Boca Raton Twin Birth: Witnessing Double the Joy with Dr. Dana Schey

This heartwarming collection of 48 birth photographs (from a full gallery of 107) chronicles the incredible journey of a cherished repeat client as she welcomed twins at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. With the skilled hands of OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey, the operating room transformed into a space of joy and anticipation. I've had the privilege of documenting this family's growth since their first child's birth in 2016, and capturing the arrival of their twins was truly an honor. Dr. Schey's expertise and compassionate care are evident in every image, showcasing the beauty and wonder of a twin delivery.

This birth story celebrates the miracle of life, the artistry of twin births, and the exceptional collaboration between the family's birth team, including Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Dr. Dana Schey, and myself, Boca Raton's dedicated birth photographer.

For those seeking a trusted OBGYN in Boca Raton:

Dr. Dana Schey is a highly experienced and respected obstetrics & gynecology specialist with over 20 years in the medical field. She's affiliated with both Boca Raton Regional Hospital and West Boca Medical Center, and her practice is currently accepting new patients.

Curious about the difference between a Spinal and an Epidural?

While this beautiful twin birth was made possible with a spinal block, many women opt for an epidural during vaginal deliveries. To learn more about these pain management options, check out this informative article:

What is the Difference between an Epidural and a Spinal?

Remember: Your OBGYN or Midwife is your primary source of information and support throughout your pregnancy. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions you may have!

Need Help Preparing for Your Prenatal Visits?

I've compiled a list of helpful questions to ask your OBGYN or Midwife during pregnancy. Feel free to print it out or keep it handy on your phone:

List of Questions to Ask your OBGYN/Midwife during pregnancy

Empowering yourself with knowledge is key to a confident and positive birth experience!

Charlie & Collin’s Birth Story

The night before we texted around 6pm. I tried to get to bed early, but you know how easily that goes when you are over the moon ecstatic that one of your Birth Photography clients is so excited to meet her babies the next morning! I am sure I got at least a couple of hours of sleep.

We agreed to meet in front of Labor and Delivery of Boca Regional Hospital at 4:45am the morning of July 19th.

We texted each other at 3:59AM on the morning of July 19th. Her sweet babies were going to be born on a Wednesday. We met up in front of the hospital at 4:36am knowing that the hospital instructed her with pre-op instructions to be at the hospital by 430am for her scheduled c-section delivery with her twins. 3 Hours Prior (which is excessive in my opinion as I have seen many of my c-section clients arrive 2 hours prior to their c-section and still have so much down time, while 3 hours ends up causing a lot of waiting, which builds a lot more anxiety).

I think it is typical upon arrival to feel a combination of things, a spectrum of emotions. We were all tired having started our days around 3AM in the morning and been up on our feet already two hours and the sun still hadn’t risen, but we were all really really excited.

Unfortunately, despite me arriving just before my Birth Photography client, I was not allowed to go upstairs at the same time as my client, as she was going to labor and delivery on the third floor. I understand initially they bring up patients to make sure they give them the opportunity to report any abuse (in relationships, I know this is shocking but its more common than you think and often this is a mom’s only opportunity) so I know I always have to wait for that. But shortly after she went upstairs to the third floor, her husband was able to come up, though I was kept waiting downstairs.

“They have me in the same little triage area” she texted me.

“There’s no available rooms, just FYI” she texted me.

A few weeks back, we had talked about what this c-section would mean to her. She experienced a previously traumatic delivery with her older daughter when she was in a car accident during her pregnancy and that kind of trauma tends to stay with you a long time. She didn’t feel great this pregnancy, as you can imagine how it goes with twins. She had some lower back period like cramping and tightening in the weeks leading up to her scheduled c-section, which is pretty typical.

Unfortunately despite her history, there weren’t any rooms available, so the pre-op area with the drawn curtains it is. Thankfully, it was not a busy morning, so her space was somewhat more on the private and quiet side.

After 30 minutes I started to get a bit worried. I knew how important it was to her to have my support and also how important it was to her that I capture every waking moment leading up to her babies being born.

Everyone thinks they know what Birth Photography is and they try to define it.

Some people think you start taking photos once the babies are delivered. Other people assume its a Newborn Shoot, you know, swaddled, posed babies. I myself have my own definition of what it is that I do as a Birth Photographer, and I know that at this point I should have already been with my client, but

the fact is, Birth Photography is what an expecting mom wants it to be.

It celebrates her love for her baby (or in this case babies) in the way a mother feels is true. If that starts before she sets foot into the hospital, that is when my job begins. In this case, it was causing me stress that I could not do my job because in this moment, no one had prioritized what the mom needed and planned for from the arrival at the hospital, which was to have me with her and her husband. She grasped her stress-ball tightly in her hand while she waited for me to finally be able to come upstairs.

I texted her “Does your nurse know your doula is here? Security told me they won’t let me up while you’re in triage, but I am not sure what’s going on. I also have your birth plan”

I sent that text to her at 552am.

Luckily, despite that scare, I was headed upstairs shortly after I was reunited with my client and she was relieved to see me.

Preparing to head into the Operating Room.

Mom was in a greenish traditional hospital gown that ties in the back, which she opted over a custom gown, (some of my families choose to not buy their own labor gown from amazon, though a majority enjoy the softer and more flattering fabric of the labor gowns on amazon), and dad was putting on the disposable scrub top, scrub pants and scrub booties prior to heading to the operating room at Boca Regional Hospital.

My Birth Photography client’s OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey arrived shortly after I did to chat and prep for her c-section surgery with her twins.

It was so comforting for my client to have her whole team there.

Walking to the Operating Room

Often, the scariest part of giving birth is the entire anticipation leading up to the actual delivery. This is often true for many moms, especially with regards to c-sections. Sure, there are exceptions and I have attended births where the scariest part isn’t always the anticipation. But for many moms, that is really the scariest part. Not knowing how things will go. Lots of medical stuff happening (noises, people, lots of blue everywhere), but thankfully, once they see and hear their baby, everything feels so much better!

But delivering twins can be a bit scarier sometimes. You’re worried two fold about two little babies! Will they be super small? How small will the twins really be? I’m not 40 weeks, but I am told 37 weeks is full term with twins. But still its two babies in there and my belly is still not that huge, how tiny will they be? Will baby B have a harder time than baby A? The list goes on indefinitely! The worries never end!

The clock on the wall above the scrub in station showed that it was 7:29am.

We had gotten there at 4:37am, it felt like a long day already and we hadn’t even met the babies yet!

Dad putting on his mask by the scrub station outside of the operating room

Dad watching through a window to the operating room as mom gets her spinal tap administered, her nurse is with her in the OR along with the anesthesiologist.

Dr. Dana Schey speaking with dad outside of the operating room at Boca Regional Hospital, going over the twin delivery, what he can expect to happen, including the Neonatologist checking on the babies and the possible involvement of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), before heading in for the c-section.

What does a Neonatologist do?

“A neonatologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in premature babies or newborns with high-risk or complex health conditions. If your baby is born premature or with an illness or congenital disability, a neonatologist will be the provider managing your baby's care.” [source: Cleveland Clinic]

For families investigating the best NICU facility in South Florida for their baby’s birth, it is important to research and ask questions, specifically by contacting the Director of labor and delivery at your preferred South Florida Labor and Delivery units and ask what level NICU their L&D has and what is the difference between an Level I and Level II NICU. According to the Boca Regional Hospital website, “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: Boca Regional Hospital website]

What is also really important to know about Boca Regional Hospital’s Labor and Delivery, that often I hear moms saying they will choose West Boca Medical Center because they have a Level III NICU and Boca Regional doesn’t is that

Nurses and Respiratory Therapists in the NICU at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital NICU is trained to level III NICU.

[source: Boca Regional NICU link]

Additionally, other services provided in the Boca Regional Hospital NICU are:

SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR NICU

• 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: Boca Regional NICU link]

I love the two bassinets waiting on the babies outside of the operating room! One for baby brother, one for baby sister.

Though I have always wanted to capture a photo of twins together in one bassinet, but many people don’t realize that a majority of time, one if not both babies may need to go into the NICU, even if for a short time, to receive extra medical support immediately following delivery, so it’s not often that I see both bassinets wheeled back into postpartum after the c-section delivery of twins.

