Baby Day(s) | Roanoke Fine Art & Birth Photographer

As I mentioned in my last post, my sister went into labor two days after we did her maternity session!  Or the start of labor anyway.  She ended up being in labor for 4, yes I said 4, days.  We went to the hospital 3 days after I did the session, on a Wednesday afternoon.  I hope you'll bear with me on a longer than normal post, but I really think these birth sessions deserve more images to tell the true story of the new life we welcomed.



Yet another gorgeous view outside these Roanoke Hospital windows!













Settling down for the night.  Night #1.






After night #2.


She made it to around 8 cms, and just wasn't progressing from there.  What we didn't know then is that the little guy's head was not in the correct position.  It was decided a c/s was the best course of action.  My poor sister was so exhausted, she had absolutely no strength left.  I was glad to see that she would finally get her much needed rest.




Finally, after hours of waiting, I finally got to meet my brand new nephew!






My sister, despite being awake during the surgery, was so exhausted that she passed out before she got to see her son for the first time.  And because she had been running a fever, they treated him with antibiotics before they would allow him to come to her room after she had been moved.  She had to wait 6 hours before she got to meet her baby.  Thinking about witnessing that first meeting still brings tears to my eyes.










Congratulations Ashely and David, he is just beautiful.

Birth Day - Christmas Edition | Maryland Fine Art & Birth Photographer

I absolutely love shooting births.  It is by far my favorite of all of the things I do.  Even when things get a little unpredictable.  Well, I should say because things become unpredictable, it keeps it interesting!

Remember this couple?  Mom had a due date of Christmas Day.  It was her first baby.  I thought the chances of baby being born on Christmas Day are really slim to none.  The percentage of babies born on their actual due date is very tiny!  Lo and behold...I got the text Christmas Eve that mom was in labor.

I always try and get to the hospital around 6 cm dilated.  That gives me some time to capture the contraction stage and the between moments before the really hard work comes in.  I was in close contact with Mom during her labor, so again imagine my surprise when last I heard she was at 4 cm, and the next text I received was that she was ready to push!  It was a mad rush, but I got there around 9 pm with plenty of time to spare.














This was probably the most determined and focused mom I've ever met during labor!  Smiling, asking her husband how he was holding up between contractions and pushing.  After nearly 4 HOURS of pushing, without an epidural, Mom and Dad finally got to meet their Christmas morning surprise.  Just before 1 AM on Christmas Day, their little princess entered the world.  Hearing them say "It's a girl?  We got a girl!!" almost made me wish I had been patient enough to wait until baby's birth day to find out the sex of my babies!





A hefty 8 and a half pounds!







Congratulations Mom and Dad on your beautiful baby girl!  I am so honored to have been a part of your amazing story.