A Brazilian photographer has captured his girlfriend’s homebirth in a series of hauntingly beautiful photos. Gustavo Gomes took the photos as much for his own personal reasons but also for a much bigger cause.

“Besides being our personal story, we hope these photos can raise awareness about natural and home childbirth in Brazil,” he says.

Brazil has the highest caesarean rates in the world- 50% of births in the public sector and 87% in the private.

“Most of them with no medical reasons, just because c-sections can be scheduled and are quicker for the doctors to operate,” Gomez says.

Gomez and his girlfriend Prisclila did however have a doula, obstetrician and paediatrician with them and added they never felt helpless or afraid at any stage.

“We hope that these photos can demystify natural and home childbirths and encourage future mothers to avoid unneccesary c-sections,” he says.

The series of photos captures the process from when it began on Sunday night and well into the next day. It was intense and painful at times, as most labours usually are.

The photographer had been documenting his girlfriend in their home for a while now and continued to do so all through her ‘surprise’ pregnancy. The home birth resulted in the successful birth of their daughter Violeta.

Gomez says that the day of the birth was intense. The labouring mother was in a lot of pain and couldn’t sleep. Before the photo series above began, Gomes took his girlfriend to the doctor. After it was confirmed she was dilated, the couple went back home.

Through these stunning photos Gomes captured the reality, beauty and pain of giving birth at home.

Have you experienced a home birth? Would you ever consider one?

All photos by Gustavo Gomes.