{Fresh} Birth Photography – Houston, TX Childbirth Photographer

On July 5 I had the privilege of photographing my back-up birth photographer and dear friend, Rachael, as she gave birth to her third baby, sweet Abby.

Rachael had big plans for this birth and really wanted to avoid an epidural. She came armed with lots of previous experience, tons of knowledge, a doula and a doctor she adored. But baby Abby was comfy right where she was. As much as she wanted to avoid an induction, it became inevitable.

When I arrived in the early afternoon, Rachael was in good spirits. She was beautiful and full of smiles.I couldn’t believe it! Chad kept us all in stitches.

Even as they increased the Pitocin, she remained calm, cool and collected. I was so impressed. Wowed, really. So proud of her.

 

See this table of “stuff”? That’s what all Rachael and family brought to the hospital. It just cracked me up. You can tell how many children someone has had by the amount of luggage they bring to the hospital.

Rachael worked hard and labored away.

But never stopped smiling.

Things started to get noticeably more intense around 5:00.

 

But when she was checked at 5:30, she hadn’t made much progress. I know she was frustrated. I decided it was a good time to give her some space and let her rest. It seemed like it might be a long night.  Even though I wasn’t really hungry, I headed out to “dinner” in the parking lot with the promise that I’d be back in an hour.

But 45 minutes later I got a text from Chad saying that Rachael was at 7cm and ordering medication. I thought that seemed odd. Why was she already being checked not even an hour later? Hmm. I texted back to ask if she wanted more time to rest or should I head up? Not even a minute later I got four more texts basically saying “Run!”.

And I ran! Going from 6cm to 10cm in less than an hour is ROUGH! I got there right in time to photograph baby Abby entering the world just 10 minutes after receiving those texts. The epidural never happened, much to Rachael’s relief later!

Welcome to the world, baby Abby! Boy, you sure entered the world with a “ta da”!!

Is she not just the most gorgeous sweet thing?

 

Rachael’s biggest baby yet! 8lb 14oz, 20.5 inches.

Finally in Mama’s arms!

 

Sweet, sad little pout!

 

I’m pretty sure being stuck in bed at your own birth is a birth photographer’s idea of torture! It didn’t stop Rachael though!

Bath time!

Abby was so in love with her Daddy’s voice! She clearly recognized it and relaxed every time she heard it.

Doesn’t she look like a baby doll? She is so perfect.

 

Finally the big siblings arrived to meet their baby. It was such a precious moment. This is Big Brother’s “Her hands are freaking me out! Look! She’s actually breathing!” face! And that’s Big Sister’s “I want to hold my baby and take her home. Now.” face! They were both so amazed and proud to have a new baby sister.

And who can blame them? Just look at this girl!

Congrats Rachael, Chad and the whole family. I’m so proud of you, Rachael. You did it! It’s always such a special thing to photograph the birth of a photographer but it’s extra special when it’s someone who I also call a friend. I’m so proud of Rachael and Chad and so overjoyed to have been there to meet baby Abby.

Get comfy and settle in – this is going to be a picture-heavy post!

I first met Katie at Crave cupcakes in Houston where she schooled me on all the amazing downtown cupcake shops. Katie is single-handedly responsible for this cupcake habit I’ve acquiredThe next time we saw each other, for Katie’s market street maternity session, Landon was just about fully cooked but still breech!

I was so happy and a little surprised when Katie texted just a few days later to announce that Landon had flipped. Yay! I know his Mommy was so relieved.

Mark called around 7am to prep me to arrive at Children’s Memorial Hermann in Houston by 9:30 for their Birth Day. I headed out, made my way through traffic and hit accident after accident. I texted Katie to tell her I was hitting traffic and the reply I got was “ok” which made me wonder what I was missingSure enough, Katie had just been checked and she was at 6cm…things were happening fast and they didn’t want to freak me out. I’m pretty good at reading between the lines!

When I arrived, Katie’s epidural had just finally kicked in and she was resting comfortably. Katie’s Mom and Mark’s brothers arrived shortly and it was like a big ole party!

Did I mention that Katie was basically complete? Yeah, crazy. She rested as her super strong and efficient contractions overpowered her epidural. It was hard hard work.

I wouldn’t wish Pitocin contracts on anyone but Katie handled it soooo well. She was amazing at listening to her body and reasonably and rationally weighing the alternatives and options and knowing when it was time to just power through to the end.

And that’s exactly what she did! It was time to push in no time.

{I love Mark’s face in this photo. He was so deeply connected to Katie for every single push}

{best socks ever}

Katie was an incredibly efficient pusher. She was ready to meet baby Landon who made his appearance at 2:15pm!

There were tears all around!

I’m pretty sure all bets were off the the weight. Landon looked huge but no one expected him to be almost 8lbs!

The paparazzi came and adored the new star….

Mark finally got to hold Landon. My heart skips a beat whenever I see a new baby look knowingly into his Father’s eyes for the first time. Sniff.

{you aren’t seeing double. That’s Mark’s twin brother behind him!}

Eventually a very patient new Grandma (or GiGi or Nana or MeeMaw) got her turn…

I adore this photo from the depths of my soul. This is what a new family looks like!!

I have been waiting a long time for a baby with a full head of hairThanks Landon for spoiling me with your totally awesome mohawk!

Back with Mom at last. I love the look of knowing in his eye when he hears Katie’s voice.

Katie and Mark – you are such amazing parents already. Landon is perfect in every way and I’m so blessed to be part of your journey. I know the true journey is just starting for your little family and I know it will be wondrous!