Raleigh NC Birth Photography | Hospital BirthAbout a month before I my due date with Fiona, Jennifer sent me an inquiry. She KNEW she wanted a birth photographer and wanted to get a deposit down before I had my own baby, and then we would set up a time to meet after I was back from maternity leave. For me, I am a more well balanced woman when I get the opportunity to sneak away from my responsibilities as a mom; and consultations are a perfect way to get a little mental break. Plus, talking about birth is one of my favorite things! When I was messaging with Jen, I suggested Chipotle for a spot and her and her wife loved the idea – another favorite of mine! Fast forward to February, and Jen was diagnosed with preeclampsia and headed in for an induction. They started with a Foley Bulb and it did the job and things were well on the way Thursday morning. Once mom’s water broke things picked up. After picking my middle up from preschool, I got him and my daughter  settled and made my way to WakeMed Cary. When I arrived, Jennifer was in the tub and Felicia was by her side. Wireless monitoring is useful in allowing moms movement and the ability to use the tub and shower. Jen was handling the contractions beautifully and found comfort in her wife, Felicia and her doula, Melissa Bailey of Peace and Serenity. The intensity grew and mom asked for Nitrous gas as she waited for the Anesthesiologist to come place her epidural. This can be a really useful tool for laboring woman. The images from this point in her birth are so supportive, the many hands laid on her and love surrounding her was so strong. A little side note – while Grandma, Auntie and Felicia and I were downstairs grabbing a quick dinner, my best friend Julie messaged me; congratulating me for receiving an Honorable Mention on my of my photo submissions. I wanted to scream it from the rooftops, but just being with a laboring mom and being in my happy place was the perfect place to hear this news! Once we got back to the room, it was about time to push! Felicia waited next to the midwife to catch their daughter; her smile was infectious as she gently lifted Merritt up to Jen's chest. My favorite photo is the one where Felicia is watching Jennifer’s face as she reaches down to grab their daughter. As the nurse and midwife switched out a blanket for a new one, her midwife, April, noticed something on the baby. The penny that they had placed on the tokar had found its way onto the baby. For Jennifer, this was a wink from her dad in heaven; as pennies hold very special meaning to her. Jen better explains below...

“My Dad used to leave pennies in the most random places for me to find and I have found them in places you can’t explain since he passed. On TOP of my car, a PILE in the parking lot at the college I ended up choosing, in the dressing room the day I found my wedding dress, the ground was covered in them at the alter when Felicia and I got married, etc. It was just a small way for him to show me he was with me; pennies from heaven.”