The first thing dad did when he walked into the operating room was hold mom’s hand and that was just so heart warming to see & capture a photo of!

No matter how many babies you’ve given birth to, even if this isn’t your first or second c-section delivery, birth is intense! It’s not so easy to be calm & cheery in this moment as the surgery begins as one would think.

I captured the clock inside the operating room as well, but I am in disbelief that it was already 8:04am once dad and I joined mom in the operating room, before babies were even delivered! If you scroll up, you’ll see it was 7:29am when we were just waiting outside of the OR.

I was curious however, why there are always two clocks on the wall of the operating room in labor and delivery at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, so I had to do some research and found:

“Synchronized clocks and Elapsed Timers are commonly used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. A synchronized clock system will assure accurate and uniform time throughout the facility. This allows all staff members to record time of events based on one accurate time source. These situations consist of (but are not limited to): Patient admission time, dispensing medicine, formal time of birth, length of an operation, a medical procedure and more. In addition to having a synchronized clock in places such as operating rooms, emergency rooms and medical procedure rooms, there is also a need for an elapsed timer. The elapsed timer can perform a count-up or countdown depending on the procedure. In order to provide a solution for monitoring or recording the accurate time as well as using an elapsed timer, Sapling recommends adopting the dual display solution. This solution includes one clock that will be dedicated to present the accurate time and a second clock that will be dedicated to act as the elapsed timer that would interface with the elapsed timer control panel. One way to implement this solution is to choose one analog clock dedicated to show the accurate time and the second display is a digital clock dedicated to act as the elapsed timer.” [source: sapling-inc.com]

A lot of nerves and anxiety leading up to the babies deliveries. As you can see, it’s not only affecting mom, but also dad. Which is why other hospitals must do better. Doula support is not only for the birthing parent — the other parent often needs just as much support through this process, yet there is rarely anyone who is able to fill this role.

The sooner every hospital recognizes that cesarean birth is the only awake major surgery that should allow for experienced support people to attend, the better the birthing community & their patients will be served.

Baby A - Feet First

As seen here, Baby A - often referred to as the first twin being delivered, is being delivered feet first. I’ve seen this referred to as “footling breech” at previous deliveries. Though to be frank, I am not sure if this was baby’s gestational position leading up to delivery - I hadn’t asked my client before. I’ll have to check in with her and update.

“Twins are labeled as A or B according to their location relative to the birth canal. Antenatal labeling is usually established by prenatal ultrasound. Most often, fetuses known in utero as twin A are also first born and thus retain their label. [source]”

Sometimes with twins, they are scooped off to be seen by the Neonatologist before mom and dad get to have a good look at them at the moment of delivery

Baby B - Feet First

If you look closely, you can see a pair of teeny tiny feet of Baby B also emerging first.

Scooped away by Neonatology to ensure babies are safe

Baby B is weighed - 5 pounds 4 ounces

Baby A is weighed

Baby A weighed 5 pounds and 1 oz — really good weights for both twins!

Dad being guided over to the baby warmer to meet the babies — first Baby A! (the closest baby warmer in the operating room to mama)

Dad went back to mom to express his excitement for being able to see Baby A up close!

You can also see OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey peeking over the blue drape in the above image, she was so excited for her patient and her patient’s husband!

At this moment, a lot of the nerves and anxiety of “will they be okay” have passed, and the parents are able to catch a breath knowing their babies are both safe & in good hands

We were caught off guard when the nurse suddenly brought Baby A over to meet mommy! I love that the nurse left the “A” on the baby’s swaddle so we would know exactly who mama is meeting in the photos later!

Though the babies both have their unique identifying features and it is easy to tell that this is Baby A - baby girl Charlie!

Baby’s First Kiss

Just the sweetest moment. C-section deliveries indeed are a medical procedure, but they also are the powerful process & journey of birth, and I am so thankful for the medical staff that understand how very important to the parents mental health and to mommy-baby bonding it is to have this brief meeting moment happen IN the operating room

Mama still had her stress ball, and this is such a good idea — I have not seen this done before and highly recommend it. It is so nice to feel that comfort through this whole process

In the background of this image, across the operating room, you can see the nurse doing Baby B’s footprints

Meeting Twin B

Showing Mommy all that hair!!

Smooches for Baby B!!!

“It's important to know that multiples have a much higher rate of prematurity than singletons. And with premature labor comes the risk that your babies won't be fully developed – which means they will need special care in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) before they can go home.” [source:thebump]

“How long they stay in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) will depend on a number of factors, including gestation at delivery, weight, any complications that have occurred, and the overall health of the babies. But try not to be too overwhelmed by the NICU – it’s just a place for your babies to receive extra special care. The best thing you can do is plan ahead to find the highest level NICU in your region, in the event that your babies do need to spend time there.” [source: thebump]

Immediately following delivery, the hospital medical staff guided dad to the NICU to see and be near his babies, while mom recovered (as obviously unable to walk or be in a wheelchair immediately following the surgery)

Baby A (girl) “Charlie” was given a pink blanket with froggies

Baby B (boy) “Collin” was given a blanket with puppies

I think it is so sweet & cute that the patches on the baby’s skin have little blue hearts on them.

These patches are used to continuously record baby’s vitals (“through electrodes placed on the skin with wires attached to monitoring platforms. Researchers are working to replace the wires with a patch that would allow parents to hold their little one while [he or she is] being monitored.” [source: medicaldesignbriefs]

You can see just how small baby is next to daddy’s hand!

I love the fact that this hospital does a keepsake blue baby footprint book for every baby — I had my daughter over a decade ago at this same hospital and have my own blue book.

Updates on babies & mama after delivery:

Already later that afternoon, mama updated me that both of the twins went to oxygen level 2, then down to 1, and by evening were completely off oxygen all together.

Charlie (Baby A - girl) was already practicing with a bottle that same night of her birth.

By three days after birth, all IVs and feeding tubes were out for both babies and mom and dad were able to feed both babies without all the wires and tubes.

Big sisters were able to come to the hospital on day 3 to look at the twins through the nursery window (still no touching or holding but so nice for them to finally see their baby siblings).

Baby A (Charlie - girl) had increasing jaundice levels on day 3 so she had to go under special lights after her 11am feed, though the hospital said it was looking good for the babies to both go home on day 4, as the medical staff inspected mom and dad’s car to ensure their car seats were according to regulations.

Mama was discharged from the hospital 4 days after her delivery.

Another update 11 days after birth came in from mama that her pain and discomfort from the surgery continued about 9 days after birth, and came back on day 11.

Babies were still not sucking as well as they were hoping for and so mama was pumping as much as possible to keep up with them once they are able to suck, though both have a great latch and the family’s pediatrician said it can take them until past 37 weeks to really acquire that skill.

Overall sleepless nights, but they are giving mom and dad 3 hours of good sleep in between feedings and they were able to keep up with the NICU schedule.

It has now been 6 months since the babies were born, I hope to be able to see them and their big sisters hopefully sometime this year in 2024! I love my Birth Photography families!! I am so grateful for Dr. Dana Schey taking such good care of my clients and trusting me to be part of my clients birth teams in the delivery room and operating room. Thank you so much Dr. Dana Schey!

Birth Photography in Boca Raton Hospitals with Dr. Dana Schey

In the city of Boca Raton, well known across the United States for it’s retirement community, is a beaming young community where families turn to Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery stand as a sanctuary for laboring and birthing moms to welcome their new babies!

Within the walls of these two outstanding Boca Raton hospitals, the journey of childbirth is elevated to a supported experience with caring and attentive labor and delivery nurses—though labor often encompasses a wide range of emotions, as it is captured through the lens of your Boca Raton Birth Photographer Paulina Splechta.

As many expecting families are preparing to meet their newborn baby and are hiring their Birth Photographer in Boca Raton, as well as doing their research into who the best studio newborn photographers are as well as pregnancy “maternity photographers” in the Delray Beach/Boynton Beach/Parkland local area, one of the other important tasks that is on the top of every pregnant mother’s todo list is to interview and hire the best Boca Raton OBGYN for her baby’s birth.

