The miracle of birth will never be lost on me.
When Laura reached out looking for a birth photographer and videographer, I knew we would be an amazing fit. This mama was expecting her fourth baby. They wanted to be surprised by the gender of their baby. Her last delivery ended up in an emergency c-section and she was looking forward to a natural and peaceful VBAC. This is the story of the arrival of Greta.
Birth Film
There is something so powerful about documenting such raw and intense moments on film. This is the third birth video I've created. I focused heavily on capturing the emotions of the moment and cinematically documenting the birth of this beautiful baby. Laura trusted God, her body and her baby.
A Slow Start
Baby kept Laura and I on our toes for quite a while. Laura typically went into labor on her own between 39 and 40 weeks. As Laura's due date came and went, we were both starting to feel a little antsy as each day passed. She knew, with this being a VBAC, that her body might act differently during this labor. Finally, on a Friday night, I got a text that Laura and Steve were headed to the hospital! They live an hour out of town so I had a little time to get my stuff together and get ready to go. I arrived at the Essentia Birthing Center in Fargo, ND a bit after midnight. When I got there, Laura was peacefully listening to her birth affirmations and bouncing on a birth ball. She was already progressing really well and in her own calm mental space. The Essentia nurse and midwife team dimmed the lights, brought in some led candles and really set a mood for a peaceful and zen birthing experience.
Things picked up quickly, as a fourth labor can do.
It wasn't long before everything started to pick up. You could see that Laura was in her own birthing space and using her relaxation techniques. She was already an 8cm by 2am. The on-call OBGYN suggested to break the rest of Laura's water around that time. She was a bit worried because her previous birth had ended in an emergency c-section because of a cord prolapse. The OB assured her that he felt baby's head so she agreed. Things went really quickly from there. One of my favorite photos from the night was right during transition for Laura. She was breathing and leaning forward on the peanut ball, when she looked up, saw me, and gave me a huge smile. I don't remember being this calm when I was at 9 centimeters.
It was baby time before we knew it!
Laura progressed very quickly from there! It was time to push just minutes after her breaking water. She pushed on her hands and knees for a while but eventually moved to her back. At 2:21 in the morning, Laura peacefully delivered her healthy, beautiful, fourth baby! There was a brief moment they thought baby was a boy, but it turns out, it was their second daughter. It was such a joyful moment. Mom and dad were so thrilled and sweet baby Greta was born crying with a head of soft blonde hair.
There is nothing closer to heaven on this earth, than birth.
To say that I am beyond honored to witness the miracle of a soul being brought into this world, is an understatement. I'll forever be in awe of women. I will forever be in awe of birth.
