Winston-Salem Cesarean Birth

I’m so excited to tell the story of this beautiful cesarean birth! Sweet Meridith reached out to me just a little over a month before her due date. Her mom was the one who encouraged her to consider a birth photographer. I love that she understood the importance of these photos and encouraged her daughter to prioritize it! I often hear that first time moms regret not hiring a birth photographer. They don’t realize how much they’ll want those images until after baby is here. So, needless to say, I was ecstatic to meet Meridith and her sweet mom to discuss all of it and get her on my on-call calendar!

Meridith’s due date (Halloween) came and went and there started to be some talk of induction by her OBGYN. I was so proud of her for taking time to consider all of her options and remembering that this was her baby and her birth, which meant she could decline a medically-unnecessary induction.

Active Labor

She pushed the induction a few days to see if baby would come on his own. It’s a good thing she did because labor started all on it’s own before the scheduled induction date! In the early morning of November 8th, I got the text that Meridith was in active labor and I should head over!

She received an epidural and was resting in bed when I arrived. The atmosphere in the delivery room was laid back and exciting as everyone knew boy would be here soon! Funny sidenote, her OB and her father could have been twins – like it was crazy! So that made for some good laughs – I loved the atmosphere in this labor room! Sweet Baby Whitaker would soon be welcomed into a fun family!

I wasn’t there long before baby’s heart rate started to drop. Meridith’s OB came into to tell her that they weren’t quite at the point of needing a cesarean but would be monitoring baby closely and it may come to that. I think everyone was grateful for him taking the time to explain what was happening before it was actually an emergency. The nurses set Meridith up with an oxygen mask hoping this would help baby to stabilize. After a little while, nothing changed so the decision was made to get mom and baby into the OR for a c-section.

Meridith’s mother had already advocated for me to be allowed into the OR before the final decision was made – I’m so grateful for this! The amazing nurse made it happen and I’m so glad I was able to document this entire birth story!!

SIDENOTE: It’s important for my clients to be the one to request I be allowed into an OR. The basic understanding is that a birth photographer is at the bottom of the “totem pole” when it comes to a delivery room. Midwives, OBs, nurses, medical staff, and doulas are higher up on the pole and I take that very seriously. I always try to have the conversation with my clients that if they do need a c-section, they have to be the ones to ask if I can come. My wishes basically mean nothing to the medical staff. Mom’s wishes, however, should be very important to them!

Rhys is Here!

Ok back to the story :) Meridith was wheeled in first while Will and I waited anxiously outside the OR. Will was allowed in shortly after (although I think he might say it felt like a lifetime being separated from his wife and baby) and I was allowed in as soon as baby was born! It was sweet and emotional and baby Rhys came out healthy and crying! I’ll never forget having the honor of capturing this birth!

Rhys Green Whitaker | Born on November 8, 2017 at 7:15am

6 pounds 14 ounces | 20 inches long

This new mom and dad were just so happy to finally have their boy in their arms. The tears were streaming (on my end, too) and it was all just so beautiful. The long wait was over!

Fresh48

After mom and baby were all settled, Meridith was moved to her recovery room and her family got to meet sweet Rhys (and learn his name for the first time!). We decided that everyone needed some rest so I headed home. I was excited to come back the next day for some Fresh48 photos.

Sweet baby boy, you are so loved. It was such an honor to document the day you were born. I hope you always know how special you are!

For more birth stories, click HERE. To inquire about having your birth story photographed, click HERE.