I did not start out to be a birth photographer.

Even as recently as a year ago, I was turning down inquiries for this kind of session because if I’m being honest…I was little intimidated.  I was worried about how I could be “on call” with having my own two kids….I wondered if I was ready…would I be able to capture those all important moments for such a monumental day?

Then last September one of my dearest friends asked me to be at the hospital for her C-section….not just there, but documenting the moments and anticipation leading up to and welcoming her son into this world.  After that I was hooked.

Two months ago, a client text me at 10:45pm letting me know her labor was starting.  After making a few last minute arrangements to cover my own family responsibilities, I headed to the hospital and spent an incredible night watching a family of 3 become 4.

Harvey’s mom let me know a few months ago that she would need a C-section and gave me the date to put on my calendar.  I had two C-sections myself, and one perk is you know exactly when your little one’s birthday is going to be!  I will neither confirm or deny that I went to get a blowout shortly before my son was born.

 We continued to adjust our plan based on her doctor’s visits.  I met with Huy and Thuy a few months before their due date to answer any questions they may have and just get to know them a little better.  I wanted them to feel completely at ease having me there with them on such an important day.  We bonded over music and coffee.

As we got closer to Harvey’s birthday to be we discovered that even C-section babies can also be unpredictable.  His due date got moved around a few times based on her doctor visits, but the day finally arrived and I met them at the hospital around 3:30.  I want to share his birth story with you below.  There are several pictures but if you actually make it to the end of this post, you will see my favorite part…his Life in Motion video.

I had the extraordinary opportunity to be in the OR for Harvey’s birth and witness it all.  This is often an unknown in C-sections…it’s usually left up to the doctor and anesthesia, however Huy works in anesthesia at the hospital and had gotten permission for me to be there.  It was so amazing to get to see Harvey’s first breath and get photos of those moments for his parents that even they couldn’t see from where they were.

If you or someone you know is expecting a baby and interested in capturing these beautiful moments that become such a blur, please contact me.  I would love to be your birth photographer and give to you what I so wish I had for my own.

Harvey’s Birth Story from Melissa Lebo Parsons on Vimeo.