Hello Sage

{birth story}

Even though birth, in general, is predictable, it's very unpredictable on an individual level. As a birth photographer I never know how long I will be when I head to a labouring mama. On average, I'm gone 14 hours. Sometimes 6, and sometimes 26! When I arrived at the birth of Sage it was 10pm. These two were calm yet eager yet patiently going through the motions as baby was slowly making her way down. Things were moving along nicely. This totally supported Mama laboured at home for a while before we made the move to the hospital. She wanted to make the transition before she got further along because as many mama's know, the car ride isn't so pleasant when you're in labour. It's very normal for things to slow down or even stall after a transfer, but she was deep in labour that things really didn't slow down too much. Things were going so well and she was embracing every contraction as they came. She was doing everything in her power to help baby down. But after the sun came up, exhaustion hit. Things slowed down. Rest is very helpful and can become quite vital at this point, and sometimes that's when epidural is recommended. After she was connected, she napped. Her partner napped. I napped. The midwives napped. We met back in the room a few hours later and found there wasn't much progress. But this mama was determined. She wasn't done. Her baby wasn't done. Her partner was the best supporter. So they sailed on. She laboured through a whole other day. Sometimes, you can do everything in your power and things just won't progress. Baby just gets stuck. And when heart rates start dropping, baby needs to come. So they made the very emotional decision to have a c-section before it turned in to an emergency. Their midwives stayed by their side and helped them with a gentle c-section so when Sage was born she was passed to her mama from under the surgical curtain! It was unbelievably emotional. My words don't really do this birth story justice. It was definitely a birth I will never forget. And I am so grateful to be sharing their story with you today. Just look at these images below and of course watch the birth documentary at the bottom of this post. You'll probably cry.

toronto birth photographer
midwives birth support
in labour
birth transition support
hospital transfer birth documentary
in labour parking lot birth
midwives support all birthing choices
walking the hospital halls
emotional storytelling black and white photography
waterbirths labouring in water
emotional birth documentary midsives support c-section
toronto birth photographer
c-section birth toronto
toronto birth documentary just born
baby's first exam
born via cesarean section
birthing day documented
wrinkly newborn feet
skin to skin with mom
baby's first latch breastfeeding
breastfeeding black and white birth story
toronto canadian birth photographers

***   now press play to watch this beautiful powerful birth story   ***

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Welcome Home Jasper

{birth story}

It was a blustery cold late-autumn night. But inside was cozy and warm. A baby was being born. It was my last birth of 2017. A beautiful home birth. Everything went perfect. It was their first baby. Being present for first babies is pretty miraculous. I love watching the parents because everything is a surprise. Every moment of this journey is a first for them. It's such a beautiful thing to witness and document. You can see for your self by scrolling down through these pictures to the bottom of this post where you can watch the whole birth story! I have documented 43 births (as of last night) and it will never get old, or dull, or boring. And I am so extremely humbled and grateful for all of you lovely families that have welcomed me in to the most memorable, surreal, amazing days of your lives. Know that your experiences have a huge impact in my life too. So thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am very much looking forward to 2018 when I already know I will be seeing some of you again. 

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***   now press play to watch this tearful birth story   ***

Thanks for stopping by!
More of Jasper here: Jasper's in-home newborn session.
To see more blog posts, head to the Blog Archives.

Contact me for more information about sessions and collections.