Concord, New Hampshire Birth Photography

This blog is about the birth of Moxie. Brooklyn and Concord New Hampshire Birth photography. She had told me she knew she wanted me to document her next birth about 2 years ago when she discovered photos from a birth I had photographed. We became friends and even did family photos last year. When Brooklyn told me she was pregnant and wanted me to photograph the birth, I was so excited! We stayed in touch over the pregnancy and I was so eager to photograph her birth story. In the final weeks of the pregnancy, I would joke around and ask Brooklyn if I could just come over already, and she would respond yeah right, you’d be here for days! How funny that was because as the story goes, I certainly did end up spending 7 days with Brooklyn.

I got a call Saturday, December 28th at 1 AM that she was having hard frequent contractions, and that this was it without a doubt. See we made a deal that I would be the first to be contacted since I lived furthest away from the rest of the birth team members. So I made my way 3 hours away and arrived as the sun rose expecting to be rushing into a birthing room with midwives and the tub set up. Nope, quite the contrary, they had fallen asleep and labor had stopped. At this point, she was 41 weeks along, so I knew we were rather close so I decided to stay and nap on the couch. A day went by, I kept myself occupied, I explored the local town and stayed busy passing the time. The next day I went to the birth center where she had her last midwife check. At this appointment, they discussed an induction as she approached 42 weeks. More days went by and still no labor activity. After 5 days of waiting, I needed fresh clothes and I missed home so badly. I started to believe Brooklyn would be induced that weekend so I took a chance and decided I would leave to head north 3 hours so I could refresh my mind and clothes. I felt so bad leaving but with no labor activity and my professional mindset slowly slipping away, I had to do what I had to do for myself at that point. I made it home and got to reset. I stayed in touch with Brooklyn and was ready to head back as soon as she told me to. I tested fate and stayed home for the night and decided to leave the next morning regardless since I lived so far away. I waited and I really wish I hadn’t now because the next night Justin called and said she was in serious labor and to hit the road! I rushed as fast as I safely could and made it with just 15 minutes to spare! So much of this life involves rushing and hoping babies wait for me to get there so I don’t miss the birth. As I arrived in the birth room, Brooklyn was already in the tub in her bedroom and she was in very advanced stages of labor with contractions only a minute apart. As soon as I walked into the room, I told Brooklyn, “You can have your baby now.”

Everyone was there that was supposed to be! I was so excited I made it in time before the baby arrived! Her sons took turns taking photos of the labor as well and it made my photographer heart so happy! Brooklyn transitioned and began to feel her baby move down. Everyone was so excited and the mood in the room was that of love, excitement, and relief that Brooklyn was going to be able to have the home birth she so badly wanted! Also, they kept the gender of the baby a surprise as well! Before we knew it, the midwife confirmed their head was out! Next, Justin helped catch his baby and bring them to Brooklyn’s chest. Brooklyn couldn’t believe it. She was starting to think there was no baby coming. She was in shock and she was so relieved to have her baby finally. The faces of her sons and everyone in the room were pure bliss and joy. Then she got to find out, she gave birth to a daughter, a little sister, and a baby girl! Brooklyn told everyone her name, Moxie!

After a few minutes, she delivered her placenta and had it placed in a bowl. Everyone was so happy that they got to have the delivery they all had hoped for. Brooklyn got out of the tub and made her way to the bed. Justin held Moxie while her friend Lindsey held her placenta bowl nearby. Moxie was then placed back on Brooklyn’s chest where she began to breastfeed for the first time. We all loved seeing so much vernix on the baby, especially being 42 weeks! We took photos of Moxie on Brooklyn and her placenta placed on her as well. It amazes me the fact that a body can create all of this inside. Moxie’s big brothers, Leo and Cooper got to cut the cord and they loved watching Kate, the midwife, exam their brand-new baby sister. They were so fascinated by the entire process, it was so sweet to see them mesmerized by it all. They all got to do skin-to-skin as well!

The next morning, Justin’s daughter arrived and got to meet her baby sister. All the siblings got to sit together and admire their brand-new baby sibling! The laughter and joy were so sweet and beautiful. After that, I photographed Moxie some more and finished up the birth story. It was such an honor to witness and document this time in their lives, and I am so thankful that I got to be part of the story!

Videographer: White Wave Photography

Midwives: Concord Birth Center

For more birth stories: Click here