Belfast Maine Birth Photography
Belfast Maine Birth Photography
I had the honor to be part of the birth story of River.
Belfast Maine Birth Photography as told by photographer, Bree. The first time I met Charlotte was at her final appointment with her midwife Dani, so I could meet her before she was actually in labor! I was also honored to meet Brody, her husband, Lilly her daughter, and Tuki, their fur baby! I watched Dani do her assessment and final labs before the big day. I absolutely loved it when I arrived at their village and saw people walking with goats, and every little house was right next to each other with cars staying up in a large parking lot away from the homes. I was amazed by the eco-friendly neighborhood and fell in love instantly. Everything was run off solar panels and the whole vibe was out of a history book it felt. Simple buildings and little picket fences lined each yard. I loved watching Lily being a little mini midwife as Dani assessed Charlotte’s vitals and measurements. I was so excited to document a birth in this space with these beautiful people soon.
2 weeks went by until I got the call from Charlotte, baby time! It was around 2 AM and I grabbed everything and ran out the door. I drove through the early morning hours and arrived shortly after Dani had gotten there. Everyone was filling the tub with water and preparing to welcome baby River at any moment. As I assessed the room, I watched and waited for tell-tale signs that delivery was near, but it was clear to me after a bit, we still had some time on our hands. I took several breaks and went for walks, explored the village, went for a drive to get coffee, shopping, and a mini nap in the community building too. Charlotte was still quiet and mobile. We walked the fields out behind the village and Tuki pulled a sled. At one point Charlotte got into the sled and went for a short, rough ride in hopes to get things moving. Things picked up that evening, and Charlotte got into the birth tub for some water pain relief. She had several waves where it sounded like she was ready to push. She got out of the tub though and tried the shower. She was still straining. Her body was ready to push, but something was preventing it from happening. As the midwives stood by they continuously monitored the baby’s heart tones. They remained strong for the entire labor until the last bit. The midwives began to read a low heart rate, too low for safe home delivery at this point. So they called for the ambulance, and Charlotte was transferred to the hospital right away. I knew this meant I could no longer be part of her birth story. I felt like I read an entire series of books only to have the last chapter ripped out. I watched as her birth team supported her onto the gurney and whisked her out the door. I stood there in silence. This is the hard part of birth and birth work. And Covid makes it even worse for this part. I could not follow them or stay with them to finish this story. But more importantly, I just wanted Charlotte and River to be safe and okay. I was hopeful she could still have a vaginal drug-free delivery as she wanted. I was hopeful River was going to be okay too. I went home and when I got into bed it was 2 AM. It had been 24 hours since I first got the call. This was not the ending we expected but it is a very much possible and real outcome that we birth workers must be prepared for. As my head hit the pillow, my phone vibrated. I picked up my phone and watched a video sent to me, River crying on Charlotte’s chest. All was well and he was here. I felt complete. I was so relieved they were okay. I could sleep restfully.
A week went by and I finally met River. He is perfect! I grabbed lots of shots of Lily as she gazed at her perfect little baby doll brother. I photographed Brody with his son, bath time and family time as well. I am happy to report that Charlotte and River are doing great and all is well! Charlotte shared with me and gave me permission to share here as well, that the reason she was transferred and the reason River’s heart tones were dropping was that his cord was so tight around his neck, preventing him from being able to come through the birth canal. Doctors had to go inside and cut his cord in order to release him and allow his body to be pushed out.
To read more birth stories, Click here.
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