A Family Centered Birth Story
I am so excited to finally share the birth of Javier Cesar, a beautiful family-centered birth story.
I have been anxiously awaiting a break in work to catch up on my blog. Unfortunately, I am months and months behind; this birth took place last April (2021)!
I love blogging these stories because seeing them as a whole shows how much storytelling there is in birth. The beautiful story that is birth begins months before you even meet. It starts in the planning, dreaming, hoping, praying, and in all the anticipation before your baby’s arrival even begins. Birth is the beautiful climax of your baby’s story. I believe there is no more life-altering and life-changing moment in our lives. So to witness it and capture it for families is such a blessing, and a responsibility I don’t take lightly!
Michelle found me in her second trimester as she searched for a birth photographer in her area. She reached out, and we talked about her hopes and wishes in documenting her birth. She and her family lived in St. George, UT, a town located an hour and a half north of me. Their birth would be the furthest I had ever traveled for a birth story. As we talked through her plans and wishes, we immediately connected and decided to move forward with lots of communication to make sure I had as much window as possible to make the drive and arrive in time. This was also their fourth baby, which added another layer of worry as she had gone pretty quickly with her last delivery.
Michelle is a truly special woman! I immediately admired her passion and drive, and her beautiful heart. She is also a talented birth photographer located in North Port, FL, an Ayurveda herbal specialist, military veteran, has even become a doula since her last birth!
This was their first homebirth and first son, so it of course was going to be a little bit extra special. I love that Michelle researched and educated herself, building her dream birth team.
Be sure to follow through to the end to see their beautiful birth story film, oh, and grab a box of tissues!
![daughter hugging her mother as she labors](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/little-loo-photography.jpg)
Michelle called me in the early morning hours on April 27th, letting me know her contractions were becoming regular and she believed it was time. I quickly packed up my car and got on the road. It was a beautiful rainy morning which made the drive through our desert so gorgeous. I arrived at their home just as the sun was rising. Everyone was up and Michelle had her close friend and neighbor as well as her doula, Trish Baird there.
![having your children present as you labor at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/daughter-with-laboring-mother.jpg)
![friend massaging head during contraction](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/physical-touch-in-labor.jpg)
![quiet moments of rest during early labor](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/breathing-through-contractions.jpg)
![kneeling during contractions at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/quiet-labor-moments-2400x1760.jpg)
![midwife checking blood pressure at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blood-pressure-check-in-labor.jpg)
Soon her midwife, Janae Sherman arrived with the rest of her birth team. Michelle had created a beautiful space and atmosphere to labor in and was held and supported by her family and birth team.
![back massage during labor](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/physical-touch-during-labor.jpg)
![support team of doula and midwife](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/looking-inward-during-labor.jpg)
By midday, her contractions were becoming more intense and Michelle began to pull inwards and focus through each wave. At this point, she decided she was ready to get in the water.
![laboring in the water at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/using-tub-home-birth.jpg)
![using water for relief in labor](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/using-warm-water-during-labor.jpg)
![support while laboring in the tub at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/midwife-and-doula-support.jpg)
![beautiful home birth in St. George Utah](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/laboring-in-tub.jpg)
![water effleurage in tube](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/effleurage-with-water.jpg)
![doula interacting with children during a home birth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/doula-interacting-with-children.jpg)
One of my favorite parts of witnessing home births is the family-centered care that comes so naturally in homes while allowing the space to move freely, not only for mama but also for children and support persons. It takes so much fear out of laboring. Their oldest daughter stuck by her mama’s side throughout the whole day, diligently timing each contraction, it was the sweetest.
![daughter timing contractions for her mother](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/21april_javier_059.jpg)
![contractions intensify while laboring in bed](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/supportive-husband-home-birth.jpg)
![husband encouraging wife during contractions at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/21april_javier_069.jpg)
This labor was longer than her last and caused Michelle to have some doubts about her ability. This is so common, especially in the transition phase of labor. She has done some incredibly hardcore things in her life from being a Marine, running the Grand Canyon rim to rim, and competing in body-building competitions, she has definitely done some hard things. She leaned into her team and into her strength and although this period was intense, it quickly got her to the pushing phase of labor. She planned on delivering in her tub but settled on her most comfortable spot along the tub. I love that she didn’t force it and trusted her body and position.
