible individuals are the silent champions of our neighborhoods, bringing new life into the world with grace, compassion, and expertise.

From the quiet moments of support during labor to the empowering guidance in prenatal care, midwives are the heartbeat of maternal and newborn health. They don't just deliver babies; they deliver hope, strength, and a sense of security to families in their most vulnerable moments.

Their dedication goes beyond the birth space. Midwives are educators, advocates, and pillars of support for birthing people throughout their entire journey to parenthood. They ensure that every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered to make informed choices about their health and the health of their baby.

Today, let's take a moment to appreciate and celebrate the incredible work of midwives in our communities. Their impact ripples far beyond the walls of the birth space, shaping the future each time they compassionately show up for families. Thank you, midwives, for your unwavering commitment to the well-being of birthing folks, babies, and families everywhere. 🌺

Address

McAllen, TX

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sojourning Birth: Birth Doula, Photos & Film posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Sojourning Birth: Birth Doula, Photos & Film:

Share

About Norma

Sojourn: stay somewhere temporarily.

Parenting is no easy journey, but I am committed to support you through this transformational time, whether it’s with my visual art or my emotional and physical support.

Who am I?

I am a Mexican-American artist and doula raised in the RGV.