February 5, 2021

Birth Center Birth Photography Baton Rouge | Baby Leo

FILED IN: Birth, Birth Center

Birth Center Birth Photography | The birth story of Baby Leo!

I love this family’s journey so much! Amy and Brandon are some of the sweetest clients I’ve ever had, and I was so honored to be a part of their journey, which started out at Birth Center of Baton Rouge. One of my very favorite delivery locations!

These guys really demonstrated what kind of strength is required of birth, sometimes. The plans we make don’t always come to fruition, even when we do everything “right”! Amy and Brandon had planned on a natural, birth center birth. But, when labor didn’t progress as planned, they had to make the decision to transfer to nearby Woman’s Hospital.

Their birth team did absolutely EVERYTHING that they could to support them and assist them in trying various methods to help little Leo along. I joked to Amy that whatever happened, she was most certainly going to have photographic proof that she tried EVERY trick in the book! No one is ever going to be able to say that she didn’t give birth her all.

And man, can we just talk about what a powerhouse this mom was? Her little guy didn’t make his appearance until a full 55 HOURS after her water broke!

Someone give this chick a medal, already. That’s a LONG labor, and she still managed to make it look good!

And I just adored how wonderful dad Brandon was, throughout this whole process. He was as solid as a rock, willing to jump in and support Amy however she needed. And dude is definitely #partnergoals, with all of the sweet looks and hand-holding that I was able to photograph.

So many couples are eager to have their births photographed, in this pandemic. Largely because friends and family don’t get to experience it how they used to, given COVID restrictions. And that’s a great reason to have your birth photographed!

In my opinion, though, birth is a nuanced love story.

When you have it documented, it’s not just about the moment you fall in love with your baby. It’s also about being able to show that baby how much their parents loved one another, one day! Some day, little Leo is going to see at least some of these photos. And when he does, he’s going to see what an absolute BAD-ASS his mom was, powering through this birth. He’s going to see just how much his dad ADORED his mom. How proud he was of her, and how elated they both were to meet him.

I love that, man. It’s amazing to be able to give parents these memories to re-live again and again, but I also love the thought of the story this will tell to this little guy, one day.

 

Anyway, onto the good stuff! Check out some of my very favorite birth images, and meet the tiny little rock star that is Leo!

 

Thanks to the phenomenal midwives at Baton Rouge Birth Center, and doula Rene’ Johnson of Birth Help!

Partner offers support during labor at Birth Center of Baton Rouge

laboring mom walking down hallway with partner
dad offering mom water during childbirth

black and white photo of dad supporting mom through labor at Birth Center of Baton Rouge
laboring mother in birth swing

A labor swing can be a handy tool in a natural birth!

black and white photo of laboring mother in birth sling
mother laboring at a birth center

laboring mother trying various pressure points during contractions

Pressure point therapy can be another really effective tool in your birth toolbox!

mother in childbirth
exhausted mother in labor

How does Amy still look so pretty, even after hours of exhausting labor?! Spill the tea, sis.

dad checking on mom during childbirth
moment of connection between mom and dad during birth

I love this moment of connection, as Brandon makes sure Amy gets plenty of birth-fueling calories!

doula checking in on laboring mother

mother in labor at Birth Center Baton Rouge
laboring mother receiving support from doula and midwife

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These were difficult moments for Amy, as she learned that her labor was experiencing some hiccups. She was surrounded by the best care and support from her team, as they helped guide her through the information that ultimately led to a hospital transfer.

dad in birth sling

I love this moment from Brandon, if I’m honest. It makes me laugh every time I look at it! Being the good guy that he is, he was trying to make Amy smile with a quick test-run in the birth sling of his own.

mom laboring in hospital birth at Woman's Hospital

Moving to the hospital was definitely a change of pace, but Amy handled it beautifully.

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COVID birth sign in hospital

These are such historic times, and I’m always on the lookout for ways to tell the story of what the world was like when babies came into it. Hopefully these mask sign will be a thing of the past before too much longer!

dad kissing mom on forehead during labor
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doula comforts laboring mother in hospital

Renee is one of the sweetest, most experienced doulas in the area, and I adore working with her! She cares SO much about her clients!

mom crying as dad holds her hand during labor

One of my very favorite images from this day. That single tear on Amy’s cheek…! 😭
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powerful moment of childbirth at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge

What an incredible moment!!!! This still makes me choke up, just looking at this photo. Amy is a ROCK STAR!

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newborn baby at Woman's Hospital Baton Rouge
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newborn on mom's chest after birth
baby toes
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I love this image of Leo “peeking” at his dad!
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newborn being measured after birth
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I still can’t get over how much hair this kid had!

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Pandemic visitor restrictions mean that the after-birth period is a little more quiet than it used to be. But that just allows for some extra sweet image of baby snuggles with mom and dad!

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Interested in having your own birth documented? Drop me a line and let’s chat!

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