Early morning at the birth center, Philadelphia Birth Photographer
Earlier in the week, Allison had been feeling pretty regular Braxton Hicks contractions. We kept in touch trying to assess whether they were turning into the real deal, but they eventually faded. Saturday evening we checked in again. The midwives at the birth center had given her a membrane sweep that day, and though she was having some contractions, some signs of dilation, nothing major seemed to be happening yet. And the best thing to do when nothing is really happening yet is to get some rest. So we said goodnight and that my phone would be on if anything changed.
Early Sunday morning around 330am I got a message from Allison that contractions were peaking faster, she was losing lots of mucous, she was crampy, but that she was going to time a few more before deciding whether to head to the birth center. By 345am they were packing up to go, and I was right behind them. When I arrived, Ray and Allison were still laughing and relatively relaxed. Their lovely midwife came in to check on them and then gave them space to settle in to labor.
About an hour later, Allison had shifted into deep concentration during her contractions. Ray was ever present by her side, helping her stay calm in between waves, and supporting her with so much strength and love as each wave grew stronger. Her instincts to bear down had started to kick in, and she moved onto the bed to lean into Ray and begin bringing her baby out. The midwife and nurse stood by, with the sort of quiet presence and gentle support that I have seen so many times during births at the Bryn Mawr birth center, Lifecycle Womancare. Just after 630am, hands clasped in her husband's, Allison delivered their beautiful baby boy.
Tears were flowing, and there was a lot of "oh my goodness we just had a baby!" type sentiments. The cord was cut, baby had his first breastfeed, some good skin to skin time with both mom and dad, and their family friend set off for the birth center with their two older girls. The big sisters were all wide eyes and big smiles as they came in and saw mommy and their new baby brother. Their oldest was 7, and the perfect age to take in everything that had just happened. She stayed by mom's side, marvelling at her little brother, and keeping close watch as he was examined by the nurse. Their newly middle daughter was 3, and acted as a perfectly 3 year old would: totally amazed for a few minutes, and then moved on to having fun rolling around on the bed. It was the perfect picture of a new family of 5.
Eventually the big sisters went home and mom and dad settled in for a rest. I took my leave, grabbing one more shot of the beautiful day their son had been born and knowing one more little flag was soon going to be hung outside the birth center.
