Birth of Kennedy
When Aryn and Kelly first reached out to me about being their birth doula and photographer I felt an instant connection and was so excited to work with them during the pregnancy and birth of their first child. As we worked together to prepare for the upcoming birth they navigated some extra pregnancy related challenges and found themselves looking at a 39 week induction at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. Inductions don’t always go as smoothly as we would hope and when a lack of progress and signs of distress in baby Kennedy presented after about 36 hours, the decision to have a cesarean birth was made.
Thankfully I was able to accompany them back into the OR to document the moment that Kennedy was born and first met her moms. Plus all the weighing and measuring and first moments of connection as a family of three. Despite the change of plans this was such a beautiful and joyful birth. Even when your birth plan changes you can still feel empowered, supported and have these important life-changing moments documented.
Birth of Ari at Seasons Community Birth Center
Independent birth centers can be a great option for those looking for an alternative to hospital birth. Seasons Community Birth Center is a much loved birth center in the Denver area. Mikayla reached out looking for a doula and photographer for the birth of her second child, you can read her birth story below!
“As a pediatric nurse, I had my first baby in a hospital. I was admitted after premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and induced with Pitocin shortly after. I endured a long labor with several complications that nearly ended in a C-Section. It was not what I had expected or wanted for my birth story, which is why when I became pregnant again, I started looking into midwifery care. I found Seasons Community Birth Center and knew immediately it was where I wanted to be. As a nurse I was nervous about the safety of delivering outside a hospital, but my concerns were quickly and carefully attended to by the experts there. The birth center staff advocates for every patient to have a doula, which is when I found Jess Dory—my doula and birth photographer!
This pregnancy again resulted in early rupture of membranes, but we were luckily able to get contractions going soon enough. I was in contact with Jess the whole day, and she met us at the birth center around 6:30 pm, just as contractions started ramping up. My husband Caleb connected his phone to the speaker to play the playlist we had built together for the birth. We also brought a metronome app which was useful for me to concentrate on during the early contractions. I was able to labor in a beautiful room and took advantage of all the options for pain management that Seasons had to offer. I started immediately in a hot bath, followed by the TENS unit, Rebozo support with my midwife Valorie, and eventually moving to nitrous oxide when the contractions got very intense. I was allowed to labor in any position or part of the room that was most comfortable for me at the time, which was so very different from my first birthing experience!
Caleb and I were able to have a short facetime a few hours in with our 5 year old daughter who was at Grandma’s house anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new brother. Jess was also at my side attending to my every need—reminding me of the coping techniques we had talked about, as well as getting me ice/water and honey to keep my energy up. I was so grateful that she was able to help find me things I needed while Caleb could keep close by and hold my hand.
My son Ari was born at 12:04 AM and we were immediately in love. We were given ample time during the golden hour to rest, snuggle, and enjoy our new bundle of joy. Jess gave us our space but made sure we knew she was close by. When staff got caught up in another birth shortly after mine, Jess stayed later than expected to make sure she could capture Ari’s first exam, weighing, and the first time he latched at my breast.
I am forever grateful for the birth experience I got from Seasons Community Birth Center—for the way they advocated for me when it felt like nobody else would—and for encouraging me to find Jess. Jess was so more than an extra person at my bedside when I was at my most vulnerable. She was a voice of reason when times were tough, an advocate to help keep me safe, and the photos she captured were absolutely beautiful (they bring tears to my eyes often). Jess and I keep in touch even now, and I feel I have gained a friend. If I were to bring another life into this world, there is no other way I would choose to do it!”
Why Birth Photography?
When my first child was born in 2006 my husband snapped a few photos of me in labor and a few after my son was born, and I treasure these dearly.
When I became pregnant with my daughter in 2016 after a struggle with fertility and loss, I knew wanted professional newborn photography. In my search for a photographer I ended up being introduced to birth photography and I am forever grateful that it appeared in my life. Truly life changing.
Every year on my daughter’s birthday we get out the book of birth photos and we look and I am instantly transported to one of the very best days of my life. This book brings back all the feels. My daughter is almost 7 and she loves looking too - it’s become a ritual as she has grown. Someday the book will belong to her and I know she will treasure it always.
If you are considering birth photography but not sure if it’s for you, we get it. However, we are also birth photography’s biggest fans and supporters. We believe it is always a great idea! Here are a few thoughts around some common concerns:
I’m not sure if I want another person around when I am in such a vulnerable position.
