Jess here! I’ve been a doula now for 6 years and a birth photographer for 4. I took a lot more of a back-seat role this year because I traveled all over the place in the Summer and in the Fall. It was by far my lowest numbers attending birth since moving to Pittsburgh but it was worth it. I was able to focus more on experiences with my family. I kind of cashed in all my hard work over the years for one really awesome year. We met many families this year. I love getting to know our clients. I treasure the ones that keep in touch with us and want a relationship beyond the birth room. I just wish I had more time to hang out with everyone!
Hey! It’s me-Kate! What a year. It’s amazing how much can kind of blur together over a years time. I love having this opportunity to really kind of re-live each beautiful birth I had the pleasure of attending this year. So thankful for all of you welcoming me into your birth spaces and sharing your most vulnerable, sacred moments with me. It’s an honor, an actual dream and these are experiences I truly cherish. Thank you for being awesome. Thank you for allowing me to do my dream work. Thank you for being you. I'll be switching roles with Jess a bit this coming year as I take some time away from this work to welcome our little guy in the spring but I’m already looking forward to the few births I will attend in 2020 and really looking into getting back into things full swing in 2021!
A Healing Home Birth
I love this family so much. They were repeat clients from 2 years back. Their first birth deviated dramatically from what we all planned and hoped for. We all worked so hard in that first birth. Everything from getting risked out of her birth place, having to be induced suddenly and a failed/slipped epidural occurred. After their first birth they expressed sadness that the next time around options would be limited because of their cesarean birth. I reassured them that was not at all true and connected them with another client family nearby whose second birth I had recently attended. I’m so happy they reached out to one another and made a friendship. They decided to go the home birth route like the client I connected her with. My greatest hope was that this second time around would be perfect for them. The birth team was back together again helping mom labor like before (her husband, her mom, and I). She birth beautifully and baby was born safely at home. I can count how often I’ve shed a tear or two at a birth. I’m just not that emotional with these things. I definitely shed a few tears at this birth. This family holds a special place in my heart and I’m so happy to be friends with them.
Surprise Unicorn Birth
Every birth worker has a list of ‘unicorn’ births they’d love to attend. For me some of these unicorn births include, a surrogate birth for two Dad’s (I’m lookin’ at you 2020), a twin birth or even a car birth (hey, this is why they’re called unicorn births…a girl can dream!). This incredible couple hired us pretty late in the game. They had some late pregnancy changes pop up which meant they would be birthing in a different town and in a different hospital than they had originally intended. We really didn’t have much time to get to know one another before birth day. When the day came, I showed up to the hospital and we immediately clicked. It was so FUN hanging out with these two during labor. We talked about all kinds of things. Everything from Disney to kids and even my list of unicorn births. Things progressed really smoothly and then really quickly. Mom knew baby was coming so we called for hospital staff to join us. It was clear that they were taking a bit longer than we had time for so I popped into the hallway to check staff status. They were right outside and quickly joined us in the birth room. I resumed my position beside the bed as staff began to get gloved and gowned and we all prepared for go time. I snapped a photo of Mom gripping the bed railing (typically if we’re taking pics of hands on the bed rail that means theres NO baby in sight-LOL) and then LITERALLY THREE SECONDS LATER the next photo I took was baby laying on the bed. In those three seconds Mom made eye contact with me and let me know ‘There is no time’ and I quickly scanned the room only to realize no one was in a position to catch this baby as they were still busy getting gowned and gloved. I looked down and there really was NO time. Baby was coming RIGHT NOW. Instinct took over and I reached down, cupped baby’s head and gently guided her to the bed as the rest of her body was born. I (totally kind of) CAUGHT A BABY! I remember saying “Baby is born!” and staff immediately rushed over. I love the shocked look on Mom’s face (even though I missed focus in that crazy moment it’s still one of my favorite photos! I am sure my face pretty closely resembled her’s). We all had a pretty good laugh after the fact that 1) I had never even thought to add ‘Semi catch a baby‘ to my list of dreamy unicorn births and 2) You just never know when a birth will take a hard left into unicorn kingdom. This is one I will surely NEVER forget.
