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A Double Surprise

This twin birth story is double the surprise on so many levels! You may ask what the odds are of having two sets of naturally occurring twins. This joyful twin birth was truly special for this family who found out!

Be sure to watch their birth film at the end of this post, it is the best!

Surprise: A Second Twin Birth

I met this family two years ago when they contacted me about documenting their first twin birth. From our first meeting (a Zoom call to see if we connected), I was fully invested in these two and their birth story. Jessica and Aaron are incredible people who instantly draw you into their dynamic personalities and amazing energy. Their excitement about welcoming a set of twins was so fun to witness. Then, we had our face-to-face meeting (included in all birth stories), and I got an even better feel for their connection and personalities. Our conversations felt so easy and authentic that I left their home even more excited to capture this time in their lives. What made it even more fun was they didn’t find out genders and wanted that to be a fun surprise for their birth.

Unfortunately, they delivered preterm while I was hiking in the northwest, which made it impossible for me to make their delivery. It was such a bummer, but the most joyous part about that birth experience was they had twin girls! Delivering early, they ended up having a NICU stay. There was a lot to process with that birth experience. Still, in classic Winder style, they faced all those emotions and processed and dove straight into being incredible twin parents.

When they reached out about documenting this birth story, I was ecstatic and honored to be trusted again with such an important time in their lives. This time, they planned a scheduled cesarean birth, which added some restrictions on having me present in the operating room. Most hospitals in our Las Vegas Valley only allow one support person in the operating room for C-sections. Although their amazing OB, Dr. Harter advocated for me to be present, Centennial Hospital was adamant about sticking with policy. We talked about how things might look and didn’t give up hope that things might change on delivery day. I presented my code of ethics and knowledge of the OR, hoping that would help.

I planned to document whatever I could before and after the operating room. Aaron would take my backup camera in with him. I gave him a quick tutorial, he practiced, and everyone stayed optimistic. Because they didn’t know genders, some of the most emotive and joyful moments would be them finding what each baby was, and oh man, how I wanted to capture that on video!

Jessica had done a lot of work before this day, processing any trauma she had from her first birth experience. She came into this space prepared with tools to help her process any anxiety that arose. Although the mood was so light and fun, you could see some of those emotions bubble up occasionally. They leaned into each other, and she used those tools to stay grounded. One of the challenging parts was a bit of a delay in surgery time, which added some extra time spent waiting. One of their main hopes was to avoid a NICU stay with this delivery. With their girls at home and still so young, they knew it would be hard to manage home and the NICU.

Finally, their OB was on the unit and once again advocated for me to be present in the OR. We were blessed enough to have the charge nurse (who I worked with for many years on L&D) advocate for me as well. What a blessing to this family! Cesarean families miss out on so many moments other families get to experience around their birth, and I honestly believe having their birth documented helps them not only see the beauty in their birth but also helps them process their experience!

Finally, they were in the OR and it was really happening. The excitement was palpable and the mood so joyous.

The Joyful Surprise: Finding Out Gender

The delivery of twin A and the gender announced by dad…. a BOY!

Then twin B, again announced by dad… a BOY! How perfect is that?

Both boys were healthy and vigorous, but as their assessments continued, they required oxygen, so the tough decision was made to transfer to the nursery and possibly the NICU if needed. Dad followed along, and I returned to their room to wait for mom to leave the operating room.

By the time Jessica came out of the operating room, Aaron had come out of the nursery with an update on both babies. Her parents had been anxiously waiting in the lobby to see how things went and to find out her gender. They really drug out sharing genders with them, and oh man, the excitement was the best. Another beautiful moment captured in their birth video below.

Of course, when the boys were released from the NICU, I offered to come capture big sisters meeting their new baby brothers. Birth goes beyond the moment babies are delivered; it is a family experience. As families grow and change together, there is so much beautiful story to capture. I’m happy they were up for it, and although these moments were a bit chaotic, they were so incredibly perfect. Both big sisters took turns taking in the little details and were curious. And just like that.. Winder family of 6!

The joy of a joyful twin birth is captured beautifully in their story!

Welcoming Their Third Baby Naturally after IVF Journeys

Having the opportunity to document these moments for families always feels like witnessing miracles. The birth process itself is miraculous to think about, from growing a tiny human inside of our bodies to the process of babies transitioning from a dark, fluid-filled, quiet environment to a bright, noisy environment where their little bodies go through so many changes from alterations in circulation to breathing air for the first time. The fact that it occurs naturally most of the time is impressive!

