Birth is magical. And I will never tire of witnessing a family welcome their newest member. The birth of baby Isla was no exception. Everyone has their own birth story, and they are as unique as fingerprints. It's my job as your birth photographer to capture that uniqueness.

I got the call at 2am on Dec 2nd. Contractions were finally picking up after a long day of trying to jump start labor. Shannon's water broke the day before, and she had worked hard along side her midwife and family to get things going. I was thrilled when I got the call that it was finally time to head to their home birth. When I walked in, the birth team (midwife and hubs) were working hard with mom to keep labor going at a steady pace. 

I was there for a couple of hours. Shannon and Chris(dad) were able to get a little rest, and then they were back at it. At this point, mom's water had been broken for a significant amount of time. The midwife, Elizabeth Noorwood (she was amazing, here's her website), made the decision that it was time to move to the hospital. I am in awe at the strength I witnessed from Shannon and Chris as they made the transition from home to hospital. Sometimes our stories don't go as we plan them to, but each story is special and beautiful.

We got Shannon settled in to her labor room at the hospital. She was doing well, but baby Isla decided that she didn't want to wait much longer to meet her family. The birth team talked with mom and dad and decided that a cesarean section would be best. Prepped and ready to go, Shannon was wheeled off to the OR.

Sometimes we experience things that we never intended. Plans go astray, and we have to find the strength within ourselves to step up to new challenges. I witnessed this amazing power in Shannon and Chris as they went from having a home birth to welcoming their baby via cesarean at Stillwater Medical Center. Chris was so supportive, and Shannon was so strong. Both of them embraced the challenges set before them, and happily welcomed baby Isla. Our struggles are what define us, they make us grow, and change us in a beautiful way. Baby Isla didn't come as expected, but her birth was just as beautiful.

I wasn't allowed to go back into the OR, but I sent dad in with my camera. When we were finally allowed back into the recover room, I got to work documenting every moment I could of baby Isla's first couple of hours earth side.

Everyone was overjoyed to meet baby Isla. Her big sister Josie came in and so did grandma. Finally a beautiful family of four. 

Thank you to Shannon, Chris, Josie, and Isla for letting me be a part of your beautiful birth story.

Here is their birth video:

Please take a few moments to offer some kind words for this mama and her new family by leaving a comment on this blog post. Thanks!