Water birth at home | Surprise Gender
Birth is always a certain sort of special surprise but this one was even more special as the family was waiting until baby arrived to find out if they were having a new baby brother or another baby sister. This birth was so peaceful as this momma quietly breathed her baby into the world and lifted him up. The sweet biggest sister was there to witness it all and the newly promoted big sister woke up shortly after he we and momma transferred to the bed. Whats even more spectacular is that morning I met with the family to do some maternity photos!
Sunrise maternity session at the beach
We met early in the morning at one of their local beaches for some maternity photos. These kids were in rather spunky spirits considering the early wake up and literally dove into the adventure of the morning.
We adventured along the beach, played and dug in the sand, frolicked in the water fully clothed. All the wonderfully amazing semblances of childhood, celebrating this family while it was still a four pack. Little did we know I’d be seeing them again after sunset to welcome their newest sibling into the world.
I got a text just before 11pm that this momma felt like tonight was the night. She let me know she was going to try to rest but third babies are wild cards and I made sure to have my bags and all of my essentials packed and sitting at the stairs so I could put on shoes and head straight out when needed. Sure enough just over an hour later I got the call that things were picking up quicker and 30 minutes after that I was walking into their home.
This mom labored so peacefully and quietly in her space. In these moments, you can see her surrendering to the waves and contractions to bring her baby forth. She had the support of her midwife team ( Chesapeake Midwifery ), her husband by her side the whole time and her oldest daughter and friend patiently waiting.
About 30 minutes after that first photo I took, mom was reaching down to feel her baby crown. Even as a seasoned birth photographer and a ‘quieter’ birthing mother myself, I remember doing a double take when I realized this was THE moment because mom was so in the zone.
After a pause and a few breaths, baby came out and mom was able to guide them up and out of the water and directly on her chest.
Mom was able to take in all the sweetnest of the lovely vernix covered baby….BOY! After a bit, mom decided she was ready to get out of the pool and was ready to dry off and get settled in bed while waiting for the placenta to come.
The newly promoted big sister woke up and entered the room to find the newest family member. Everyone was so smitten with this sweet boy and his cuteness. The biggest sister had a hard time controlling her patience and made several announcements about how ready she was to hold him. Even their sweet old dog joined in and seemed to know they were one more pup bigger.
Then it was time for the umbilical cord cut, which big sister did so wonderfully, and the newborn checkup. I absolutely adore how informative these are in the home birth environment and how much of a family centered event it is. I love watching the midwives share their knowledge and it was even cooler seeing this nurse momma interacting from both the mom and medical professional brains.
And with that, the moment big sister had been waiting all night for…she finally got to hold her little brother. Before the birth team left, I got a final photo of everyone together. It is always such an honor to be able to forever freeze these moments and work alongside such incredibly compassionate and knowledgeable home birth midwives.
And the absolutely incredible icing on the cake on this birth for me…this family also added on film!!!! Check out this stunning maternity to birth story below!
Birth Story | Home birth in the water
