Birth Story:: Skylar Rose <3
I just built a website and this is my first blog post.
*gulp*
Be gentle on me. :)
It seems only appropriate that my first blog post be about my first Birth Story. For years I got inquiries on taking "birth photos". I've been in photography for 12 years. No, there weren't 12 years of inquiries on birth photos, but believe me when I say there were more than a few. I always respectfully declined.
You see, in my head, who in the world would want some stranger in the delivery room pointing a camera in their face while they're birthing a human being??! Way to make an uncomfortable situation even more uncomfortable!! This was my thought process as a "young" photographer. I won't share my age on here just yet. No, I'm not that "type" of person, I just know I'm young to some, and to some, I'm old!!! (I'm talking to you, my 5 year old daughter!) Yes, move forward some years and I am a mommy, twice!! And yes, I was still refusing "birth photos".
With both my beautiful children I requested that the only people in the delivery room be myself, my husband, and of course the people doing their job! I always thought this is such a beautiful moment it should only be shared with your spouse. I didn't want anyone extra in the room "gawking" at me.
Two kids down and two years later I start thinking about this whole "birth photos" thing. I start thinking about the special, beautiful time giving birth to my children with my husband at my side. I see the memories in photographs in my mind (that were never taken), and feel the memories flood my heart. Remember how I mentioned getting older earlier? My mind slips sometimes and now when I think about it, it's in flashes of memories, pieces of this and that, here and there. I think, how wonderful would it be if I had pictures to look back on that reminded me of every special moment, especially that moment I see my baby for the first time?
It was almost instantaneous. I'm adding "Birth Stories" to my services offered. Every parent deserves this. Why didn't I see this before? So blinded by my own stubborn reasoning of husband and wife only. One more person who stands on the sidelines, is out of the way when you need it, and is there to capture the moments you don't want to slip your mind later on, that person seems so necessary now!
With all that being said, I want to share some photos from my very first birth story with you.
There was a struggle in finding out when I should get to the hospital for this one. Skylar's mommy, Billie was going in at 10:00pm the night before, but wouldn't be induced until 6:00am the following morning. IF she didn't go into labor before being induced. When do I come in? The night before? The following morning? It was tricky for Billie and I to decide, but finally a nurse put our minds at ease in saying they would more than likely not see any progress until the following morning when she was scheduled to get induced. So I left my ringer on loud on my phone that night, JUST in case, and got up at 4:00am the following morning. One good thing about this is when I got to the hospital it was nice and quiet! :)
The nursing staff was very kind and understanding of a woman being there with a camera. Nobody seemed to mind getting their photo taken. Billie was very calm and even cracking jokes. You should have seen her fathers face when he thought the doctor said her name was "Dr. Bonebreaker!" Skylar's dad, Michael was nervous, even if he didn't outright say it. You could see it in his face. Billie said he didn't handle their last babies birth well. This time he stood strong by her side, and even cut the cord with a "steady hand" the doctor said.
Skylar entered this world very quickly, which was a blessing as the doctor said her cord was in a ""true knot". Had Billie had to do too much more pushing it could have been bad. Skylar gave them the cry that they wanted then became this very calm and quiet baby as she was handed to her mommy for some skin to skin time. After this it was time to weigh her and get measurements, she remained calm and quiet. This blew my mind!! Skylar is such a good baby. :)
I hope you enjoy this look into Skylar Rose's birth story as much as I enjoyed documenting it!