Born In Love
So much love in this birth space! These two were so connected and so tender and loving toward each other through out the entire duration of welcoming their baby into the world. They were constantly gently touching one another, making eye contact with one another and just truly caring for one another. These sweet moments make up the majority of our birth galleries. The connection and the love. The building excitement and all the precious first. Jess and I love those big epic moments, such as the moment of birth, but a baby’s birth story is so much bigger than that. It’s about their family coming together in one of the most precious, sacred moments of their lives and welcoming them into a bubble of warm, sweet love. These two created that space so well. Watching families in these moments is what makes our job so special. Holding space for love like this is truly a privilege.
A 42 Week Baby
I’ve said it before but it is a bit intimidating when photographers hire us as their photographers! It’s a huge honor but it’s also terrifying! This mother was so good at advocating and expressing her wishes to her medical team throughout her pregnancy and birth. I’m always proud of our clients who want to be a part of the decision-making process in their care. After a long induction process and trying a few things outside the box with the Midwives at Jefferson this family had to deliver baby via cesarean. I was granted permission into the OR and was able to capture her story without missing a beat. Her OB team was very kind and cared about the family. We do have a lot of wonderful OBGYN’s in our city.
Baby Makes Four
This birth was so chill and relaxed. Big sister ended up being in the room for her sisters arrival and I loved seeing her ride the emotional wave that is birth. I think birth is such an incredible event for our young daughters to witness. I mean how cool to see, first hand, the power and magic that is the female body!? I’m sure this experience will leave a lasting impression on her for the rest of her life.
A Surrogate Story
Surrogacy is such a special journey and one that often pulls at heartstrings. Such a special gift from one family to another. How bad can the world really be if there are people in it willing to give such a gift to another? It just makes me feel all the feels and it’s definitely exciting when we have the opportunity to document such a journey. I also had the privilege of working alongside another doula for this birth. This is such a joy for me because it’s always so good to observe and learn from others in this work. We all have such unique strengths we are able to bring to the birth space and I welcome the opportunity to learn from fellow birth workers.
3rd Wild Card
We kind of fought over who was going to go out to this family’s birth. They were so sweet, had a wonderful sense of humor, and just really meshed well with our personalities. I think we all thought baby was just going to slip out but baby had other plans. This family went in several times to try and get things going around the 42 week mark at The Birth Center. Baby was cool being inside instead. Eventually the family had to go all the way to see if baby would come without crossing over to the hospital intervention side of things. They labored for some time at the center but nothing ever really changed. We transferred to West Penn and after more interventions to get things going even more there was still no change. For a third time mom we hoped it would be swift and easy. This third baby seemed to be the wildcard though. After a long induction the family chose to go into the OR while they still had some energy and could enjoy seeing their baby come to the world. I was permitted into the OR after my clients advocated HARD for me. We had gotten permission from everyone on the anesthesia team and I was suited up ready to go when a nurse came in and said the OBGYN said “no way.” The family did not take no for an answer and told the nurse to make the OB to actually come in and talk with them personally. Instead of facing the family she apparently changed her mind suddenly and allowed me into the OR. There is a reason why Kate and I have been able to capture and accompany a huge majority of our clients for a cesarean birth. We do a good job teaching our families how to advocate for themselves and for us.
Rocking Birth Despite Ch-Ch-Changes
Change is HARD. Especially in the middle of labor. You’re so vulnerable and you maybe have some fears and you have to let go of your ideal vision and its just….a lot. AND you have to process all of this and move forward kind of now-ish…wow. It’s hard but you are strong. Our clients teach us that over and over again. YOU ARE STRONG. This first time Mama rocked her birth and the unexpected changes that popped up. She went on to achieve the birth she desired to have despite these changes. That’s STRENGTH.
A Peaceful Water Birth
Birth at The Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health offers birthing people in our area a chance to birth in water if that is their wish. None of the hospitals here in Pittsburgh provide this option so it can sometimes be the deciding factor for families in this area where to plan to birth. This Mom labored so calmly and peacefully in a tub full of warm water. She found comfort in water being poured over her full moon belly during contractions and then weightlessly floated and breathed deeply between contractions. She caught her rainbow baby early one summer morning and gleefully took in the surprise of learning that the baby cradled in her arms was a daughter.
When The Sky Bursts With Joy
Having two little girls myself, I’m a pretty big fan of sweet, tiny bundles of baby girl joy. I loved watching this super sweet family welcome their third daughter. Even the new day celebrated her arrival with a gorgeous display of light. Baby girl was peacefully welcomed into a warm, sweet, loving new home earth side with her family of Mom, Dad and two big sisters.