Dr. Dana Schey, one of the local and best OBGYNs in Boca Raton, many of my Birth Photography clients work with, is a beacon of expertise and compassion, leads the way, bringing her unparalleled skills in obstetrics and gynecology to create an unforgettable birthing experience.

Dr. Dana Schey, Boca Raton OB/GYN

A Pillar of Expertise and Compassion

Dr. Dana Schey, a distinguished top Boca Raton OBGYN, completed her undergraduate education at the University of Miami and earned her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Her journey continued with a residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. With hospital affiliations at West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery and Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital labor and delivery, including a level III NICU, Dr. Schey ensures the highest standard of care for her patients.

Recognized by a multitude of insurance providers, including BCBS, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Avmed, Tricare, Humana, Bright Healthcare, and Medicare, Dr. Schey's commitment to accessible healthcare is unwavering.

The Boca Raton Birth Experience: Dr. Schey

As Boca Raton’s Birth Photographer with the privilege of capturing the magic at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and and West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery, I've witnessed the seamless collaboration between Dr. Schey and her dedicated team. The delivery room transforms into a haven where anticipation, joy, and the miracle of life converge. Dr. Dana Schey's expertise, paired with her warm and compassionate approach, crafts a unique and unforgettable birthing experience for every family.

A Testimony from the Heart: Patient Experiences with Dr. Schey OBGYN in Boca Raton

Brooke G., a patient of Dr. Schey’s in Boca Raton, shares her experience:

“This was my first visit to see Dr. Schey. The office is beautiful and very clean. Dr. Schey made me feel very comfortable and was very easy to talk to. I didn’t think I would find anyone as personable, friendly, and as comforting as my previous Dr., but I believe I did! I hope for many more yearly Dr. visits with Dr. Schey!!!”

— Brooke G. patient of Dr. Dana Schey (https://www.toplinemd.com/danaschey)

Ashley B., another patient of Dr. Dana Schey Boca Raton OB/GYN, expresses her gratitude:

“ Dr. Schey is the BEST!! She is incredibly brilliant, kind, caring, and truly an expert. I am constantly impressed by her and continue to be grateful for her as my doctor each time I visit. She is simply wonderful. The experience at her office is lovely too; I always feel so welcomed and valued by everyone on her team!”

— Ashley B. patient of Dr. Dana Schey (https://www.toplinemd.com/danaschey)

Birth Photography at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and and West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery

As Boca Raton’s Birth Photographer for 9 years and over 200 Boca Raton births, I've had the honor of freezing these extraordinary moments in time. The raw, unfiltered emotions captured in each photograph tell a story of resilience, love, and the miracle of life. Dr. Schey's expertise, combined with the welcoming environment at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and and West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery, ensures that your birth story is a visual masterpiece—a testament to the beauty of life in Boca Raton.

When Choosing your OB/GYN for your Boca Raton Hospital birth, considering Dr. Dana Schey during Your Birth Photography Birth Story

Embarking on the journey of childbirth is a profound experience, and with Dr. Dana Schey OB/GYN at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and and West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery, it becomes an artful celebration. Trust us to capture the magic, the connections, and the miracles of your childbirth journey through the lens of a dedicated birth photographer. With Dr. Dana Schey and our experienced team, your family story begins with a visual narrative that lasts a lifetime—a cherished tapestry woven in the heart of Boca Raton.

15 Questions to ask the OBGYN in Boca Raton about your upcoming Birth

(clickable link to a list of 15 questions to ask a Boca Raton OBGYN during your interviews/initial prenatal visit/consultation as well as 13 questions to ask when you are approaching your third trimester of pregnancy)

Capturing Miracles: Birth Photography at Mount Sinai Medical Center with Dr. Bitran and Rivera OBGYN

In the heart of the vibrant city of Miami, where the urban pulse meets the miraculous rhythm of life, Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery unit stands as a beacon of hope and new beginnings for families preparing to birth and meet their newborn babies. Within Mount Sinai’s Labor and Delivery walls, a symphony of emotions unfolds with each birth—a unique and awe-inspiring journey that I, as South Florida’s Birth Photographer and Maternity Photographer in Miami, have had the honor of capturing with over 200 expecting families since 2014. In this bustling hub of life, one name shines brightly—Bitran & Rivera OBGYN, a team of three Board Certified Obstetricians through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Doctors Franz Rivera, Dr. Mitchell Bitran and Dr. Mauricio Bitran, a team that is a guiding force in the transformative journey of childbirth.

“Bitran & Rivera OBGYN — A guiding force in the transformative journey of childbirth”

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A Symphony of Emotions with Dr. Bitran

Over the course of attending over 200 births throughout my 9 years as Miami’s Birth Photographer, at Mount Sinai Medical Center Labor & Delivery I have witnessed the incredible expertise and compassion of Dr. Bitran. This hypothetical doctor has become synonymous with creating a supportive environment, turning the delivery room into a sacred space where anticipation, excitement, and nerves intertwine.

Dr. Bitran's calm demeanor and reassuring words set the tone for a journey that transcends the physical and enters the realm of shared emotions. With each contraction and every encouraging word, the room becomes a canvas painted with the raw, unfiltered beauty of childbirth.

An Unforgettable Encounter: Birth at Mount Sinai Medical Center labor and delivery

Among the countless stories, one couple's experience stands out—a testament to the seamless collaboration between Dr. Bitran and Rivera OBGYN. The soon-to-be parents entered the delivery room with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, greeted by Dr. Bitran's warmth and expertise.

As the labor progressed, the room echoed with laughter, encouragement, and the shared excitement of new life. Dr. Bitran's guidance paved the way for a smooth delivery, culminating in that magical moment when a newborn made their debut. Bathed in warm, golden light, the couple embraced the joy and tears of becoming parents, with Dr. Bitran orchestrating the journey with grace.

Considering that South Florida has some of the highest c-section rates in the United States, with the metropolitan city of Miami at the epicenter of these highest statistics, I found that Mount Sinai boasts a surprising, bold and confident statement on their Labor and Delivery website:

“Mount Sinai has the lowest primary C-section rates in the region”

[Primary C-section refers to a c-section done on a first delivery for an expecting mother (her first birth]

“Mount Sinai Medical Center is proud to have the lowest primary caesarian section rate in South Florida.

Mount Sinai has the lowest primary C-section rates in the region. In addition, Mount Sinai Medical Center offers expectant parents added peace of mind in knowing we have a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) adjacent to our labor and delivery suites. So, most babies requiring special medical intervention can receive the care they need without transferring to a different hospital.

Advanced medical care does not end with childbirth. Mount Sinai Medical Center’s gynecology services include comprehensive care for women of every age. From regular well-woman services to advanced, minimally invasive procedures and the diagnosis of gynecologic cancers, Mount Sinai’s gynecologists have the technology and training to expertly provide women’s health services to our diverse community.” (source: Mount Sinai Labor and Delivery website)

This information is indeed new and surprising to me, as just in 2018-2019 some of the best known Labor and Delivery units in South Florida were known to have a C-section rate of anywhere from 50% to 70% and some even higher. The problem this presents is that the rate of subsequent C-sections will be higher and while I had two c-sections myself and am grateful for them so I am absolutely not against c-sections, having a c-section is so much more involved than you would think. A lot of families struggle to afford the hospital bills that follow, a lot of subsequent pregnancies will also be delivered via c-section due to most doctors in South Florida not providing VBAC services (Vaginal Birth after C-section) and this can lead to higher rates of infection, longer recovery times, harder times for women to take care of their toddlers and newborns simultaneously, and repeat c-sections carry with them various additional risks as well, such as For women with placenta previa, the risk of placenta accreta is 3%, 11%, 40%, 61%, and 67%, for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth or more cesarean, respectively 13. (source: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

The risk of placenta accreta increases with the number of C-sections or other uterine surgeries you've had. Placenta position. If the placenta partially or totally covers your cervix (placenta previa) or sits in the lower portion of your uterus, you're at increased risk of placenta accreta. (source: Mayo Clinic)

Freezing Time: The Art of Birth Photography at Mount Sinai

As Miami’s Birth Photographer, Newborn Photographer and Maternity Photographer, my lens captured the intimate moments that unfolded in the delivery room. Each photograph tells a story of resilience, love, and the miracle of life. The connection between Dr. Bitran, & Dr. Rivera OB/GYN, and the Birth Photography expecting moms I photographed is palpable—a shared journey etched into the visual narrative of each image.