This birth story is even more miraculous not just because of the usual miracles that unfolded on this day as they welcomed their baby girl into their arms but because of the years, tears, and anticipation that preceded this day. You see, this family had struggled through infertility for years.

Finally, through fertility treatments, they were able to have their first baby together in 2020. During this pregnancy, this mom found me when searching for a photographer to document this momentous time in their lives. This family savored every second of that pregnancy and delivery, and they were so happy to have their sweet baby girl in their arms finally. Being born during 2020 and all the pandemic restrictions made it challenging for me to attend their delivery, but things worked out perfectly in the end, and I was able to be there for them. Sadly, her family could not attend because of those restrictions, which was really hard for Ashlie as they are so close.

Again, in 2021, Ashlie reached out to me to let me know they were pregnant again! The transfer of another frozen embryo was successful, and they were expecting their second daughter. Again, there were continued hospital restrictions, but I was able to be present for their birth, and her sister was able to be there this time! It wasn’t quite what she wanted because she still had to decide who was there and wanted her mother there. Their second daughter was born after a completely different labor and her own unique birth story.

This sweet family had two beautiful daughters and still had another embryo should they decide to grow their family again. And then, the most amazing and miraculous thing happened, they became pregnant on their own! It meant that they would have three babies under the age of 3, and although that felt a bit overwhelming at times, they truly leaned into that miracle and rejoiced! This truly was a miraculous surprise!

The Miraculous Surprise

Of course, this pregnancy and birth had to have their unique birth story, and I love that each of their girls was different! Although there were continued restrictions in most of our local hospitals in 2023, the staff was much more empathetic and, with communication, agreed to let them have her mother, sister, Greg, of course, and myself all present! This meant so much to Ashlie; you could feel the energy in their birth space shift when she had that support around her.

This pregnancy went the longest for her gestationally, which made those last weeks extra challenging, but once labor finally started, she had such a fast labor! Although it was so much quicker than her previous two, it was also more intense, so that period waiting for her epidural was a bit rough, but once she got that, she was able to relax and enjoy the support around her.

Ashlie continued to progress quickly; before you knew it, she felt intense pressure. She leaned into breathing and her support team, and what I loved was that she focused on the blessings in her life and pulled out her phone with a picture of her sweet girls to fo

Just before she was ready to deliver, she gave each of us these sweetest gifts. How thoughtful and kind is that? It meant so much to me. I’m always blown away that I get to witness these moments and am trusted in these spaces. This birth was additionally emotional for me, and I processed the fact that I’ve been there for all three of their births!

Because things moved so quickly, they waited for her obstetrician to arrive before pushing. Dr. Adashek is amazing and was on call for her regular doctor; Dr. Wilkes. Greg had been able to assist in the delivery of their last baby and had hoped he would have the opportunity again. Dr. Adashek went above and beyond and gave Greg the main role of delivering his daughter. It was amazing!

Each of their girls have been named after grandparents which made each so unique and extra special!

You can feel all that emotion and love in their still images, but video has an extra special way of showcasing all those emotions!

We have done newborn sessions with each of their girls, and each girl had a designated color that they incorporated into their sessions. Again, Ashlie is so thoughtful and intentional, and I love that, among a million other things about her.

Birth photography has become more popular over the last decades, and it is easy to see why. The birth of your child and the moments around it are some of the most emotional and life-altering moments we experience. Reflecting on such a momentous day’s emotions, strengths, and connections can carry beautiful memories and significant healing.

There are many things to consider when searching for the perfect birth photographer; I’ll share 6 factors for choosing a birth photographer and important questions to ask yourself and your prospective photographer.

Hiring the right birth photographer for such a momentous time is essential. Not only is the birth of your child a moment that cannot be repeated or redone, but it is also incredibly emotional and intimate. Although hiring a birth photographer based on price alone may be tempting, there is much more to consider.

1. Experience

In Various Lighting Situations

The first factor to consider is experience. It’s important to consider not only their years in business but also how much experience they have in the birth space.
Birth photography is a unique genre in that lighting settings and scenarios vary greatly. Mothers tend to labor in dimly lit spaces and various light settings, from home to birth centers, to hospital births. Your photographer must be prepared to walk into whatever space you’re delivering in, ready to use the available light, or be equipped with additional light sources such as an external flash.

