A Twin Birth Full of Faith, Hope, and Love

A Cesarean Birth Story

This twin birth story is filled with so much faith, hope, and love, and is special for so many reasons.

Melly is a talented fellow birth and family photographer here in Las Vegas. We met online, where we soon discovered we had much in common surrounding our faith and life journeys. I admire her for many reasons, but most notably, her ability to live her faith out loud. As soon as you get to know her, you see all that faith bubbling up out of her. She is such a genuine and authentic soul.

When I saw that she was pregnant not only for the 5th time, but with TWINS, I knew I had to offer to capture this extra special time in their lives.

Hope

They carried so much past birth trauma into this pregnancy. With that trauma, there were fears, and the determination to advocate for herself and their birth experience. Melly put in so much work in the months leading up in preparing herself and her family. So much time in prayer, so many opportunities to speak on the things that were important to them in creating a healing and redemptive birth experience.

a mother pregnant with twins sitting in her hospital bed on the day of her scheduled delivery.

Melly and Nate initially wanted a home birth experience as part of this redemptive birth story. Still, as they researched options and spoke to care providers, they decided a repeat cesarean was the safest and best choice for them. This meant really advocating for things in the operating room that aren’t always standard. She sought out a care provider who made her feel heard and her wishes honored, and she found just that in Dr. Paul Wilkes, an incredibly compassionate and amazing perinatologist here in Las Vegas.

a birth plan prepared for a twin birth in the operating room for a cesarean.

Faith

Melly created a birth plan that included having me present and had it signed by Dr. Wilkes. Although we knew that the odds were great that I would be there, there was always the chance that I could be denied at the last minute either by the hospital or anesthesia, but we covered the whole experience in prayer and trusted that God was in control!

compression stockings being applied by a labor and delivery nurse before a schedule cesarean section
Dr. Paul Wilkes visits his patient while they prepare for a c-section for twins.
parents enjoy laughs together as they prepare to welcome their twin girls via c-section

As the weeks passed, Melly started having elevated blood pressures. Being closely monitored by high-risk, there came the point at 35 weeks where the decision was made to deliver their girls while it was safe. After a weekend in the hospital, and at 35 weeks and 3 days, it was time to meet their baby girls.

I arrived at Summerlin Hospital as they were completing all the pre-op tasks, and the mood was light and beautiful. This is where they really leaned into their faith and trust in God.

a mother in a wheelchair as they wheel her to the operating room for a c-section
two nurses accompany a patient in a wheelchair as she's taken to the operating room for a c-section
mother walking into the operating room accompanied by nurse before delivery of twins

The things they advocated for themselves were truly honored in their birth experience. With worship music playing and Nate praying over Melly before surgery began, you could feel the Holy Spirit working through it all.

a father praying over his wife before their twins are born via cesarean
the power of faith, hope, and love as a father covers his wife in prayer in operating room
faith filled. parents prepare a playlist for their cesarean section
parents connect while surgery is being performed for a twin birth
Dr. Wilkes delivers twins via gentle cesarean using a clear drape
delivery of twins via gentle c-section at Summerlin Hospital with clear drape
Dr Wilkes delivering breech twin via c-section at Summerlin Hospital
Doctor lifting baby over clear drape for parents to see in the operating room
delivery of twin B in breech position by c-section
black and white dramatic image of twin B being lifted above clear drape for parents to see

Both girls were born vigorous and so full of life. Each was taken to their individual warmers for initial assessment by their designated teams. Initial measurements were taken, and then both girls were bundled up and taken right over to Mama for skin-to-skin contact and bonding.

parents holding hands as their doctor begins surgery for a gentle cesarean
birth team with twin A in operating room at Summerlin Hospital
father standing alongside team in the operating room as they assess his twin girls
newborn exam in the operating room after twin delivery
father cutting remaining cord after c-section

One of dad’s wishes was to cut the cord for both girls. This isn’t allowed in the operating room right at delivery because of the sterile field present over mom’s abdomen, so the cords were left long just for dad to trim. He was able to do this for both girls!

father cutting remaining cord of twin B after delivery
twin A after delivery via c-section
nurse performing newborn exam in the operating room
baby under radiant warmer in the operating room after delivery
baby being weighed in the operating room at Summerlin Hospital

The nursery and NICU staff were so kind and accommodating to mom and dad’s wishes, and the whole room was so full of joy for this family. Both babies were brought over to their mother and positioned for those vital skin-to-skin moments.

Nurse brings baby to mother after cesarean for bonding
nurse helping a mother hold both of her twins while she's in a cesarean delivery
gentle c-section with twins at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas
mother bonding with her twins skin-to-skin in the operating room at Summerlin Hospital
Gentle c-section with twins skin-to-skin
Closing of abdominal incision after a c-section
Dr Wilkes closing after a c-section with assistance from the OB tech
Dr Wilkes talking to his patient after performing a gentle cesarean for their twin girls.

What a healing and incredible experience for this family. To be heard, honored, and to have the gift of these images to hold and to process through for years to come. I truly wish this for every single family. Cesarean families hold a special place in my heart. They miss out on so many experiences vaginal birth families get to experience, like that immediate skin-to-skin, the ability to have additional support present, as well as the opportunity to document these life-changing and incredible emotional experiences.

father holding his twin girls for the first time in the recovery room
mother being wheeled back in the recovery room after surgery
Father holding his twins in the recovery room as he awaits mom
nurse at bedside as mom holds her twin girls skin-to-skin
skin-to-skin in the recovery room after a c-section

Both girls were able to come back to the room with their mom. There was such an air of relief when it became clear that no NICU or nursery transfer was needed for them. Much time was dedicated to keeping both girls with mom, getting those first latches, and making sure bonding was a priority.

A twin birth story full of love, faith, and hope
newborn sucking her thumb right after delivery
dad at warmer as twin B is warmed post delivery

Love

Of course, I had to come back for the siblings meeting! The very next day, big sister brought the three littles to the hospital to meet their new baby sisters. I know, so many girls, right? It was the best!

Siblings arriving at the hospital to meet their twin baby sisters
mom helping her daughters prepare to meet their baby sisters
Dad embracing two of his 6 daughters
sweet fresh session
mom holding her baby during a Fresh session in Las Vegas
mother holding her new daughter in the hospital bed
fraternal twin girls during fresh session
Dad holding one of his twins during a Fresh session at Summerlin hospital
all girls family during fresh 48 session
excited sisters during hospital Fresh 48 session
proud parents holding their twin girls in the hospital
family welcoming twin girls to complete their family of 8

I’m so grateful for this sweet family for trusting me with these moments, and grateful to Dr. Wilkes and Summerlin hospital for honoring this family’s wishes and allowing me into the OR.

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DOCUMENTARY BIRTH PHOTOS & FILM

DOCUMENTARY BIRTH PHOTOS & FILM