Your New Baby’s Birth: A Cherished Chapter in Your Family Story

Reflecting on their experience, the parents expressed gratitude for the support received from Dr. Bitran and Rivera OBGYN. The shared journey of childbirth became a cherished chapter in their family story. The Birth Photos I captured during births in Miami with Dr. Bitran and Dr. Rivera at Mount Sinai Medical Center Labor and Delivery served as timeless reminders of the day their lives changed forever—an indelible moment when Mount Sinai Medical Center Labor and Delivery, Dr. Bitran, and the magic of birth became integral to their family narrative.

Choosing Dr. Bitran & Dr. Rivera OB/GYN for Your Birth with your Birth Photographer Paulina Splechta

Embarking on the journey of childbirth is a momentous occasion—one filled with anticipation, joy, and the promise of new beginnings. At Mount Sinai Medical Center Labor and Delivery, alongside the expertise of Dr. Bitran and Rivera OBGYN, your birth story becomes a work of art, captured in breathtaking detail through the lens of a dedicated Miami Birth Photographer.

Trust us to freeze those extraordinary moments in time, ensuring that the emotions, connections, and miracles of your childbirth journey are preserved for a lifetime. With Dr. Rivera OBGYN and your experienced Miami Birth and Newborn Photographer, your family story begins with a visual masterpiece—a testament to the beauty of newborn baby life coming into the world that you can experience during your labor and delivery experience at Mount Sinai Medical Center Labor and Delivery.

Top Google Reviews OBGYNs vs. My Personal Experience as a South Florida Birth Photographer out of Boca Raton

Are Google Reviews Indicative of How Competent and Well Liked OBGYNS are in South Florida?

Sometimes when one of my South Florida Birth Photography clients asks me to recommend some Obstetricians for her, or for a friend or family member of her, I rely a lot on google and will type in “OBGYN in Boca Raton” and sometimes “Best OBGYN in South Florida” if my client needs someone in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami (though I barely know any OBGYNs in Miami!)

I have come to rely on Google more than I probably should, and while some professionals have PDFs and info graphics with their favorite providers, I don’t really have everyone in one place, and besides, why update my own documents when Google does that for you :)

While looking up the websites / phone numbers / addresses and other doctor names at certain practices I often refer to, the thought occurred to me that it would be interesting for me to take a look at how many Google Reviews all of the OBGYNs listed on Google in Broward County and near Boca Raton have compared to the OBGYNs who I most often refer to.

Best OBGYN in South Florida

I suppose it is interesting to consider how having a lot of Google Reviews, especially if they are 4.0 stars or higher, can make you and your Obstetrical practice appear on Google, especially to couples who use Google search terms like “Best OBGYN near me” or “Best OBGYN in South Florida”.

Do Expecting Couples Pick their Doctor (to deliver their baby) Based off Google Reviews?

I am curious what kind of impact Google Reviews and having more of them have on couples who are solely going off of Google Reviews when doing their own research to find a good provider for their prenatal care during pregnancy, for their newborn baby’s birth / delivery and for their postpartum care.

I am curious if certain couples feel that Google Reviews are indicative of how competent and well liked an OBGYN is. And if certain couples do indeed feel that Google Reviews indicate which providers they should consider hiring, how many couples out there are really making their decisions about hiring a Medical care provider such as an OBGYN or Midwife solely based off of Google Reviews.

Whether its less than a quarter of expecting couples or more than half who are hiring their OBGYN based off of Google Reviews only, I still find it fascinating to take a look at what some of the local Obstetrical Doctors practices in Broward County and the surrounding areas of Boca Raton are scoring on their reviews, and how many reviews they have compared to my personal experiences as Birth Photographer in South Florida over the last 9 years capturing parents first moments meeting their newborn baby (followed by some lovely South Florida Newborn Photography and Maternity Photo Sessions in Boca Raton during their pregnancies).

1,000 Google Reviews or 200 Google Reviews?

I think before we dive in any further, a great question to ask is why Google Reviews could possibly mean this much to expecting families who are looking for a great Doctor to deliver their baby. Google Reviews are considered mostly unbiased, right? Left by people who are honest about their experiences. But if we put aside the fact that I have been hearing that many companies are paying to delete negative comments on their Google Accounts, to which I have seen zero evidence online proving this, the more important question to me is actually what impact does 1,000 Google Reviews for ONE OBGYN team make on an expecting couple, and is that expecting couple more likely to hire that OBGYN practice or a practice that has only 200 Google Reviews?

To start, the OBGYNs and their teams that have been the doctors that my South Florida Birth Photography clients have hired most commonly over the years have been:

BOCA RATON OBGYNS MY SOUTH FLORIDA BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS HAVE USED

Dr. David Lubetkin of Boca Midwifery, Dr. Jane Rudolph, Dr. Gostal Arcelin, Dr. Rachel Ciaccio, Dr. Lauren Feingold, Dr. Stewart Newman, Dr. Tara Ruberg, Dr. Kristine Tibavisky of Women’s Health Partners (also with offices in Boynton Beach), Dr. Samuel Abramovitz, Dr. Dana Schey, Dr. Kenneth Konsker of Lucina Women’s Health, Dr. Ty Swartzlander of Boca Babes, Dr. Jennifer Daif Parker of Delray Beach OB/GYN Associates, Dr. Kathleen Thompson, Dr. Frederick Silfen and all of these doctors have delivered my Birth Photography clients over the last 9 years at either Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital (formerly known as Boca Community Hospital) or West Boca Medical Center Labor and Delivery.

CORAL SPRINGS OBGYNS MY SOUTH FLORIDA BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS HAVE USED

Dr. Mitchell Feldman, Dr. Tali Rombro, Dr. Brooke Slaton, and Dr. Heather Gabai Hernandez of Omega Women’s Care and Dr. Hala Bunni at HCA Florida Royal Palm OB/GYN (who also works on the same team as Christina Fallacaro Certified Nurse Midwife who has worked with my past Birth Photography clients and also Midwife Nicole Navarrette and these doctors have delivered my past South Florida Birth Photography clients at either HCA Florida Northwest Hospital (formerly known as Northwest Medical Center) or Broward Health Coral Springs

FORT LAUDERDALE & MIAMI OBGYNS MY SOUTH FLORIDA BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS HAVE USED

Dr. Channing Coe of OBGYN By the Sea, Dr. Delisa Skeete Henry of Serene Health OB/GYN and Wellness and both of these doctors have delivered my past South Florida Birth Photography clients at Broward Health Medical Center (formerly known as Broward Health General Hospital)

Dr. Mauricio Bitran on the same team as Dr. Mitchell Bitran at Bitran and Rivera Obstetrics & Gynecology, and they delivered my past South Florida Birth Photography clients at Mount Sinai in Miami (but I do the least amount of births there - one South Florida Birth Photography client at Mount Sinai per due month)

Dr. Rachel Bernstein and Dr. Patricia Calvo who previously delivered my South Florida Birth Photography clients at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale which no longer has a labor and delivery unit, I am not sure where these OBs deliver these days, though I’ve heard of some potential physician privileges at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital from one of my former South Florida Birth Photography clients.

OBGYNS WHO HAVE PRIVILEGES AT JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER MY SOUTH FLORIDA BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS HAVE USED

Dr. Dudley Brown of the Brown Institute for Health and Wellness

Dr. Marc Kaufman and Dr. Jeffrey Litt of Partners in Women’s Health in Jupiter

*Note about Missing Providers from my personal experiences list

Wow this a lot of Doctors when I look at them all together! And they only account for a certain small percentage of births I have attended, because many of my clients have instead hired a Certified Nurse Midwife for their hospital delivery or a home birth midwife for their home birth or local birth center birth. And still there are some OBGYN names left out because either I only had 1 delivery with 1 South Florida Birth Photography client who used that doctor so I don’t recall the doctor’s name, or I definitely left out the doctors who caused my Birth Photography clients excessive emotional distress that I would not be able to have a single positive thing to say about this traumatic births and would rather not list their names here. And still there could be OBGYNs names I have forgotten as part of this hefty list.

