If you edit a gallery of 100-200 images, I think its nearly impossible as a Birth Photographer to say you had your top TEN favorite birth photos…
I mean, Birth Photography isn't reduced to just ONE "moment of delivery" birth photo, it's SO MUCH MORE than JUST THAT one moment.
Birth Photography is your entire story
Your baby’s birth photos starting from the beginning, including all the details no one will be able to remember after the events of today, details that maybe were overlooked, but end up meaning so much to you, from the clock on the wall showing the time your baby was born, to the sun setting as your baby was being born.
When you see an entire gallery, it's either going to make a WHOLE LOT OF SENSE to you, or you will feel like 90% of it makes zero sense and that I am not for you.
This is also exactly how I find my forever clients, because the mamas and the papas who are so excitingly waiting on the birth of their baby know that the birth photos I capture from their newborn baby’s birthing day is what they want and what their heart needs.
Which is why I end up loving my clients dearly and so many of them become great life-long friends, parents looking for "just that one shot" at the moment of delivery are not the ones who are wanting me to be on their birth team.
IF I HAD to reduce a gallery to my favorite TOP 10...
Starting with my favorite:
1- Mama holding her husband's hand in the operating room at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the Anesthesiologist moving the blue drape away from mom’s face.
The moment of relief & joy - a second ago she was able to look upon her newborn baby’s face, for the first time in her life she became a mother.
I know this moment so well, I lived it twice myself, as someone who internalizes a lot of my feelings, I LOVE how outwardly expressive mama is
2- I was overcome with how dainty this little lady is as she's being held by the baby nurse, in preparation for weighing her during the newborn exam at the baby warmer in the operating room, I'll never forget this image
3- While I love clear drapes for what they do for mamas in a c-section, instead of being “in the dark” behind the blue drape, scared why you don’t see your baby, why you don’t hear your baby crying, why no one is updating you on how your baby looks, you can actually see your newborn baby’s face the moment that your OBGYN or Midwife pulls your baby out and up and shows you your child!
The downside of clear drapes is that they are so hard to photograph through. The light hits ALL the creases and folds and makes visibility so limited.
Because this mom’s awesome midwife held baby up to the drape and moved baby around/closer to mama, I was able to capture some really great angles so we could focus and celebrate mama's meeting & heart moving emotions
4- Pure documentary style, LOVE the in between moments that aren't 'portraiture' for mom & dad, but part of the story. Just before surgery began a wave from @courtney_mcmillian with Dr. Lubetkin honed in and focused already
5- Take it back a few minutes earlier. The scene before the start of surgery. Notice size/shape of a breech baby belly. Sneak peek from Midwife. A favorite Labor and Delivery nurse (and friend) in the background along with Dr. Lubetkin
6- Even a few moments earlier. Proud first time daddy eager to meet his daughter while supporting his wife in the Operating Room at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, South Florida
7- Mom's first look at baby. I cannot emphasize how difficult it is to capture this moment in the operating room during a c-section where there is no space for a Birth Photographer/Doula/Professional Camera. It makes my heart so happy when the stars align for this birth photo
8- When I get permission to photograph the incision, it means so much because this is your proudest scar to wear as a strong c-section mama
9- Labor and Delivery nurse’s hand parting from daddy who is holding his baby skin to skin for the first time while waiting for mommy to return from the operating room.
If your baby needs NICU care, the following information is available for the public to read through on the Labor and Delivery Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital website, I will quote it below and provide the source link so that you can click the link and be directed to the hospital website in the event the information changes or is updated you can have the best information for you and your baby needing NICU support:
“NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU) New parents eagerly look forward to bringing their baby home, so it can be frightening if your newborn needs to be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Understanding the NICU and what goes on there can help alleviate your fears and allow us to better help you and your baby.” (SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“If you baby is sent to NICU, your first question will be, 'What is this place?' With equipment designed for infants and a hospital staff who has special training in newborn care, the NICU is an intensive care unit created for newborns that need specialized treatment. Toppel Family Place is a level II intensive care unit, which treats critically ill or premature babies. Babies who need to go to the unit are often admitted if they're born prematurely, have difficulties during delivery or show signs of a problem such as infection, breathing difficulties or feeding problems in the first few days of life.”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“Care of critically ill babies at or around 28 weeks or greater
Nurses and respiratory therapist trained to level III NICU
Doubled board-certified neonatologist in house 24 hours a day
Pharmacy, social work, physical and occupational therapy as well as nutritional services
Support groups and classes for parents
Breastfeeding support and equipment for sale or rental
Local sub-specialty support as needed
Participation in national research projects”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LEVEL I AND LEVEL II NICU?
