Austin & Jimmy were so excited to welcome Baby Owen into the world in early March 2020 via a repeat scheduled c-section. Her 9am appointment got bumped to noon and then to 2pm and finally after what seemed like DAYS, Austin was wheeled into the OR at 3:30pm. Hungry, excited and a little nervous, she had the best staff who was joking about “getting dolled up” for the photographer (ME) and they were excited to see the images of them hard at work.
Everything went amazing until baby Owen took a gulp of fluid and needed a little oxygen. He was immediately brought over to be looked at by the on call pediatrician and taken moments later to the nursery for observation. Everything turned out great and Owen is just fine but my heart ached for this mama who was unable to even see her baby until the next morning.
The nurses and doctors atExeter Hospital were AMAZING and gave access for me to capture so many “firsts” that she may otherwise have missed – big brother meeting his new best buddy, Owens first cries and everyone in the waiting room who was holding space. (This was all pre-pandemic of course).
After many tries to get out of bed to be wheeled in to meet her baby we knew it was not going to happen that night so with the help of a little technology (FaceTime), Austin was finally able to see baby Owen.
The next day, we captured their reunion and one of his very first feedings. It was magical! Birth is birth no matter what and we can’t always plan for the outcomes. In this case, mom & dad were so grateful for a happy and healthy baby and I was happy I could help to fill in some of the rest.
Today little Logan turns ONE and I can’t believe it. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was meeting his mom and dad as they patiently waited for his arrival. Most birth clients book me around 30 weeks but this mama well into their third trimester when we met. Dad had seen one of my birth’s on Facebook and said “WE NEED TO HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER”. I was so happy when they called.
These newlyweds were so excited to meet this little man and I was secretly hoping he would make his appearance on my birthday, January 11th (which was also his due date) but mom had been having pre-term labor so we all believed he would come closer to Christmas.
On January 7th, I got the call I had been waiting for…”I think I might be in labor, but I am going to go walk the mall so I can get these contractions regular”. BABY TIME! Around 9pm they got to the hospital and things were progressing nicely.
I arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital at around midnight and Alicia was riding the wave of contractions pretty hard. With the help of her mom, husband and an amazing nurse she was breathing through these very powerful contractions.
Laboring through the night and into the morning hours with no progress, on January 8th, the decision was made that Logan would be born via Cesarean Section. Unfortunately, this meant I would not be permitted into the OR but dad was up for the challenge. Justin gowned up, got a quick camera tutorial and was ready to take on photographing his wife deliver their son in the OR. I have to say, he and the head nurse did a great job!
Many people ask me about photographing a c-section and I always say that I would LOVE to be in there but it is ultimately up to the doctors on call. With this being said, I think it is EXTREMELY important as a Birth Photographer to be there for all of it even if not at the main event.
For my c-section mamas, it is so amazing for them to see how strong they were and also, they get to see ALL the things that they may have missed due to being in recovery. Daddy meeting baby, those first cries, and any measurements that may have been taken. It is always my goal that mom can relive EVERYTHING from that day and if I can help do that, I have done my job.
With all c-section moms, I offer to come back the next day or two days later to do a Fresh 48 session since most of the time after the long time in recovery, they just want to sleep. I was so excited to head back a couple days later to capture Logan’s Fresh 48 Hospital Session.
Stay tuned for part 2 of Logan’s Birth Story later this week…
As a Seacoast NH Birth Photographer, I am honored to be a part of your birth story no matter where it takes place. Hospital, Birth Center, Home and even the OR. If you have questions or would like to learn more about Birth Stories by White Wave Photography, CONTACT ME today. I would love to chat more about your vision.
Are you a new mom looking for other moms to lean on?
I made this PRIVATE (moms and expecting moms only) group not only to share my birth and newborn work, but also to moms to connect with other moms and be empowered by each other. As a mom myself, I am always leaning on other moms for support. The expressions, “IT TAKES A VILLAGE” is so freaking true and I wanted to create a place where mamas (new and veterans) could come and support each other.
HELLO
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