Sunday, June 24, 2012

A Dream For Baby's Labor & Birth

One thing that I never thought of at the time of Braden's birth, which now I wish I had thought of, was to have a photographer in with us (preferably a close family member or friend), to take pictures of our experience. Beautiful, candid, black & white pictures to remember the experience forever. Being a very active member of the blogging community, I literally have tears in my eyes with every single birth story that I read, but especially the ones that capture those moments on "film".

Here's some examples of photos and stories I have fallen in love with:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 [Source: Our Journey Blog]

Aren't they just beautiful? I figured I better mention this idea to my husband before he discovered it for the first time on the blog, and he said, "don't you remember how you felt last time, are you sure you want a person there taking pictures?" He does bring up a very good point, a point that I've obviously thought through. I wouldn't want a photographer there for every second of my labor capturing every contraction, I do want that time to be for me to "suffer" in privately with Jay...but I do want some pictures of labor, the details of the room and hospital. BUT, when it comes to "go" time, I know our photographer friend will respect my wishes and hopefully not judge me for how I act, if it's the same as with Braden. With Braden's birth, I wanted QUIET. I honestly didn't care if the room was packed with people, but no one was allowed to talk to me except for my Dr. and then the RN to coach me as I was pushing. I really needed to focus on my breathing and did not want to be coached at all in between! Of course Braden was born pretty much at shift change, so when the new nurses came in, the new LPN was trying to "cheerlead coach" me...yeah not.so.much my style especially in transition. I politely swore at her (yes, there is such a thing) and she stopped.

Anywho, I was tweeting wtih Amanda the other day about how she was up at 5AM shooting a labor/birth and how I wished I could have someone do that for me. She said her mom just used her camera to photograph the birth of her 2nd beautiful boy, but my mom is way too far to do that, and I'm not sure she'd even want to! So I was tihnking...who? Who do I know who's good at photography, close enough, and someone I'd want to share this very personal moment with? Then my friend Sam immediately popped into my head. She lives closer to the hospital than we do, she's a wonderful friend & person and was absolutely honored when I emailed her to put this idea in her head. She said she would absolutely do it no matter what time or how long I wanted her to be there. She's about 1/2 hour drive to the city where I deliver, so I'm thinking I'd call her on our way to give her a heads up, but probably not have her come until *hopefully* closer to the actual birth. There's just so many variables involved in labor & delivery, I wouldn't want her to hang around forever if this labor ends up being a long one, but I also wouldn't want her to miss everything if it goes as fast as I think it might. Braden's labor & birth were only 6 hours long! I guess we'll see come hopefully November!

And also, just to be clear...no pictures of the actual baby being born! Just candid, discreet pictures inspired by the ones above! I'll see more how I feel about this the closer we get to Squishy's birth, but I'm really really happy to have the option and a friend who's willing at any hour of the day/night to come in and be a part of this experience with us. Thanks, Sam!

Did you have anyone photograph your baby's labors & births? If so link back, I'd love to see!
Sarah

11 comments:

  1. As soon as I started reading this, Sam popped into my head too! How perfect I know she'd be thrilled. I'm not the best photographer, but if for some reason she can't be there or whatever I'd be happy to do it too. Depending on a lot of variables lol.

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    1. Oh believe me, if you didn't have a 3ish month old by the time I'm giving birth...I would ask you 100%! I just figured considering the circumstances...you'd most likely not be able to come! :)

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  2. I regret not having more photos taken when I was in labor with Colin. We were at the hospital a LONG time, and we didn't even think to bring the camera into the OR when my doctor decided on a c-section. Next time, we will bring a point and shoot so hubby can take some candid shots during the big event.

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    1. It's good to think about these things for #2! There's already a few things on my list that I want to and will do differently.

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  3. I wanted that same thing but didn't think any of my friends would be comfortable with doing that for me (and my family lives 15 hours away so that wasn't an option). So I gave my camera to my husband and told him when to take pictures. He's creative enough and good with my camera so he did a great job. I wanted those "just after birth" pictures and he totally did an excellent job. But so glad you have a friend who would be willing to do this for you! I agree with you, those pictures are so special!

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    1. This friend is a very good photographer and I think there has to be that professionalism there, I wouldn't ask even my best friend just to take pictures, someone who really knows the camera, I think that's the difference. I don't think my hubby would stay on his feet if I made him take those pics, plus I want his reqction captured too. But I'm so glad that you got pics! Did you blog them?

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  4. Oh how I wish I had some too. My delivery day was just nutso & we totally forgot, yes FORGOT (I still can't believe it) to even bring a camera into the delivery room! I will regret that forever!

    So for my sister & took hundreds. I literally have a picture squeezed between the gown of the MD & the c-section curtain of the moment Analeigh's head. Its kinda fuzzy so you can't really even "see" much, but you know thats what it is. And I think its freekin' awesome.

    I have some from my 5 days of bedrest. The room. A few RNs. Monitors. My maged out self. But none of the delivery. So I would totally have someone do it if you have the chance. I've thought about it too if we have another, except for I feel like I would feel guilty that I had those moments in photos with one kid & not the others.

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    1. *The moment Analeigh's head came out (via c-section)

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    2. That's one thing I've thought of too...would but I doubt Braden will get upset with me in the future for having pictures of his baby brother/sister's birth and not his. I'm not having professional maternity pictures this time...so he can just hold onto that if it's really going to bother him. I brought our camera to Braden's birth, but didn't even think to have Jay take "one last belly pic" or pics during. Don't know why!

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  5. I wish I would have taken "one last belly pic" also. Early on, I took regular profile pics, but then towards the end I just stopped. No real reason other than I thought for sure she would come several weeks early (family tendency) but instead she was ten days late. Go figure!

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    1. I guess I didn't really want it at the time...but looking back I should have just DONE it!

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