Erin contacted me last July (shortly after she learned she was expecting) that she was looking to capture her new baby’s birth; she said my photos were breath-taking and would love to hire me. I was so honored as I had only just begun photographing births. We had an initial consultation to talk about the birth and how her previous labour went, as this baby was #4 for this family. I discovered that her third child come so quick, that the Midwife didn’t make it to the birth and her hubby Kevin had to assist to bring the baby to earth-side.  This baby was planned to be a home-birth, with the help of a birthing tub.

So, when March 14th rolled around, and I received a text from Kevin that she was already in labour and that her water had broken at midnight, I was in panic mode! Interestingly, her due date was on the 13th, and I was dreaming that I received the call and that I got there before the Midwife… and suddenly my husband woke me up and let me know that I needed to telephone them back right away, because they called to let me know it’s time.  Now that’s what I call intuition… It was a bit surreal. Very quickly, I got myself ready to head over to witness the birth. It was a very blizzardy night, and thank goodness I like winter driving, as there was a lot of snow on the roads! I was worried, not because of the road conditions, but because of Erin’s history I was skeptical that I’d be there on time for the birth. It took me 30 minutes to get to the north-end house from our west-end home.

Erin was already in the tub and was riding through her contractions.  We chatted a bit, and a few minutes later, her midwife Noreen arrived with her team from Passage Midwifery. We were all set!  Now, where is the baby, I asked myself, as Erin was already in labour for a few hours; way longer then with her third delivery…  Slowly her older girls woke up, first the youngest, then the middle child and the oldest girl last. I just loved how they all came in to the room to greet Mommy and check out what is happening. A few hugs, kisses, reassuring laboring mom, and then climbing up in front of the TV to watch Strawberry Shortcake; not too far from Mom just in case she needed them! When the time came around for Erin to start pushing, all the girls were there, right beside Dad. Him being a pro at this, Noreen let him do the honor of bringing another beautiful child of his into this word. I love looking back at those photos and seeing the reaction on the girls’ faces when new baby arrived. Erin did so well, controlled and calm. Shortly after 8am, girl #4 had emerged from the water, happy and healthy as it could be. I love photographing new babies, and Tevya was a great subject.  In the waters of the birthing tub, the sweet little newborn was taking a bath with mommy; dad and the girls were right beside them, marveling at this new creature!



I was so honoured to be there, and witness this miracle!  Thank you again Erin and Kevin for allowing me to be there, it was a memory for a lifetime.

The fact that strangers let me into their life to photograph one of these most intimate of moments, is still mind-boggling to me, but in the end I came to almost feel like a family member, someone that has known these people for all my life.

If you are or you know of anyone that is expecting and want to have a photographer present at the birth, please contact me, I would love to be there. You can also check out my Facebook page and the prices here.

xoxo,

Helga