Do they have a portfolio with strong and consistent work in various settings?

An experienced birth photographer will have invested in equipment that can handle low-light situations and be ready to use their equipment to the best of their abilities. Some birth photographers use an external flash in dimmer lighting situations and during face-paced moments, while others prefer to rely on natural light within the scene. Neither is wrong, but you may want to ask your prospective photographer which they prefer.

Within a Variety of Birth Settings

An experienced birth photographer will have experience in various settings, better preparing them for what may come next. They will have learned the best angles and positions within birth spaces to capture the moments most important to you. They will have experience with the different stages and phases of labor, helping them anticipate moments. They become masterful storytellers, able to see storytelling elements within scenes while using the best compositions to tell your story beautifully.

They will have developed a reverence and respect for the birth space without becoming intrusive or disrespectful.

They will likely have developed the skill of working seamlessly with others on your birth team.

How Many Births Have They Documented?

It is appropriate to ask how many births your prospective photographer has documented. Although we all have to start somewhere (and I am so thankful for the first families that trusted me in their birth spaces), experience does matter in this genre. You may know photographers with years of experience and consider them for your birth, but they may not have had experience in such varied and uncontrolled settings, which matters.

If you’re considering having family members or friends document your birth, there are many things to consider: where to stand, what to anticipate, best angles, use of light, and respect within the birth space. Hiring a birth photographer allows you to have family fully present in the birth experience without worrying about grabbing their camera or not being fully present in these emotional moments.

2. How Do They View Birth?

Another important factor to consider is how they view birth.

You may wonder why your photographer’s views on the birth matter and why they should align with yours.

It is essential that you feel respected and honored in your birth space. Every single person present within your space can have an impact on your birth experience. Are they aware of your wishes, requests, birth plans, and history? Are they willing to leave their experiences and biases outside your space? It can be tempting for others within your space to project their experiences onto yours, and although that may seem helpful, it can also take away from your own unique and personal experience.

Having a birth team that believes in your ability to bring your child into this world can make a huge impact, particularly when you may begin to doubt yourself or your own body’s capability.

For instance, a photographer who’s never photographed or witnessed a home birth may have some anxieties or hesitations, or a photographer who is only comfortable in a homebirth setting may give off confrontational vibes in a hospital setting. Everyone is entitled to their own experiences and emotions, but it is important on your special day to honor yours.

3. Professionalism

The third factor to consider is their professionalism in the birth setting and your community.

Whether you live in a small community or a big city, birth communities tend to be small and close-knit. Having a photographer who has worked hard to develop and foster community relationships will help ensure they are accepted and respected in birth spaces.

Do they maintain professional behaviors within different types of birth locations and situations and are aware of policies within the facilities in which they work?

In this genre, your photographer must have backup gear, just in case there is a malfunction in any equipment, from their camera body to lenses, microphones, and external flashes. Documenting moments that cannot be redone requires extra diligence in ensuring your photographer has all the necessary tools.

Do they have a code of ethics they work under? Do they maintain proper business licensure and carry liability insurance? Do they have contracts to protect you and cover any incidents that may arise? Do they present themselves professionally in all situations? Do they have strong connections with other birth photographers?

5. On-Call Experience

Another important factor to consider is their experience being on call.

Birth photographers are often on call for weeks (most start ‘call’ somewhere between 37 and 38 weeks gestation and remain on-call until you deliver). That means they need a schedule that allows them to be available and ready whenever your baby decides to come, whether at night or during a family function. They’ll abstain from alcohol to stay clear-headed and focused and understand the unpredictable nature of birth, ready to remain at your birth whether it’s 2 hours or 18 (or more). They won’t put time restraints on your time together and typically stay 1-2 hours after delivery to capture important firsts such as skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, newborn exams, family meetings, and tender moments. They won’t have a heavy schedule that may conflict with your birth.

Experienced birth photographers will maintain a strong network of other local birth photographers to ensure you’re always covered if they are at another birth or in extenuating circumstances.

A great question for your prospective birth photographer is whether they work with backup photographers.

6. Do You Connect with Them?

Birth is very intimate and vulnerable. Having someone you trust with such intimate moments is vital. Are their personality and mannerisms compatible with yours? For instance, if you anticipate wanting a quiet space, does the photographer’s presence and personality demonstrate that? Does their presence make you feel comfortable? Or, are you more outgoing and conversational and more comfortable with more extroverted personality types?