Favorite OBGYNS in South Florida

It is important for me to indicate, that among all of the Obstetricians names and practices I listed above are my favorite OBGYNs in South Florida. And they are my favorites for a few possible reasons: I’ve either had multiple births with multiple Birth Photography clients who hired this Doctor many times, the Doctor has left a lasting impression on me as a mother and birth worker, enough for me to have a really great opinion of them as an OB/GYN, or maybe I just happen to appreciate this doctor as a person! Some - all of the above!

Shocking Facts about Doctor’s Google Reviews

So you can imagine my surprise when I scoured Google Reviews and found that from all the OBGYNs I have met over the last 9 years with my South Florida Birth Photography clients, most of their practices have no more than 452 Google Reviews! This is shocking when you comparing these numbers to the top OBGYN Google Review performers in the area (completely unrelated to their performance as actual obstetricians I am only commenting on their Google Review achievements) which stand in the 700-1100 Google Review range, and these are practices and doctors I’ve never heard of and have never even worked with in nearly a decade of being South Florida’s Birth Photographer, Newborn Photographer, Maternity Photographer and Family Photographer.

While I know South Florida is massive, and since I predominantly serve the tri-county area, I’ll refer to that when I say it is 1279 square miles with a population of 6.14 million people. While there’s no telling how many of that population encompasses expecting mothers without doing further research, I do know that there are around 200-600 deliveries per month at each South Florida Hospital on average. So while it’s not really that far fetched to assume I’d know every single OBGYN in South Florida, it does indeed surprise me that the highest Google Review performing offices are practices I’ve never come across a day in my life.

Medicaid vs. Birth Photography

I do think this bears the question, how many of the practices with Google Reviews serve a population of birthing families that appreciate Birth Photography? The metropolitan area of our tri-county South Florida area has a 19.8 poverty rate, way higher than the national average. And 16.4% of The metropolitan area of our tri-county South Florida area is on Medicaid (source: datausa.io) and otherwise don’t have access to health coverage or employee plans. That shocking 19.8 poverty rate definitely encroaches one way or another on the population of pregnant women seeking to hire a professional Newborn Photographer, and the poverty rate is higher in areas of Miami Dade County and Broward County than it is in the City of Boca Raton where the average cost of living has an index of 114.1 which means the total cost of living is 14.1 percent higher than the US average and a typical home averages $546,300 and rent is $2330 for a two bedroom apartment (according to bestplaces.net)

Perhaps the main reason why my path does not cross with these high Google Ranking practices is due to higher rates of patients under the poverty line. Of course you cannot be certain without knowing the demographic breakdown of the practices, so this very well could not be the case, and I may have simply never crossed paths with these practices because I haven’t reached those Obstetrical teams or perhaps their patients have no interest in Birth Photography.

There’s More to OBGYNS than their Google Reviews

I firmly believe that expecting couples who are basing their decision on what OB/GYN to hire for their baby’s birth should take the volume of Google Reviews with a grain of salt.

• It’s important to remember that these providers specialize in maternal care, not how to rank higher on google.

• A majority of these providers also do not hire an outside marketing team to get them to where they need to be on Google.

• It’s also actually really hard to get newly postpartum moms to leave you a Google Review when they have their hands full with healing themselves from their delivery while also breastfeeding or feeding, changing, burping and all the aspects of taking care of a newborn baby.

• A majority of doctors are not hypervigilant of how they are even doing on Google, they are so invested in patient care, they are not checking their Google Reviews.

• While its certainly impressive that certain OBGYNS in Fort Lauderdale are managing to get upwards of 1100 Google Reviews, its also important to remember that these OB/GYNs in Fort Lauderdale could very well be seeing an astronomically higher volume of patients than their Coral Springs, Boca Raton and Jupiter counterparts, who work out of smaller Hospitals with less labor and delivery rooms.

• OB/GYNs listed in this blog post from my personal experiences over the last 9 years have taken amazing care of my South Florida Birth Photography clients over the years, and certainly should not be scored based on how many Google Reviews have been left for their Obstetrician Practices.

• All this in consideration, let’s remember….

Don’t Judge an OBGYN by the volume of their Google Reviews

If you are needing some input on where to start when interviewing OBGYNs during your pregnancy for your upcoming baby’s birth, you can start here with…

“Questions to Ask at your first prenatal visit”

(clickable link)

This link with Questions to Ask at your first prenatal visit lists excellent questions you can ask during consultations but if you are past that part and in your first, second or even third trimester, don’t hesitate to get my printable list so you can bring these questions in during your prenatal visits. My biggest piece of advice as being a mother myself and seeing over 200 South Florida mothers (both first time moms and 8th time moms and everything in between) go through pregnancies with various Doctors, if you start asking questions and something feels off, because maybe your Doctor gave you a subpar answer or was completely dismissive, or said something that set off a red flag in your instincts, it’s never too late to investigate changing your OBGYN. This link also works great if you are planning to give birth with a Certified Nurse Midwife in the hospital.

If you are planning to give birth at home or in a local birth center, you can check out my alternative link with 36 Questions to Ask a Home Birth Midwife (clickable link)

• If you have questions for Paulina Splechta Photography

• Would like a list of questions to ask your OBGYN or Midwife

• Would like to inquire on availability for your due date

Fill out the following form and we will get back to you with a short questionnaire to get started!

Giving Birth with your Birth Team in Boca Raton, South Florida

Birth Teams

WHAT IS A BIRTH TEAM?

A birth team typically refers to a group of individuals who provide support and care to a pregnant woman before, during, and after childbirth. The composition of a birth team can vary based on personal preferences and cultural practices.

Common members of a birth team may include:

OBSTETRICIAN OR MIDWIFE:

A healthcare professional who oversees the medical aspects of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Some examples of OBGYNs and Midwives who are local are Dr. Tina Mehta and Dr. Joanne Sarroza of Elite OBGYN or Dr. Antonia Zecevic, Dr. Emmanuelle Bagdasarian, Dr. Joy Cavalris, Dr. Samuel Lederman and Dr. Sylvia Siegried of Women’s Care OBGYN in Lake Worth or Midwife Dana Jacob who is a CNM - Certified Nurse Midwife.

DOULA:

A non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing mother and their partner.

PARTNER OR SUPPORT PERSON:

The birthing mother’s significant other, family member, or friend who offers emotional support during labor.

NURSES AND MEDICAL STAFF:

Hospital or birthing center staff who assist with medical interventions, monitoring, and care during labor and delivery.

LACTATION CONSULTANT:

A specialist, such as Rachel the Lactation Nurse at Mommy Did You Know LLC who helps with breastfeeding support and guidance after childbirth. With Rachel’s Lactation Support Services, she includes an all-inclusive prenatal and breastfeeding resource for new families and all of her packages are based on over 10 years of professional, hospital, and personal experience contact her at 561-320-4338

BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER:

Birth Photographers are professionals who work on-call, just like an Obstetrician or Midwife, but are non-medical professionals who specialize in capturing moments during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. They focus on documenting the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth, providing families with lasting memories of the experience.

The specific individuals included in a birth team can vary, and some people may choose to have a more extensive team while others prefer a more intimate setting. The goal is to create a supportive environment for the birthing person to enhance their childbirth experience.

I've had the honor of being a member of over 200 birth teams as a Birth Photographer, though I am usually never in front of the camera 🙂📸

So I am excited to share a handful of images I have from 9 years where I happen to be lucky enough to get in front of the camera along with my clients and their birth teams 🙂

If you've had me as your Birth Photographer on your birth team in Boca Raton whether at Boca Regional Hospital or a Home Birth and we don't have any photos together - worry not! We are usually so wrapped up in meeting your baby that we all forget 🙂 though if you do have photos of us together, please post and tag me as they are definitely a rare treasure!

The Importance of On-Call Birth Photographers in South Florida Hospitals

Should I or Shouldn’t I?

The Benefits of Hiring Your Birth Photographer for your Baby’s Birth in 2024

Welcoming your brand new baby through childbirth into the world is an exhilarating experience, filled with joy, anticipation, and a myriad of preparations.