As trained doulas and professional birth photographers, we are extremely intentional about the way we move around and communicate as we work, we have so much respect for your birth space.
We are there to support you, and a lot of the time you honestly may not even notice us - the work of bringing a baby into the world is challenging and often all consuming. I found that during my own labor I was barely aware of being photographed at all.
We have also all had our births documented, so we know first hand what this experience entails.
I’m not sure I want everything documented.
Your birth, your choice. We want to document your complete story, but respect your comfort levels and we make sure to find out what those are. We love documenting the way your partner supports you in labor, all the small details about the day and place that your child came into the world, and of course the very first moment you meet your baby because it is truly like no other moment ever.
Your photos belong to you. We never share any images without full consent and a signed model release.
It’s expensive.
Hiring a Professional Photographer for any occasion or life event is an investment. It’s art, it’s memories. It’s also a great thing to add to your baby registry! Believe me when I say you will never regret your investment in documenting the birth of your child.
My partner isn’t sure they want it.
Having your birth documented allows your partner the ability to focus on you and on their own experience of welcoming the baby. Being “in the moment” at the birth of your child is the only place you both should be. Allowing a professional to document these incredible moments for you is truly the best gift you can give to your future self and your children.
Any Other questions or Concerns?
Send us an e-mail, we would love to connect.
Birth of Adelaide Skye
Birth of Adelaide
Documenting the birth of Adelaide was very special to me. Her mom Shannon and I have been friends with each other since we were teenagers in the suburbs of Denver. Shannon and her husband Charles asked me to work with them to document their journey, including pregnancy, birth and newborn photos as well as utilizing doula services.
One of my favorite parts of working in birth work is getting to go on this journey with clients and the long term relationships that develop or deepen. Offering support and documenting their story was truly wonderful.
As is quite common for many parents, Shannon did not become pregnant until that lovely window of time when one is considered to be of Advanced Maternal Age. She decided to schedule a 39 week induction as had been recommended by her OB’s and the date was set.
Shannon and Charles went in to St Joe’s to start the induction on a Sunday evening and they kept me updated throughout the next morning. After laboring all morning through strong contractions without medication they decided to start an epidural so Shannon could get some rest. I joined them later that afternoon right after she had reached 6 cm and they decided it was time to break her water. As I came in and checked in with them, Shannon & Charles were so sweet with each other and their love and Charles’ support for Shannon was lovely to witness. Charles hung Adelaide’s jammies on the closet where Shannon could see them and use them as a place to focus her intention.
Dilation progressed smoothly, and before we knew it, it was time to push. Shannon made amazingly short work of the pushing process and soon we could see Adelaide’s head! A few more pushes and she was on her mom’s chest as dad stood close. Adelaide needed a little bit of oxygen to get going and the team at St. Joe’s knew what to do. Not too much later, Adelaide was returned to Shannon’s arms and worked at a first latch. Proud grandparents and an auntie made it in just before the end of visiting hours and then finally the very tired but happy new parents headed for the room where they would spend a few nights with their new daughter.
I followed up with them over the next few weeks and had a chance to document Adelaide’s adjustment to her new life and Shannon and Charles as they navigated this new wonderful world of parenthood.
Second time labor, unmedicated at St. Joe’s
Unmedicated second time labor at St. Joe’s
Carol reached out to me about documenting the upcoming arrival of her baby. We chatted on the phone and had an immediate connection as we talked about her birth plan. She let me know that her partner as well as her mother who was visiting from Brazil would be supporting her at her birth. This would be her second time in labor.
Carol had chosen to give birth at St. Joes Hospital in Denver, and her plan was to have an unmedicated birth if possible.
Carol let me know around 10 am that morning that labor had started and she labored at home until about 5 pm. When I met them shortly after they arrived at the hospital they were still being admitted in triage. Labor was picking back up as they relocated and got settled in their room. As soon as she could she got into a warm bath where it was nearly dark except for the warm glow of the LED candles. Her music playlist, the darkness and the water seemed to help as she headed towards transition.
Once it was time to push Carol made her way back out to the bed and within minutes baby’s head came quickly. She reached down with her hand to feel the head as she pushed her baby out and he was born at 9:46 pm.
After snuggling for a few moments and waiting to let the cord stop pulsing as she had requested, baby was turned over, Grandma cut the cord and they realized they had a son! So much joy!