6. Cost

Lastly, cost is a real factor in such a big decision. You’ll likely find a wide range of pricing from photographer to photographer in your community. Finding a birth photographer within your budget is important.

There can also be a variety of what photographers include in their packages. Do their packages include any products, such as prints or albums? Are there restrictions on time spent with you? How are your images delivered? How long is their turnaround time for providing images?

Birth photography is an investment just like wedding photography, and in my opinion, even more life-changing and important to document. Trust me; you’ll want to remember all those little details: how you looked at your baby for the first time, those first cries and tender words spoken as encouragement in the moments you needed them, the way your spouse or partner looked at you, and just how strong you are.

Most experienced birth photographers will have developed their price structure with many factors in mind, from the costs of maintaining a legitimate business to the quality gear they’ll need to capture beautiful images in whatever setting you deliver. Many birth photographers offer payment plans before your birth, which is another excellent question to ask.

Home Birth Edition

The benefits of family-centered birth care began to emerge over the last decades. Initially, this model of care started in the fields of pediatrics and geriatrics. The importance of keeping children with their family members and including families as a whole in their care plan positively impacted physical and emotional outcomes. However, over time it has grown into many other areas of medicine and brought much-needed changes to how we approach and view care and the active roles patients play in their care.

Patient- and family-centered care is working “with” patients and families, rather than just doing “to” or “for” them.

Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care

I’d love to share how this approach benefits birth experiences both at home and in the hospital setting. This post will focus on home births. This beautiful birth is a prime example of how it can look in the home setting.

Home birth provides the perfect setting for emphasizing family-centered birth care, after all, it is the birth of not just your baby, but your family as a whole, however it may look!

Of course, not everyone is a candidate for home birth, and delivering safely is always the best option. Always follow the advice of your care provider and be sure to explore and examine if home birth is a safe option for you.

As a labor and delivery nurse from 2000-2019, I enjoyed seeing many benefits of family-centered birth care emerge in my field. Patients and their families were empowered to participate actively in their care. The evolving emphasis on keeping moms and babies together, especially in those vital first hours, changed over my career for the better. Birth spaces became more family-friendly and much more comfortable and relaxed spaces. I learned firsthand how vital including family is in helping patients feel supported physically and emotionally.

During the pandemic, when families were separated from each other, and birth spaces became more and more restrictive, it felt like we had taken ten steps backward. Mothers were away from their children at home for more extended periods. Mothers weren’t allowed to have more than one support person present. It felt like a big gap had formed in the model of family-centered birth care.

I have loved being present in more and more home births in my role as a birth photographer, and I would have to say that this is part of the home and birth center births that has had the most significant impact on me; the stress on the family as the center. Also, during the pandemic, I saw more and more women turn to options outside of the hospitals, and this type of care was often the driving force.

Patient Empowerment

As a labor and delivery nurse from 2000-2019, I enjoyed seeing many benefits of family-centered birth care emerge in my field. Patients and their families were empowered to participate actively in their care. The evolving emphasis on keeping moms and babies together, especially in those vital first hours, changed over my career for the better. Birth spaces became more family-friendly and much more comfortable and relaxed spaces. I learned firsthand how essential including family is in helping. One of the primary benefits of family-centered birth is the empowerment it gives families as they play an active role in their plan of care. With communication between patients and their midwives, a safe care plan can be arrived upon. It is a team approach, with families actively choosing who is present in their birth space between midwives, doulas, and ancillary staff versus being cared for by strangers. With active planning with their birth team, decisions can be made on spaces utilized, water birth versus land birth, and family members’ roles.

I have found in my experience that family members play a much more active role in this setting. It makes sense as these are the spaces they are most comfortable in, and family members and friends know you the best.

Patients can more easily change positions in this setting, often utilizing the comfortable spaces in their homes, such as showers and bathtubs, to living spaces, such as bedrooms. I’ve even followed some of my clients on walks in the neighborhood to keep things moving along. The patient’s birth team most often tends to follow the mom’s directions on what feels comfortable versus directing it.

