As some of you may know, I’m in love with birth photography and the process of birth. After going through it twice now, I’m just in awe of this, as a beautiful miracle. Every birth is different and every story is different, but the birth of Lillian was definitely a different birth experience for  me. She is my niece.

I was so happy to be pregnant the same time as my sister, together in the same country for once. We went to aqua class together, I accompanied her to the doctors appointment and the first time she saw this little baby (on the ultrasound and in person) I was there. Little Lillian was – and is – a very stubborn baby and she decided to stay in as long as she could. So by day 10, after trying all kinds of things, from acupuncture to spicy food, my sister had to be induced. That cold morning of January 25th, I walked her over to the hospital which is just a few minutes from our house. We signed in and the exciting day begin. By 10am they started her on Oxytocin and her constractions began. They weren’t too strong so I decided to go  home, and feed my kids before it was too late in the day. Her hubby joined her at the hospital and I followed him around 1pm. We waited and chatted around, not knowing how long this birth will take. Her water broke shortly after I arrived and she was only 4cm dilated, then it started to pick up and half an hour later she felt the baby was coming. I quickly called the nurse to check her and to our surprise she was already 7cm!  

The nurse went to call the doctor and by the time she got to the nurse desk, my sister needed to push. I couldn’t believe it, but told the nurse to come back right now. A few of them flooded the room along with two residents, and behold, my sister was fully dilated. In just two minutes! The doctor didn’t make it back from the clinic so the residents delivered the baby at 2:26pm. That was a very quick and frantic birth as I recall, but sweet Lillian was a very healthy and loud little girl.

As a photographer, I like to take a lots of photos, but this time it was different. I had to be there as her sister first and foremost, as a translator so everything goes smoothly and the photographer last. Also, I know how much my brother-in-law hates having his picture taken, so I tried to take as few as possible. During the last few minutes of the birth, I was very excited, nervous and worried for my sister. I remember that I was shaking and crying when the baby come out. I did missed a few key moments, like while they measured the baby and such, but I had to be there for my sister as they worked long and hard on her afterward. I saw her in such pain and confusion that I needed to hold her hand and be there, and I would not change that for any photos. This slideshow of Lillian’s birth is still special even if it’s not that detailed; we will all cherish it all the days of our lives.