The care given to our patients is exactly the same in both units and is provided by staff who are trained to the same standard and using the same equipment. The level III nursery provides some specialized technology and cares for babies born at fewer than 28 weeks gestation.”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“WHO WILL BE TAKING CARE OF MY BABY?
Although there will be many people helping your child during the NICU stay, those who are the most responsible for your baby's day-to-day care will likely be nurses and neonatologist. You will come to know these nurses and doctors very well and can rely on them to give you information and reassurance about your baby.”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“To better help you help your baby during his or her time in intensive care, it's a good idea to get as much information as possible about what to expect. The nurses see your baby every day, so they can give you frequent updates.
Some things you might want to ask the neonatologist and/or the nurses include:
How long will my baby be in the unit?
What, specifically, is the problem?
What will be involved in my baby's treatment and daily care?
What medicines will my baby have to take?
What types of test will be done on my baby?
What can my baby eat and when?
Will I be able to nurse or bottle-feed my baby and if so, when and how?
What can I do to help my baby?
Will I be able to hold or touch my baby?
How often and for how long can I stay in the unit?
What type of care will my baby need when we get home?”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“Once your baby is settled in the unit, he or she will receive care tailored to specific needs. Most NICU babies are on special feeding schedules, depending on level of developing or specific problems. Medications are another crucial part of NICU care and to ensure that your baby's care stays on track, the doctors may also order various tests. It is important to us to make the infant's stay in the NICU as comfortable and stress-free as possible for the whole family.”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
“WHO AM I INVOLVED IN MY BABY’S CARE?
We are family-centered NICU which means we encourage active participation by the parents and family in the care of your baby. We recognize that we provide care for a short time, but that you and your family will care for and nurture your baby for a lifetime. There is substantial research that demonstrates the importance of parental hands-on care and touch in supporting growth and development and decreasing the incidence of complications of prematurity.
Our lactation consultants and nurses will support the NICU mother and baby in the decision to breast feed. It is important for babies in the NCIU to have rest time and avoid over-stimulation. To ensure the optimal environment for healing we have guidelines for visitation which will be explained by your nurse. We work together toward the goal of taking your baby home and providing the support you need. It is our pleasure to care for you and your baby.”
(SOURCE LINK - BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL NICU UNIT)
Golden Hour, which was implemented at my favorite hospital in Boca Raton (BRRH Boca Regional) by some of my absolute favorite Labor and Delivery nurses who many of which have become amazing Certified Nurse Midwives since implementing Golden Hour, serves to the benefit of mom and baby. The benefits are endless, including baby’s healthy body temperature regulation, baby’s healthy heart rate regulation, increased success rates of breastfeeding due to this immediate and consistent bonding, better mental health results for mom, and so much more. Golden Hour is not a trendy or viral commodity. Golden Hour is a medically substantial tool to improving physical and mental health of both mom and baby following delivery and should be the standard of care at every hospital, as long as neither mom nor baby require immediate medical attention. In fact, many of the standard procedures nurses need to do such as taking baby’s temperature, administering vaccines, listening to baby’s heart rate and more can all be done while baby is doing skin to skin with mom. *** In the event that baby had to be delivered via c-section and mom is still in the operating room, the other parent (or support person) of course as long as baby’s parents approve, are able to do skin to skin with the baby until mom is able to do skin to skin, in the event you want to receive the immediate benefits of skin to skin following delivery but cannot do so because mom and baby cannot be together immediately.
10- FINALLY truly holding her newborn baby girl after her C-Section. A favorite documentary shot
Thank you for having me as a member of your birth team!
#bocaratonbirthphotographer