This family is a perfect example of family-centered care at home. This mother had given birth to two of her children in the hospital setting, and although she had good experiences, the idea of not being able to have her family around her swayed her decisions. She delivered mid-Covid and wouldn’t have been able to have her husband, children, parents, and aunts present. Family is very important to her and affected her decision on where she believed it was best for her to give birth. Well-Rounded Mama helped this family create their perfect birth story.

Dignity

Because families have actively chosen their birth team, their wishes and fears are well-known before the day they give birth. This adds layers of personalized care and adds dignity for families. Although I believe this type of care is achievable in all birth settings, a home birth adds the history of already knowing families and developing relationships with them. Their chances of everyone present in their birth space knowing them adds an extra layer of trust.

Although her family wasn’t always in the space she labored in, they were continually close by. Her children were asleep just on the other side of this wall, and her aunts and mother spoke encouraging words over her from the same area.

Health Benefits for Both Mom and Baby

One of the most significant changes I witnessed in my nursing career was the shift towards uninterrupted bonding between mom and baby during the first hour. Things that parents had long advocated for, like the baby remaining with mom that first hour, delayed cord clamping, waiting on medications, and measurements were done on mom’s chest, finally had come to fruition. But, of course, this has been standard in home births all along.

It is one of my favorite aspects to witness in home births. Midwives are hands-off (unless interventions are needed) and sit by for those first essential moments of skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, and bonding. Then, when the parents are ready, they step in for newborn assessments. It doesn’t feel rushed, and it is beautiful to see. Instead, they spend that time feeding and hydrating mom as needed, getting her to the shower (if she wants), and providing a pleasant environment for mom, baby, and the entire family.

Because families are in a familiar environment, they feel comfortable in their beds, their children feel comfortable interacting and meeting their new baby, and all comfort items are close by.

The Empowered Start names some of the many benefits to mom and baby for skin-to-skin including:

-Mothers are more likely to breastfeed during the first four months of life.

-Studies that followed moms and babies for one year found that mothers were also more likely to bond with their newborns.

-Mothers are less likely to have anxiety and experience more satisfaction with their birth experience as a whole.

-Newborns are more likely to have stable heart rates, breathing, blood sugars, and oxygen levels.

There are many resources and evidence-based studies to support this practice.

Her sons were able to come in and out of the space as they felt comfortable meeting their new baby brother. They were all immediately smitten, of course!

Women have given birth with women present much of history. Having the wisdom and support of those that have gone before you is not only helpful, but also adds an additional layer of trust, and improved experience for mothers.

I hope you enjoy their beautiful birth film. It is full of support and care from her beautiful birth team and family.

Stay tuned for my post about how to have a family-centered birth experience in the hospital setting and how you can advocate for it.

A Las Vegas Birth Birth Center Story

I am so excited to share this beautiful Serenity Birth Center birth from May 2021 with you all!

I am about a year behind in my blog posts, but does any of the last two years count? I don’t know about you, but it feels like two years of crazy time warps and so many unknowns, which has kept me on my toes!
Yes! Las Vegas finally has its first free-standing birth center! It has been a long time coming, and so much hard work, blood, sweat, and tears for April Clyde and her amazing birth team. She fought for years for this facility and this gift to our community. Finally, Serenity Birth Center officially opened its doors in the spring of 2021.

I was so excited when asked to document this beautiful birth story. This first-time mama was away from her home country and her partner, which made documenting it all the more important in sharing her birth story with her family. It was another birth story altered by the pandemic. Through our communications, she could share her wishes and the most important moments. Her sister would be her main support, and she also wanted that special relationship documented.

Read through to the end to see their beautiful birth film!

I got the call that it was finally time on an early morning in late May, and I quickly jumped in the car and headed to the birth center where she had just been admitted. Would you believe that in the first image in this blog post, she was in active labor and six cms?

Her partner could join via Facetime and exchange some emotional support and encouragement.

The special bond between these two sisters was so beautiful to watch.

As is common with many first-time mamas, things were moving along quite well, and labor stalled a bit. Physical position changes were made, and the baby continued to be monitored. I believe this is when mamas need that emotional support because they can start to doubt themselves and their bodies. But April’s calm presence and professional care held her during this period.

Once her little guy made that final fetal rotation, things moved pretty quickly, and she was quickly moved from the toilet to the tub, where she quickly gave birth. All with daddy on Facetime!

Look at this healthy boy! Just under 9 lbs!

A Las Vegas birth center birth story.