The birth of baby Isaac.
Where do I begin? I was so excited when my friend Marissa reached out, wanting the birth of baby #7 captured. She was having her 2nd home birth and wanted it documented this time around. It is always such a joy and honor to be chosen to be a part of clients birth stories. It's truly so sacred to me.
I had just fallen asleep around 11:30pm Friday evening and 5 minutes later my phone rang and I saw it was Marissa. I knew right then it was time because why else would she be calling me this late? I could sense a bit of stress and panic in her voice when she told me her water broke. Her hubby had gone to the gym and she was just a bit frazzled that he wasn't home and her water broke. I reassured her he will be home soon and that I was coming now and everything was going to be great!
Typically I do not go to my births that fast, but with Marissa's history of not really feeling her contractions intensely, her last birth happening in 5 hours and her last baby coming out in minutes, I felt I should go.
Well (spoiler alert!), joke's on me because sweet baby boy didn't come for another 28 hours, early Sunday morning! I stayed the whole time, only leaving for tacos at one point (don't judge) as did her entire birth team. I didn't know any of these ladies when I arrived but we were all best friends by time this little one came (hey girls heyyyy!)
After the 24 hour mark with not too much happening, baby's heart rate was dippin' and they felt it was now or never. Marissa was only dilated to 5 so they decided to call an ambulance to transfer her, but everyone was very calm.
I sped to UofM hospital at 2am and beat the ambulance (what can I say, I'm committed to my birth clients lol). Marissa seemed surprised to see me and later told me she didn't know if I would still come to the hospital. Psh, girl, I wasn't going anywhere, of course I would see this birth through!
Marissa was checked, baby was doing just fine, and within just a couple hours of being at the hospital and a few pushes, baby was HERE! No interventions from the hospital, no pain meds, she did it all on her own! After this long labor, delivery was so speedy and we were all so happy and excited he was finally here!
Kyle was a complete rockstar for Marissa from beginning to end. From feeding her, bringing her water, blowing up the birthing pool, massaging her feet, riding with her in the ambulance, helping care for the kids, he was truly an incredible husband and support to her, and I loved witnessing and documenting it all.
Also, I just have to say how impressed I was that both her home birth team and the hospital team were AMAZING. Everyone had respect for each other, and at the end of a very long labor, they all came together for one goal! Healthy baby, healthy mama! And that's exactly how it ended!
Congratulations guys on the birth of your sweet baby boy! Thank you for trusting me to be there, I hope you love your photos and I'm secretly hoping this isn't the last time. h (Too soon??)
