Recently I had the privilege of photographing a water birth, not only was it my first birth, but it was the most amazing event I have ever captured. I’m sure not many moms think to have this moment captured, it is a sensitive and scary time to have a photographer in your face clicking away. Being able to take photos of that babies first breaths as she got taken up out of the water was a moment the mother will have with her forever to look back on, as anyone who is a mom knows that these precious babies grow soooo fast.
In all honesty when this mama contacted me a lot of things went through my mind. I have never been on the other side of the bed/tub, I’ve always been the one on the bed having the baby. I wasn’t sure what to expect, will I pass out, will I get nauseous, will the baby come out healthy, will I get the right shot? I agreed to the session as I didn’t know if I would ever have this opportunity again. I showed up at the hospital, the lights were all down low….nurses scurrying about. It was calm and peaceful and I felt at ease and ready to do my job. Mom was already in the tub and in early stages of labor. As she was breathing through contractions with the help of her doula, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “This women is a super hero” there is no way I could ever have delivered my four babies without an epidural.
As time went by she was ready to push, seeing the baby crowning was so mind blowing, that with every push I could see the little head coming out further. Once the baby was out and pulled from the water, I couldn’t help but tear up as she was put onto mamas chest and was getting cleaned off. Such a tender moment that took me back to the births of all of my babies. Holding and seeing your baby that you’ve waited so long to see.
This experience was something I would love to do again. I will always cherish that time, being able to see life brought into the world.