[ Plans Change - A Birth Story ]

One of the things I was most apprehensive about with photographing births, was photographing a birth story like my own - not because it wasn’t all worth it, but because it was traumatic, and not at all what I had in mind. Well, it happened. And it was still as beautiful and as perfect as all births are, no matter their path.

Mom texted me when she went to the hospital, her water had broken in the evening and she was having contractions. At about 5AM the next morning I headed up to the hospital. Mom labored without pain medication for the better part of 12 hours - then received some nitrous and then an epidural. In the evening her labor began to stall and Pitocin was started. When the OB came in to check her after almost 24 hours of labor, he told her that she was going to have a C-section.

plans changed.

I could tell by her face that this was not the way she wanted things to go. After working so hard for so long, she began to cry (for the first time during her labor). Arrangements were made, and she was taken to the OR. My heart broke for her, I remembered the same experiences, the same fear of unknown, worry for your baby, and disappointment that the first time you see your child will be over a surgeon’s curtain rather than lifting them onto your chest with your own hands.

She rallied.

She kept going.

Then, before the day was done she had her daughter in her arms, with her family and friends surrounding her, and a LONG awaited taco casa burrito :) becoming a mother is a lesson in adaptability and perseverance - some just learn that lesson differently than others. When plans change, it’s okay - because paramount to everything else is the safety and journey of a new life into this world…

I am so grateful that her story ended on a happier note than mine (#NICUparent) and that both Mom and baby were healthy. Happy birthday sweet baby girl, your family loves you.