For couples in South Florida, the choice of which Labor and Delivery and which Hospital to birth in and entrust their baby’s care with is crucial.

In this blog post, I’ll touch base on the birthing facilities of West Boca Medical Center, Baptist Health Boca Regional Hospital, Bethesda Delray Beach, Bethesda Boynton Beach, Jupiter Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center, and Broward Health Coral Springs. Moreover, I will cover the invaluable role of On-Call Birth Photographers in preserving the precious moments of meeting your baby for the first time through the experience of childbirth.

Selecting the Perfect Birthing Facility:

Before diving into the significance of hiring your On-Call Birth Photographer for your birth, let's first highlight the birthing facilities that South Florida has to offer. These hospitals provide top-notch care, experienced staff, and comfortable environments for expectant parents:

Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital

West Boca Medical Center

Bethesda Hospital East Boynton Beach

Jupiter Medical Center

Northwest Medical Center / HCA Florida Northwest Hospital

Broward Health Coral Springs

Planning the Perfect Journey:

As expecting families prepare for the arrival of their brand new baby, they meticulously plan baby showers, (or sprinkles) maternity pregnancy photoshoots, and wonderful Baby’s Nurserys with decor and furnishings. Alongside these, choosing the right OBGYN, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Doula is crucial. However, one element often overlooked is the role of an On-Call Birth Photographer as a crucial member of your Birth Team for your labor and your baby’s birth.

Why Hire an On-Call Birth Photographer to be a member of your Birth Team?

Capturing Your & Your Partner/Spouse’s Raw Emotion:

Regardless of what type of birth you are planning, whether a birth with your first baby, a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), a scheduled induction, a delivery with twins (or even triplets!), a scheduled Cesarean, an epidural-free birth, ALL Birth is a powerful, emotional journey.

Your On-Call Birth Photographer specializes in capturing these raw, unfiltered moments, preserving the powerful journey of preparing for your baby’s first cries, the look of awe on parents' faces, and the joyous expressions of family members.

I do find that often couples who choose not to have a Professional On-Call Birth Photographer as a member of their birth team often wonder if they should have hired one or feel that something is missing.

I also find that Spouses and partners try to fill the gap and take the photos, or ask a Labor and Delivery Nurse to, but often, with them having a much more important role in that moment - think about it - a partner or spouse is also very emotionally invested and is caring for birthing mom, and nurses have many roles to juggle during the often fast paced moment fo delivery, and these images are often blurry, too dark, too bright, too zoomed in, or out of focus.

I also do love when Partners and Spouses are able to completely forget about photos and focus 100% on this moment and their vital role as the other parent to this sweet sweet baby in this moment and be 100% present. When I have my camera between my face and the “scene” I am often able to focus so much on capturing the right shot that is in focus, the right lighting, that is decent without showing too much skin, but being this focused on capturing the right shot also helps me to stay emotionally composed, I don’t tear up, I am not as connected to my client birthing her baby in this moment. However, if you switch roles and put a partner/spouse behind a camera, you definitely want them to stay emotionally connected and present in meeting their baby during the birthing moment, so you don’t want them ‘disconnected’ like I can be when I am focusing on capturing the moment.

Creating Lasting Memories:

Hiring your South Florida On-Call Birth Photographer ensures that every significant moment leading up to the moment you meet your baby is documented, in a professional and artistic way, creating a beautiful visual narrative of your baby’s birth story. These images become cherished memories for you and your family for a lifetime.

Professional Expertise: On-call birth photographers possess the skill and experience to navigate the unpredictable nature of childbirth. Their ability to adapt to different situations ensures that no moment is missed, no matter how fleeting.

Incorporating South Florida Flair: Understanding the hot topic words in South Florida is crucial for creating a connection. Terms like "beach-themed nursery," "baby's first swim," and "family photoshoot in the sunshine" resonate with expectant parents in the region.

Flexible Scheduling: While it's ideal to hire a birth photographer early in pregnancy, the third trimester is not too late. On-call birth photographers accommodate late bookings, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to capture their unique birth experience.

As expectant parents embark on the incredible journey of welcoming a new life, selecting the right birthing facility is crucial. For an expecting mom living in Boca Raton/Parkland area, whether you choose a Midwife or an OBGYN, whether you choose to give birth at West Boca Medical Center, Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Broward Health Coral Springs, Northwest Medical Center / HCA Florida Northwest Hospital or another Labor and Delivery Unit in South Florida, don't forget to include the invaluable addition of Your On-Call Birth Photographer in your plans.

Your Birth Photographer will capture your powerful journey to meeting your baby, together with your spouse/partner, creating a visual Birth Photography Story in a modest and beautiful way that will be cherished by your family for generations.

So, whether it's the first grandchild or a new sibling for older children, consider the magic that your skilled Birth Photographer can add to your South Florida birth experience.

Growing Your Family in Boca Raton: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Having Siblings

Expanding Your Family in Boca Raton: Sibling Bonds, Solo Journeys, and the Unpredictability of Fertility

The decision to grow your family is a deeply personal one, filled with both excitement and thoughtful contemplation. For many parents, the question of whether to have one child or multiple children is a significant one. In this blog post, we'll delve into the pros and cons of having siblings versus raising an only child, with a special focus on the realities of family planning in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida.

The Magic of Siblings: Lifelong Companionship & Shared Adventures

Imagine a world where your child has a built-in best friend, a partner in crime, and a confidante for life. Siblings often share a unique and enduring bond, creating a treasure trove of memories and a support system that lasts a lifetime.

Benefits of Having Siblings:

• Social Skills & Cooperation: Navigating the dynamics of sibling relationships fosters essential social skills, teaching children how to communicate, compromise, and resolve conflicts.

• Shared Experiences & Memories: From inside jokes to family traditions, siblings create a tapestry of shared experiences that weave a unique bond.

• Emotional Support System: Siblings offer a sense of belonging and a built-in support network, providing comfort and encouragement throughout life's ups and downs.

• Learning & Growth: Through their interactions, siblings learn invaluable life lessons about empathy, sharing, and responsibility.

The Perks of an Only Child: Undivided Attention & Unique Opportunities

Raising an only child offers a different, but equally rewarding, path to parenthood. With no siblings to share the spotlight, an only child often receives undivided attention and resources from their parents, fostering a strong sense of self and unique opportunities for growth.

Advantages of Having an Only Child:

• Focused Nurturing: Parents can dedicate more time, energy, and resources to an only child's individual needs and aspirations.

• Deep Parent-Child Bond: The close-knit relationship between an only child and their parents can create a profound sense of security and love.

• Independence & Self-Reliance: Without siblings to rely on, only children often develop greater independence and self-sufficiency.

• No Sibling Rivalry: An only child avoids the potential conflicts and comparisons that can arise between siblings.

When Life Takes Unexpected Turns: Fertility Challenges

While we carefully weigh the pros and cons of family size, it's crucial to acknowledge that fertility challenges can alter our plans. The path to parenthood may involve unexpected twists and turns, requiring flexibility and resilience.

Boca Raton Birth Photography: Documenting Your Family's Story

No matter the size or composition of your family, your journey is unique and beautiful. As a dedicated birth photographer in Boca Raton, I'm passionate about capturing these precious moments. From maternity and birth to newborn and family sessions, I'll create a visual legacy that celebrates your love and joy.

Photographing Your Baby's First Footprints at Boca Raton Hospitals

Birthing your baby at a Boca Raton Hospital Labor and Delivery unit with your OBGYN or Midwife and Doula is a momentous occasion you don’t want to miss photographing as it’s filled with joy, excitement, and an abundance of emotions for not only moms but also dads and partners, spouses, significant others and grandparents, even aunts and uncles and cousins! Birth is truly a family affair in the modern day and age.

One of the most cherished traditions during the early hours of a newborn baby's life is the creation of their first footprints and taking photos of this moment.

In Boca Raton hospitals, this practice is not only a sentimental gesture but also an opportunity to create lasting memories that can be beautifully captured through newborn photography.

Why Photograph Your Baby's Footprints?

