The Blythe / Miller Birth | Evanston Hospital Birth Session | Chicago Family Photographer

This birth session was GIFTED to Sarah, which I only recommend if you know for absolute sure that this is something that your friend or relative wants! Birth photography isn’t for everyone, although I think it should be, if you ask me! I’ve been non stop talking about births for the past few months, and that’s because I’ve had quite a few of them lately, and they truly are my favorite. I get to tell an actual, real story, and that’s what I originally loved about photography. To those curious about why you would want a photographer in the delivery room or wherever you choose to give birth, let me remind you that you probably hired a photographer for your wedding, right? The best day of your life? Why would you not want to capture and remember the day your child has been born?! Each family that hires me is different. Not everyone wants the technical, literal images of baby coming out, it’s also not always allowed per hospital policy. *eye roll* I personally love photos of the actual delivery, but not everyone does, and that’s okay! Some parents just want me to capture them seeing their baby for the first time, and the moments that follow. While I still capture everything, unless asked not to, everyone’s priorities are different.

Sarah wanted everything! (Disclosure: there are no graphic images in this blog post.) On November 22nd, she went in for a regularly scheduled appointment, and had high blood pressure, so she was going to be induced that day. Any time a mom gets induced I use to think the baby was about to come out real quick, but I’ve learned that is not at all how it happens. She was admitted to the hospital, put on magnesium, almost had an emergency c-section, all before I even arrived. I am in constant contact with my birth clients about dilation, effacement, etc. After the emergency c-section scare, and her being only 3cm, around 1am, Jason called me from her phone and asked if I could come to the hospital. I of course said yes, as I was just waiting for that call, and headed over! Nothing really happened all night, she stayed at 3cm until around 8am when she jumped to a 9.5. She started pushing around 8:30am I think, and she had her baby at 10:52am. I have now made it my personal mission to make sure all men know about cone heads. Once you see poor Jason’s reactions below, you’ll understand why. He’s since admitted we can laugh about it now, but at the time, not so much. Due to the magnesium, baby girl wasn’t breathing 100% on her own right away, so she needed to be put on oxygen. She was crying, but it wasn’t screaming. Sarah had her mom, Jason, and I in the room during the delivery, and I’ll never forget her mom saying, “I want her to scream.” I think the fact that she was making sounds at all made me not concerned, I knew the nurses were going to take care of her and she’d be okay, but as a grandmother, father, and mother of the child, I truly can’t imagine the fear they must have felt. Sarah only got to hold her for probably less than a minute before they took her to the NICU, and they didn’t get her back again until 1am. That being said, that was a pretty short time to need to be in the NICU in the grand scheme of things, and she is perfectly healthy. I felt so hard for Sarah that she didn’t get to be with her baby right away, but she truly took it like a champ. During all of the time they had her baby on oxygen, she remained so calm and didn’t show a single sign of worry. Not to say that she wasn’t worried, but she was being insanely strong. I am in awe of all mothers, but especially the ones who allow me into their live for precious, vulnerable, and unknown moments like this. Since I barely got any baby shots after the birth, I came back to the hospital 2 days later to do a Fresh 48 session for Sarah and Jason. I’ve added those to this blog post as well!

I hope you enjoy all of the emotions I captured from this birth, especially the Dad’s. I love this family, and hope to continue watching their baby girl grow!