Beautiful Midwife Center Birth
Two years ago I had to go to 2 births in one day. I had a back up in place but not someone any of my clients knew. I was lucky and one girl had her baby in the morning and the other girl had her baby in the evening. This time we had 2 girls in labor at the same time delivering an hour apart from one another. They both knew us and had relationships with us. A partnership really is an amazing thing not just for us as doula/photographers but it really does benefit our clients. This family had such a perfect birth at our Birth Center. It was exactly the kind of birth I hoped to capture after being gone for much of summer. A very good, getting back in the swing of things kind of birth!
Calm and Steady
This mom could have been in a birth video for a childbirth education class. She was so calm and got the job done. Her husband was willing to do everything and anything for her in labor. I’d show him a small trick and he’d eagerly jump in right away. He was an amazing birth partner. It is always a little scary walking into a new hospital we’ve never been in but it always seems to be just fine. I was actually very happy with the team at St. Clair Hospital. Their nurse was exceptional and I was quite impressed with their OB. It’s hard to judge a hospital after only one client experience but it was very promising and we hope to work more in this facility in the future. There was a small complication after the birth in which mom had to go away for a while and dad stepped up without any hesitation. This family was just super solid. I’m so happy to have been a part of this birth with them.
Sunflowers
This mom kept her expertise on the down-low at her birth. She is a labor and delivery nurse herself. They were a super chill couple that was so pleasant to be around. Their birth was pretty uneventful (which is a good thing) until the end when baby’s heart rate wasn’t recovering quite how the OB wanted and asked to do a quick vacuum delivery at the end. It was quick and baby was out in no time. Baby had so much vernix! Her family joined them after birth and we took lovely photos of their family together. Pictures do actually matter. Shortly after this family’s birth her mother passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. My hope is that birth stories we capture give our clients good memories or at least processing difficult times.
All You Need Is….Sleep
Love is great and all but sometimes, all you really need is a NAP! It’s amazing to see women’s bodies in work during labor and delivery. I love watching women listening to what their bodies are telling them and surrendering to what they are hearing. Sometimes it’s not part of the original plan and sometimes it can be difficult to let go of that and feel strong and confident in a new course but more often than not it can result in surprisingly positive outcomes. These two labored hard and loooonnnggg (hello prodromal labor) together so beautifully. Labor is extremely physically and mentally demanding. This wise Mama knew that after days and weeks of hard work she needed a rest. One word from her (Pineapple!) and we all surrounded her with support in her choice for an epidural. She was then able to have a light snack and SLEEP. To their great surprise she quickly progressed and in the blink of an eye her baby was in her arms.
Sleeping WARRIOR
This Mom straight up SLEPT her way to complete dilation! I’m talking, no pain meds, no epidural, first time Mom just sleeping and then waking up complete. We (and the rest of her birth team) were totally planning on a long road. It didn’t seem like contractions were in a steady enough pattern (on the monitor and in Moms behaviors…hello SLEEPING) to be making significant cervical changes so we were ALL shocked when Mom suddenly woke up and was exhibiting ‘its time’ behaviors. Her water ruptured moments later and a quick cervical exam confirmed that it was indeed TIME. Baby was born to these first time parents a very short 20 minutes later! So many crazy awesome parts of this birth story but I loved so much hearing Dad repeat over and over “We did it Love” once babe was on her Mama’s chest. So much palpable love in this birth space! Just goes to show that BIRTH IS UNPREDICTABLE in the coolest, craziest, most awesome ways. Every single birth is an epic adventure!
0 to 100, It Happens
Birth is incredibly unpredictable. You can be chilling and laboring without issues and then suddenly baby doesn’t tolerate something. Often a position change can fix things but sometimes it doesn’t. We always keep in good communication with our families in labor but when things happen suddenly we are scrambling to get to our clients as quickly as possible. This family chose for us to hold back as things were moving too quickly and requested us to come after baby was born. We took after birth photos the next morning for them. 90% of the time we are with families way before baby is born. 9% of the time we are speeding down the road and barely make it. 1% of the time (always because of fate) we miss a birth. We often come right out but we also let our families take the lead and they are the ones who tell us when to meet them in birth or after.