The act of photographing your baby's footprints holds immense significance, serving as a tangible reminder of the miraculous journey into parenthood. As a birth photographer in Boca Raton, I have witnessed the profound impact that preserving these moments can have on families. Here's why it's essential:

Memorializing Milestones: For parents who have experienced prior losses, welcoming a rainbow baby brings both joy and healing. Capturing the footprints with a custom rainbow ink pad, available on platforms like Etsy, symbolizes hope, resilience, and the unique journey of each child.

Gender Celebrations: Whether you're expecting a baby girl or boy, customizing the footprint colors adds a personal touch to your baby's first moments. Pink and blue ink pads can be used to symbolize the gender, providing a visually captivating element to your birth story.

Involving Labor and Delivery Nurses: Boca Raton hospitals (whether you are working with an OBGYN obstetrician or a CNM Midwife are known for their compassionate and skilled labor and delivery nurses. They are often more than willing to assist in creating these special footprints using the ink pad you bring from home. The collaborative effort enhances the bonding experience and creates a sense of community.

Creating Lasting Memories: As a birth photographer, I specialize in capturing these intimate moments. From the delicate touch of tiny feet to the joyous expressions of parents, these photographs become timeless treasures that can be cherished for generations.

Custom Footprint Colors on Etsy:

Etsy, a popular online marketplace for handmade and custom items, offers a plethora of options when it comes to ink pads for baby footprints. Whether you prefer a rainbow ink pad to celebrate a rainbow baby, or specific colors for gender reveals, Etsy provides a variety of choices to suit your preferences.

Working with Boca Raton Hospitals (whether you hire an OB/GYN Obstetrician or CNM Midwife):

Boca Raton hospitals (whether you are using an OBGYN Obstetrician for your upcoming birth or a CNM Certified Nurse Midwife) understand the significance of these moments and the desire to personalize the birth experience. Labor and delivery nurses are generally supportive and accommodating, making it easier for parents to bring in their chosen ink pads and include this heartfelt ritual in their birth plan.

Photographing your baby's first footprints is a heartwarming way to commemorate the beginning of a new chapter in your family's life. With the support of Boca Raton hospitals (whether you are using an OBGYN for your newborn baby’s birth or if you are workin with a Midwife and a Doula) and the availability of custom ink pads on Etsy, you can add a unique and personal touch to this cherished tradition. As a birth photographer, I am dedicated to capturing these precious moments, ensuring that your baby's journey into the world is preserved in a series of beautiful and timeless photographs.

World of Breast Pumps: A Guide for South Florida Expectant Moms Booking Newborn Photographers

As you embark on the exciting journey of booking a newborn photographer photographer, you may find yourself contemplating the age-old question of breastfeeding versus formula feeding. Why? As with every newborn photography session, it’s different from family sessions with older children or even maternity sessions. During a newborn photo session (whether in studio or in your home), there are a LOT of breaks. Breaks for diaper changes and blow outs, breaks for spit up and outfit changes. Breaks for burping. But one of the most significant breaks we take during newborn photoshoots with my clients in Boca Raton are breaks for feeding your newborn baby. As you are envisioning your upcoming newborn session, you may wonder what we will do when its time to feed a hungry baby, or even soothe a fussy baby.

Some moms will breastfeed and other moms will bottle feed (whether pumped milk or formula) and some moms will also try to soothe their fussy newborn baby with a pacifier. But regardless of all our efforts to keep baby calm and cozy during your newborn session, every baby will need to be fed at some point.

The prospect of finding the perfect breast pump can add another layer of complexity (and sometimes stress) to your pre-baby to-do list.

We'll explore the nuances of breast pumps, comparing the traditional reliability of Medela with the freedom offered by newer wireless options such as Elvie Hands Free Breast Pump. We'll also delve into the timing of contacting your insurance company to secure a breast pump and make the entire process as seamless as possible.

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

Before diving into the world of breast pumps, it's essential to consider your feeding choice. Whether you opt for breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, or a combination of both, the decision is deeply personal and should be based on what works best for you and your baby. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Also remember, your choices now may change once baby is here, or even during your first year after baby’s birth, and it’s absolutely OK to allow ourselves the permission to change our minds and our feeding plan multiple times.

Breast Pumps: Medela vs. Wireless Freedom

Medela, a trusted name in the world of breast pumps, has long been known for its quality and reliability. Their pumps are efficient and widely used by new moms. However, recent advancements in technology have given rise to wireless, hands-free breast pumps that offer a new level of convenience. Elvie Stride, Momcozy S12 Pro Wearable Breast pump, Elvie electric breast pump, Willow 3.0, Baby Buddha Single or Double Portable Breast pump, and Willow Go are currently among some of the top brands currently in the running for TOP 6 RECOMMENDED BREASTPUMPS FOR 2023 with reviews that touch on their light weight options, capacity for oversupply, easy to use and clean, hospital grade power, battery life, cost - whether expensive or affordable, ability to use while multitasking, needing bags, warranty, compatible app store app, small and discreet or bulky, require tubbing, etc.

Brands like Elvie, Willow, and Freemie have introduced wireless pumps that allow you to move around and multitask while pumping. This is especially appealing for moms who want to reclaim some flexibility in their daily routines. The decision between Medela and wireless pumps ultimately comes down to personal preferences, lifestyle, and your comfort with embracing newer technologies.

Timing is Everything: Contacting Your Insurance Company

If you're considering obtaining a breast pump through your insurance, it's crucial to start the process early in your pregnancy. Aim to contact your insurance company during the second trimester, around weeks 20-24. This ensures you have ample time to navigate any specific requirements, receive approval, and order the breast pump before your due date.

Remember to gather the necessary documentation, including a prescription from your healthcare provider. Each insurance company may have its own policies and preferred suppliers, so thorough research will help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

As you plan for the arrival of your little one and consider booking a newborn photographer, the choice between breastfeeding and formula feeding, as well as selecting the right breast pump, is a significant decision. Whether you opt for the reliability of Medela or the convenience of wireless options, the key is to prioritize what aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. Contacting your insurance company early in your pregnancy will ensure a smooth process, allowing you to focus on the joyous moments that lie ahead. Happy pumping and photographing!

What is the Difference between an Epidural and a Spinal in Labor and Delivery Boca Raton Hospital?

Epidurals vs. Spinals: A Boca Raton Birth Photographer's Insider Scoop

Questions to Ask your OBGYN/Midwife during first/second and third trimesters (clickable link)

As a birth photographer in Boca Raton, I've had the privilege of witnessing countless mothers navigate the incredible journey of childbirth. Over the past 9 years and 200+ births, I've seen firsthand the diverse choices women make for pain management, including epidurals and spinals.

While most epidurals I've witnessed involve an Anesthesiologist entering the labor and delivery room and asking everyone but the birthing mother to leave, some allow the spouse/partner to stay. Lately, in 2024, I’ve had the opportunity to stay for several epidural administration procedures along with my birth photography client’s birth doula. Occasionally, my birth photography client’s doula will even be able to hold/hug my client while the Anesthesiologist does the epidural procedure, especially here in Boca Raton. Every birth photography client I’ve witnessed receive an epidural, I have noticed the effects have ranged vastly from woman to woman, and even from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman. Epidurals, from every birth I have attended, are not intended to act like a spinal tap, completely numbing the lower half of your body where you literally cannot move your legs at all. Instead, with an epidural, you should still have some movement of your legs, though depending on how powerfully it affects you, it is possible to be more numb.

Though in nearly every case of spinal taps, every single spinal tap procedure I have seen has been my birth photography client going into the operating room, and once me and her spouse/partner are allowed to enter the operating room following the spinal tap procedure, every mother is completely numb nearly instantly following the spinal tap. Clearly I have witnessed spinal taps to provide a much more powerful effect, which would make me think spinal taps would not work for a vaginal delivery as all my clients have lost full mobility of their legs while the spinal tap is in effect, but those are just my observations.

I have heard over and over the same words at the start of each of my birth photography clients c-sections:

“You should not feel pain and you should not feel temperature (hot or cold) but you can still feel the sensation of pressure, though it should not hurt.”