![leaning on tub for support during pushing in labor](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/transition-phase-of-labor.jpg)
![intense contractions before delivery at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/pushing-in-squatting-position-2400x1760.jpg)
![home delivery on bathroom floor](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/home-birth-delivery-positions.jpg)
![emotions immediately following delivery](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/delivering-baby-in-squatting-position.jpg)
![doula lifting baby up to mother's arms after delivery](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/squatting-position-for-delivery.jpg)
![seeing baby for the first time face to face](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/midwife-bringing-baby-to-chest.jpg)
![the beautiful emotions of delivery](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/capturing-emotions-at-birth.jpg)
![mother can't believe she just delivered her baby](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/emotions-the-moment-of-birth.jpg)
![little loo photography](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/las-vegas-birth-photographer.jpg)
![daughter staying afar after delivery of her brother](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/helping-siblings-adjust-to-new-baby.jpg)
![beautiful home birth in St George](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/baby-sister-meeting-her-baby-brother.jpg)
![father cutting the cord after home birth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dad-cutting-cord-after-home-birth.jpg)
![mother hydrating after home birth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/what-to-drink-after-home-birth.jpg)
![mother holding her baby after delivery at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/mother-kissing-babys-hand.jpg)
![sister interacting with her new baby after delivery at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/middle-sister-and-new-baby.jpg)
![mother breastfeeding for the first time after homebirth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/evaluating-bleeding-after-home-birth.jpg)
As Michelle got cleaned up and led to the bedroom, dad held his sweet new son and sisters gathered around. This is definitely one of my favorite births for so many reasons, one of them being the intense way this family loves each other.
![father holding son for the first time](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/big-sister-and-baby.jpg)
![baby feet in father's arms for size](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/baby-feet-in-dads-arms.jpg)
![proud father holding his son](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/proud-dad-after-birth.jpg)
![father holding his son at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/las-vega-home-birth-story.jpg)
![father and his children all together after home birth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dad-and-his-children-after-delivery.jpg)
![big sister holding her new baby brother after delivery](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sibling-holding-baby-after-home-birth.jpg)
![family centered birth at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/family-home-birth.jpg)
![mother holding baby and placenta](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/placenta-after-home-birth.jpg)
![best birth photographer las vegas](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/family-centered-home-birth.jpg)
This was their biggest baby which explained his slower descent, at 8 lbs 7 ounces.
![newborn exam by Janae Sherman](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-exam-after-home-birth.jpg)
![home birth as a family experience](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/home-birth-golden-hour.jpg)
![newborn swaddle after newborn exam](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-swaddle.jpg)
![sweet mother baby moment at home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-smells.jpg)
![home birth st george](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/21april_javier_148.jpg)
This family booked me for ‘The Whole Story’, my birth package that includes maternity, birth, Fresh, and newborn sessions. I love being able to come back in the weeks after and document their continued story. It is such a beautiful way to complete their birth story, and always a little bittersweet.
![newborn session at home after birth](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/las-vegas-photographer.jpg)
![family together on bed during in home newborn session](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/little-loo-photography-1.jpg)
![beautiful in-home newborn session](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/beautiful-family-newborn-session.jpg)
![newborn details during session in home](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-details-hair.jpg)
![father with his children in home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/not-the-baby-anymore.jpg)
![lifestyle in home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-session-with-siblings.jpg)
![siblings together during in home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/siblings-together-newborn-session.jpg)
![sweet sister new baby brother moment](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/21may_javier_013.jpg)
![sisters together with baby brother](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/big-sisters-with-their-new-baby.jpg)
![husband and wife together in-home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/las-vegas-newborn-photographer.jpg)
![beautiful black and white image lifestyle newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/in-home-newborn-photographer.jpg)
![newborn in father's arms](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/newborn-in-fathers-arms.jpg)
![father newborn poses](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dad-proudly-holding-son.jpg)
![newborn details lifestyle newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/lifestyle-newborn-las-vegas.jpg)
![newborn details in home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/in-home-newborn-photography.jpg)
![sweet newborn las vegas in home newborn](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/four-days-new.jpg)
![sweet newborn details](https://littleloophotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/baby-details-in-home.jpg)