Mabel | Birth Story in Denver Colorado

One thing you learn about birth photography is births are 100% unpredictable.  I often get asked the question- "What happens if you miss my birth?" Well there isn't a one size fits all answer here. The most common answer I give is,  I will get there as fast as humanly possible and start documenting right when I walk in the door.  There is so much more to your baby's birth story than their actual birth and there are so many moments right after the baby is born that often get overlooked. I have never missed a birth because of reasons I could control, I have missed 2 births total and both times those babies didn't want to wait for anyone, let alone their photographer to show up. 

Mabel was born 5 minutes before I walked in the room and just minutes after her parents arrived at Baby & Co, she really didn't want to wait for anyone.  I normally write out my version of a baby's birth story but Kathryn has already written hers out, you can read it here.  

By the time I arrived, mom had already moved from her birthing tub and to the bed. Their midwife was going a quick check up on mabel and reminding mama to eat and replenish fluids. 

Dad also surprised Mom with a beautiful ring as her "push present"  she now has a series of beautiful unique bands signifying her family. 

A few hours after birth Mabel was born, Mom had her CranioSacral Therapist show up to do some gentle adjustments on her and Mabel. 

One thing I absolutely love about working with midwives is they usually do the baby's first check up on the foot of the bed or right next to mom and dad.  I love this approach because you can see how calm everyone is.

Mom was off taking a bath and relaxing in the tub, so Dad got some special 1 on 1 time with sweet mabel.  Skin to skin with dad benefits both Dad and baby!

After the sun came up, sweet big sister came to meet her new baby.  To say she was smitten with her would definitely be an understatement.

You can watch Mabel's birth story - including footage from before I arrived below!

Birth of Benjamin in Aurora Colorado

Back in May I had my first Colorado birth.  It was a cold rainy day and I was so glad I still had my big jacket still in my van.  This birth story is for some new friends I made right when we moved here, it had been months since I was able to document a birth story and it was so wonderful be allowed into her birthing space.  

Mama had such a beautiful birth at University of Colorado Hospital with the midwives from the Center for Midwifery.  It was such a dream working with this birth team.  They were so patient and compassionate with this family.  This was probably the most beautiful hospital birth I had ever attended.  

I am so excited to be booking births in the Denver Metro Area for the remainder of 2016 and the beginning of 2017.

Theo B. | Birth in Tucson Arizona

I am honored to finally share the birth of Theodore B.  His birth story is actually one of my favorites because literally the day before he was born, his mama and I were joking around about me being able to attend.  Cierra never officially 'booked' me for her birth, it was more of a "if I can be there, I'll be there"  type situation.  Well Cierra messaged me the NEXT day saying she was heading to the birth center because she wasn't sure if she was in true labor or not.  I was on standby and I got a text not even 2 hours later saying to head on down.  Little did we all know.. Theo would be born shortly after the text.  I arrived right as he was crowning and was able to spend a few hours with them documenting his first few hours earth side. 

I am booking a small amount of births this year here in Denver and I have a few spots still available.  If you're interested in booking your birth story please email me. 

The Birth of Jacob Allen

I have known Jessie and Jon for several years.  I have documented a lot of major milestones in their adult life together.  I was so honored and excited when Jessie asked me to be in the room to photograph the birth of their son Jacob.  Their birth was a wonderful reminder how it's so important to have someone at your birth that can be your advocate.  Someone that is familiar with your birth plan and your wishes, someone that can be your voice while you are in labor.  Although Jessie didn't have her picture perfect labor, she did get the beautiful unmedicated water birth that she so badly wanted.  

Ireland Jean | Birth Story in Tucson Arizona

You might remember my GORGEOUS Maternity session from a few weeks ago.. Well Ireland decided to make her debut in the weeeee hours of August 11th, weighing a perfect 7lbs 2oz.  Mom had a pretty intense labor but worked through each and every contraction with the help of her amazing husband and wonderful Doula.  Ashlee worked so hard during her labor, probably walked a mile back and forth at the birth center.  She moved into and out of the birth tub before settling into the bed.  Lynn her doula (https://www.facebook.com/loveandlabor) was with her every second.  When Ashlee was doubting she could do it, Lynn was there to give her positive affirmations, rub her back and hold her when she needed it.  In the end Ashlee had the birth she imagined and had an amazingly supportive birth team,  I can't wait to share her entire birth story with the world!  For now enjoy this preview.  <3

Ireland Jean | Maternity in Tucson Arizona

I am so excited for the birth of Ireland!  She is expected to bless us with her arrival any time now and I am just waiting for the call!  This session almost didn't happen.  Right now in Tucson it's Monsoon.  Many afternoons we experience lots of rain and wind.  Well the evening of our session we decided to chance it and I am so glad that we did.  When we were walking out the door the rain clouds opened and it down poured on us until literally 5 minutes away from our shooting location.  I was so excited that we got in front of the storm and we wasted no time and got to shooting.  The rain held off for our entire session but on the way home the sky cleared and gave us a gorgeous sunset so of course we had to pull over into the first open field I could find!  It was a pretty adventurous shoot!

Calista [Birth]

I have so much to say about this beautiful birth.  I'm not even sure I will be able to articulate it here.  Jovanna invited me to her birth a few months before her due date, the first time we met I noticed how quiet and composed she was even when she was obviously uncomfortable during the last trimester of her pregnancy.  The day she went into labor she was messaging me just like most of my clients do and I had plenty of time to prepare for the long night ahead.  At 9:00pm we arrived at the Birth Center and I instantly thought to myself that this was going to be a long labor and I should have waited until the midwife checked her to see where her cervix was before I headed out.  I have had a history of my births happening very quickly so at this point I would rather show up and go home instead of missing it all together because I chose to wait. 

Jovanna was so quiet during labor I thought to myself there was NO WAY she was in active labor.  She was literally silent and focused with an occasional small moan.  Between her contractions the room was filled with smiles and laughter.  Jovanna entered her birthing tub a little after 10:00pm.

At about 11:20 things started picking up and Jovanna said she was wanting to push a little, after a series of small pushes to relieve pressure her water broke. Two contractions later Calista was welcomed Earthside to a room filled with so much love.  She was silent and focused just like her mama.  She didn't cry once the entire night, not even when she got a vitamin K shot.  

Calista's three older siblings came to meet her when she was about 20 minutes old and they were all smitten the minute they met her.  

This birth holds a very special place in my heart because this is the same room our sweet Aria was born in.  In that same exact tub with the same exact nurse and Jovanna and I had very similar labors (except I was definitely not as quiet as she was.)

Weston [Birth]

I was so honored when Olivia asked me to be part of her birth.  When she hired me she warned me that she has fast labors and man she wasn't kidding.  I wish I had this long beautiful birth story to put with this blog post but the actually story goes something like this.  Olivia called me at 2:00pm and told me she was heading to the Birth Center, her contractions were getting stronger and she wanted to be there with time to spare before she delivered her new baby.  She arrived at the Birth Center less than 5 minutes before I did and I arrived at 2:34pm.  They had already begun filling her birthing tub so it was 3/4 of the way full when we got there.  Fran was her midwife and she had Olivia lay down so she could check her cervix she was at an 8!!  Olivia promptly entered her birth tub, she extremely focused and spent some time talking to Weston, she told him it was time and that she was so excited to meet him. Lynn, Olivia's doula was such an amazing support person for her.  20 minutes after arriving at the Birth Center, Weston made his way earth side.  He was born at 2:54pm.  I spent the next few hours with them, and watching mom and dad bond with their new son.  It was such an amazing experience and I was so honored that I got to be part of it.