Below are some guidelines of differences I have observed over time between an epidural and a spinal tap, based off information available online, as well as insights of my own experiences. Please note, obviously I am not a doctor nor a medical expert. Reading my blog should not be taken as medical advice. This blog serves only to share what I have observed over the years as a birth photographer and mother who had two c-sections with two spinal taps myself and you should always speak to your own medical care provider before making any medical decisions in your life.

Key Differences between Epidurals and Spinals and getting them:

Epidurals: The Procedure from Start to Finish:

When my birth photography client feels ready for an epidural, she first needs to receive two bags of fluids. I observed the information that the medication in epidurals (commonly fentanyl but I hear that in some hospitals they use sufentanil) can make your blood pressure drop, hence the fluids help to raise your blood pressure enough to counteract this. So knowing that you’ll need two bags of fluids, you’ll want to time asking for an epidural correctly. If you wait too long, your pain level may be so high it can make staying still to get an epidural harder for you (I am not sure what would happen if you just can’t stay still, would general anesthesia be required? I’ve never seen this situation occur so I just can't speak to it, only speculate) but even more so, if you wait too long, your pain level can become exorbitant and then you will have to feel that way until the entire process is complete.

Once she’s received the two bags of IV fluids, the Anesthesiologist will come into the labor and delivery room, wheeling a medical ‘cart’ with several drawers into the room, and begin the procedure.

Before the Anesthesiologist begins, the mother in labor needs to be sitting in an upright position, off the side of the labor and delivery hospital bed, with her feet hanging off the bed, holding a pillow to her chest and belly and curling around the pillow, creating a circular shape of her spine to provide more room for the Anesthesiologist to access her spinal cord for the procedure. Now this being said, during a delivery in 2024, I observed an Anesthesiologist permit my birth photography client in Boca Raton continue to lay horizontal on her side while the Anesthesiologist seamlessly administered the entire epidural procedure flawlessly, without the need of her sitting in an upright position. I have never seen this done before, it amazed me, and the epidural proved beautifully functional and effective for my client! It did make me wonder why more Anesthesiologists do not offer this as an option, as women in labor would be far more comfortable receiving an epidural in this position. I wondered whether it is a lack of experience administering it in this position or a lack of desire to have to work around a laboring woman, in the masculine-world-mentality of you need to come to me. I do not know the answer at this time. If I encounter this Anesthesiologist in the future, I will be sure to ask, and I will ask if I can photograph a horizontal epidural administration. Received permission to photograph is so important to me.

To administer the epidural or spinal, local anesthetics are used to numb the area, blocking pain signals so the Anesthesiologist can later go in with a very tiny catheter tube that will be the delivery system to you for the medication that will provide you with pain relief. I’ve read that the local anesthetic is administered with smaller needles and the medication is often bupivacain, lidocaine or ropivacaine.

I’ve read that other medications such as epinephrine can help prolong the epidural’s effect while clonidine can help manage blood pressure, but I have not observed either medication administered in my years as a birth photographer in south Florida (maybe I did not notice, especially if they were not formally announced, as often unless the patient asks for specific drug names to be told to them, they usually are not named in my experience).

Majority of the time, my Birth Photography clients delivering in a labor and delivery room will receive an epidural. Sometimes, when the epidural is not effective enough to provide enough relief to my client, I have had a handful of clients need to get their epidural redone (the entire process), and some of my clients get a “top off” of medicine (also referred to as a bolus), but I’ve never had a client who ends up having a vaginal delivery have to get a spinal tap. So I can’t speak to whether it is possible to do that.

Once my client has received the epidural, I’ve heard every Anesthesiologist mention a somewhat different time frame as to when the epidural’s full effects will be felt by the patient. Some have said 10 to 15 minutes, others have said 30 minutes or more. I don’t know if the difference is due to provider approach or the type of medication used, but knowing this answer could vary may help you mentally prepare to give yourself more time before you feel relief.

Spinals and How the Procedure Differs from Epidurals:

For spinals (also known as spinal blocks or spinal anesthesia) and c-sections, the procedure takes place in the operating room, with the anesthesiologist typically positioned behind the mother.

In my experience, spinals tend to result in near-instantaneous numbness, (while the effects of epidurals can vary significantly from woman to woman, and even from one pregnancy to another. Epidurals aren't meant to completely numb the lower body like a spinal, but they can offer substantial pain relief.)

During a Spinal, the mother is usually sitting on the operating room bed facing the door where the window is, all you can see is the Anesthesiologist standing behind her during the administration procedure, so I am not actually sure how different it will appear from the epidural photo I captured you can see below.

With my C-Section birth photography clients delivering in the operating room, majority of the time they get a spinal tap once they enter the operating room, with the exception of clients who already had a good epidural (strong enough for surgery) in place prior to going into the operating room for their c-section, such as a client who was planning a vaginal delivery in a labor and delivery room but unexpectedly needed to go to the operating room to have a c-section.

Important to Remember:

Epidural and spinal taps are both medical procedures involving the administration of anesthesia or pain relief by an Anesthesiologist, but they have distinct differences in their administration, purpose, and effects.

Epidural:

1. Administration:

   • Location: The epidural space, which is outside the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord.

   • Catheter: A catheter is often placed in the epidural space to continuously administer medication.

2. Purpose:

   • Pain Relief: Epidurals are commonly used for pain relief during labor and delivery, surgery, or certain medical conditions causing chronic pain. (Alternatives: Nitrous Oxide Therapy During Childbirth)

3. Effects:

   • Area of Effect: Epidurals provide pain relief to a broader area of the body, such as the lower abdomen and pelvic region.

4. Duration:

   • Duration of Action: Epidurals can be used for extended periods, providing continuous pain relief if needed.

Spinal Tap (Spinal Block):

1. Administration:

   • Location: The spinal canal, directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.

2. Purpose:

   • Anesthesia: Spinal taps are primarily used for surgical anesthesia or specific medical procedures requiring lower body numbness.

3. Effects:

   • Area of Effect: Spinal taps provide a more localized and intense form of anesthesia. They affect a smaller, specific area, leading to more profound numbness.

4. Duration:

   • Duration of Action: Spinal taps are often used for shorter durations compared to epidurals, making them suitable for procedures with a quicker timeframe.

Key Differences between an Epidural and a Spinal Tap / Spinal Block

1. Site of Administration: The primary distinction lies in the location where the medication is injected. Epidurals are administered in the epidural space outside the spinal cord's membrane, while spinal taps are directly injected into the cerebrospinal fluid within the spinal canal.

2. Area of Effect: Epidurals provide a wider area of pain relief, making them suitable for procedures or conditions that require a broader coverage. Spinal taps, on the other hand, offer a more localized and intense form of anesthesia.

3. Catheter Use: Epidurals often involve the placement of a catheter for continuous administration, allowing for prolonged pain relief. Spinal taps typically involve a single injection for a specific procedure or surgery.

In summary, while both epidurals and spinal taps involve the administration of anesthesia or pain relief in the spinal region, the choice between them depends on the medical context, the required duration of action, and the specific area of the body that needs to be affected.

As a gentle reminder, I do not provide and do not promise any medical advice nor medical assistance and this is information easily accessible on google to anyone who searches. Any information written on my blog as a non-professional and no-medical advice capacity and assumes no responsibility for the choices a person makes with regards to their pregnancy, labor, birth, baby and/or post partum.

Other Questions to ask your OBGYN during your third trimester before you give birth

If you are planning to discuss epidurals and spinal taps with your OBGYN or Certified Nurse Midwife, here is a list of other questions worth asking during your first, second and third trimester to be sure your OBGYN / Midwife’s plan for your birth is in-line with what you feel comfortable with as well as what your and your spouse/partner’s preferences for you and your baby may be, link is clickable:

Questions to Ask OBGYN/Midwife during initial consultation (clickable link)

(these are a list of questions to ask when you are interviewing various doctors and midwives and practices to choose who will be your delivery team)

Questions to Ask your OBGYN/Midwife during first/second and third trimesters (clickable link)

(these are a list of questions to ask when you are already working with a specific doctor or midwife during your pregnancy)

Obviously I am not a doctor nor a medical expert. Reading my blog should not be taken as medical advice. This blog serves only to share what I have observed over the years as a birth photographer and mother who had two c-sections with two spinal taps myself and you should always speak to your own medical care provider before making any medical decisions in your life.