Baby Hazard :: A Birth Story
This blog hasn't received any new posts from me in quite some time --this year has been a difficult one for me, but I'll post more about that later.
What better reason to break my silence than I shot my first birth story! I've been wanting to get into birth photography for awhile now, but with shooting weddings and having my own babies I just never got the chance to get started. Finally, I offered it to one of my favorite couples and since we've done engagement photos, as well as wedding AND maternity!
(Don't worry, I'll be updating you on his cuteness via a newborn session in the next week or so too!)
Being present while someone gives birth is such an honor. What an amazing feat to witness -- especially now that I've done it twice myself! Honestly, I think that if I weren't into photography there are some high chances that I would train as a doula (someone who assists mothers during birth.) Maybe I still can someday, if this becomes a "thing" for me. Which I really hope it does. What amazing moments to capture. It's like capturing wedding emotions on steroids. They cried. I cried. We all cried.
The way Will would look at Erica, you could see how worried and concerned he was -- as well as how helpless he felt. Will's mother was pacing around, hiding in corners, making phone calls, looking like the epitome of anxiety. Finally, we called in Aunt Lisa. The moment she arrived, Erica released a bundle of emotions. She had been so strong and absolutely silent since I had first arrived, because her epidural was not working. Aunt Lisa's mere presence seemed to trigger all that she needed to feel safe enough to crumble. Like a child, she fell into her arms and cried. It was almost like when I watch my sons fall and scrape a knee. They stand up, holding it all inside. Looking around silently with no emotion. Then we lock eyes and BOOM. They instantly fall apart, knowing that their "person" is there to catch all of those feelings. They can finally be vulnerable.
She had forgotten to call me when she went into labor -- so it was perfect timing that I text her the link to her maternity photos! She replied that she was at the hospital, 3cm dilated, and had just gotten her epidural. (Insert PANIC here.) Luckily I had nothing planned that day other than editing, so I was able to scoot right up to the hospital with no problems thanks to an ultra-supportive husband who will man the ship at the drop of a hat!!!
(I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story, since a picture speaks a thousand words.)
Welcome to the world, Shea Jennings Hazard -- You're mama has been waiting to meet you since she was 12 years old
Date of arrival: 11/11/16 7:06pm 7lbs 13oz 20.5in
