This birth session was like no other. It may because I’ve shifted my views on how I should be shooting altogether or because I can now connect more than ever to my work. I used to believe that while at the hospital, I had to “fix” the lighting situation; the truth is, that for the most part, hospital’s suck in this department. I wanted to capture the day as real as possible. Birth session = real. Grainy, dark and absolutely perfect. It was regular Saturday ( which is practically a first, I NEVER have birth sessions conveniently scheduled during the weekend ) and I had just come home from a baby shower. Go figure. I got a call from the dad-to-be that they were in the hospital for her 2-day check up and they were going to keep her there to induce her labor. Folks, she was already 1o days past due. I’m here thinking, FINALLY! I’m sure that’s what we were all thinking. Why am I even saying this, well because Susy is my front door neighbor and we’re practically like family. Seeing her pregnant everyday had me feeling all sorts of excited. I grabbed all my stuff and changed into my scrubs ( the most comfortable and pocket-handy item of clothing I own ) ( no, I’m not trying to be a nurse ) ( yes, they do feel like PJ’s and it’s my perfect excuse for wearing them ) We [my mother and I] arrive at the hospital and this is how the day proceeded along. Bryan’s birth story. 
10:50 PM – 1 centimeter. This is also known as the waiting game. The end seems far far far away. We are all in the delivery room talking and “hanging out” as if it we were in Ikea choosing a bed set. It’s exciting. Considering that this is only the beginning, I may leave the hospital to go get a venti-white-mocha to vamp up my energy before Starbucks closes. In most cases, I don’t come to the hospital until the mom is at least 4 cm along… But this birth session is personal. Suzy is family. Baby Bryan is my soon to be nephew. It’s Saturday night, party time for most folks in Miami. And what am I doing? Birth session baby. Birth session.
2:24 AM – Thank goodness for this pull out sofa that I’ve passed out in a couple of times already. Mom and Wilbe have Suzy cracking jokes about all those silly things that you think about when it’s the middle of the night and you can’t sleep. I have a major craving for peanut m&m’s. I’m about to take a walk through the hospital in hopes of getting lost by a vending machine. The nurse has hinted that there’s probably going to be no change until morning. But we all feel that going home now is missing out on the whole birth experience. “What to expect at 42 weeks… you feel like its poop but it’s the baby coming.” I think everyone is a bit delirious at this hour. Bryan, just for your Titi, please wait a couple of hours until we can all get a little rest. 
7:10 AM – 2 centimeters. I’ve been on\off from sleep for the past five hours. Suzy is in pain. Her contractions are 2 minutes apart. She just requested her epi. The room is filled with small little noises. Suzy’s hums and ayyy’s, Wilbe & Mom’s small talk, the beeping of the monitors, the opening and closing of the doors outside, and my usual heavy breathing. It’s been a long night of sitting around and waiting. Everyone in the room is already tired. She’s been at the hospital for twelve hours already. With news that she’s only two centimeters along, she has little hope that this pain will go away soon. That is, until the epi juice comes.
9:03 AM – 4 centimeters. But who’s counting? We’re in the outside waiting room; Suzy is getting her epi. Things are moving along very smoothly, thanks to the nursing staff and God’s grace she is sailing through the labor process. Bryan has decided to come into this world on a very humid and rainy day. Hialeah is giving him a true hometown welcome. I’ve always wondered why chairs in the delivery waiting room seem to be the most uncomfortable form of seating ever. Ever. I have yet to encounter a waiting room designed with the patient’s family’s comfort in mind. No sorry, Womens Hospital in Louisiana even has ottomans. That’s the most comfortable waiting room I’ve ever had to sit/sleep hours in. Suzy’s aunt just got here after driving a couple of hours to see the birth of her great nephew. Mom and I are going to check out what they’ve got in the cafeteria.
11:45 AM – It’s really quiet. We are all smooched in the corner of the room in and out of naps. Suzy is sleeping. The epi has her very serene and in a snoozing sleep. Speaking of which… zzZzzZZzzz
3:21 PM – 7 centimeters. There’s been all this talk about having her c-section scheduled or waiting to see if she reaches the crucial 10 centimeter phase. The nurse had said that at 2:00 pm they would take her in for c-section prep if she hadn’t advanced. But Bryan had other plans. When they checked her she was already 7 centimeters along. Even though I’ve been in several births where moms have ended up with emergency c-sections, it’s always nerve wrecking for the family and everyone around whether or not she will reach that point. But as always, anything and everything that needs to be done for the well being of baby and mommy is undoubtedly done and we all just sit here and wait.
4:00 PM – 8/9 centimeters. SOON. That’s all I’m going to say. Soon.
5:24 PM – Bryan. Is. Here.
Bryan, I’m sure you are wondering where your Tia is in all of this. No worries, I may of taken a backseat and allowed everyone to smooch on you first, but I the following pictures are ‘proof’ that I was there. Crazy hair, sleepy eyes and polka dot socks and all. I thought for a second that I was going to miss the most important moment of all when the nurses were talking about scheduling a c-section. I even went home to eat lunch. But, as soon as I did, your Dad called. You were ready. That’s such typical guy behavior, you all react once us women walk away. Thank you for giving me enough time to come back to see you make your way into this wonderful world we live in. Your Tia loves you so much already. 
And so ends Bryan’s birth story. I am so grateful to all the families that have allowed me to be part of their lives in each and every birth session I have captured. I leave the hospital with such a high… and it lasts days. I may be really tired and hungry but there’s this smile on my face like I’ve done something worthwhile. Something I absolutely love. I wish I could hold on to that feeling forever. But since that’s impossible, I will just have to continue shooting one birth after another. I will be posting Bryan’s newborn photos soon. He’s grown so much in a matter of days. He’s definitely changed my daily routine because it now includes bathing baby time, and kissy time, and let’s not forget rock-you-to-sleep time. I’m so spoiled. The perks of being an aunt. Ah, life is great.
