Emilia’s birth was my very first to photograph. So, as it was very exciting, it was also a huge learning experience.
At 10:30pm on Saturday April 2nd Christy texted me to say she was having pretty painful contractions and they were headed into the birth center to get checked. After waiting for a couple hours I headed out at 1am in the morning. She was contracting really well and also trying to rest. So I slept out in the waiting room until she was ready for me. At around 4:30am her doula came out to get me. When I came in she was getting an antibiotic and rocking through her labor. She did so great working through each contraction and was so calm in between each one, sometimes telling stories about her boys and laughing.
Not long after receiving her antibiotic her labor picked up, and we could all tell the contraction were getting more intense and closer together. She worked through them, even eating a Chonga bagel her husband had brought her from Starbucks.
She quickly moved to the tub to work through her labor. Things were moving quickly. But she was so amazing and pushed through.
The time from when I walked in to when Emilia arrived was less than 3 hours. Having two long labors myself I was blown away by the speed and intesity. But then…she was there, lying on her mama’s chest. And that intensity just disappeared and Christy and Jonathan had their baby girl.
Thank you so much Christy and Jonathan for allowing me to be a part of your experience. You were amazing. And to the midwives and doula, Brittany, you ladies were also amazing to watch. Your support and encouragment was beautiful.
