the birth of maggie amanda :: northern virginia birth photographer

As Austin and I sat in my living room talking about birth, babies, homeschooling, and all kinds of other subjects, I felt an instant connection. I was so excited to capture what was going to be Austin’s fourth home birth.

For Austin and her family, this birth is a story of surrender. When things don’t go as planned, you can fight . . . or you can surrender. Austin is a beautiful example of graceful surrender. This is a story of surrender to prodromal labor…more than one day that we all thought was going to be “THE day”, but turned out not to be. This is a story of surrender to a longer labor than any of her other labors, a story of surrender to a hospital transfer and an emergency c-section because this sweet baby was not tolerating labor very well.

This is also a story of love. I always count myself lucky to photograph the story of a mother who is surrounded by as much love and support during her labor as Austin was. Her doula, her midwife and birth assistant, her husband, her children – everyone showered her with so much love there was never a moment I couldn’t feel it.

That love, coupled with beautiful surrender, is what makes this one of the most gentle and beautiful birth stories I’ve ever seen, I think. The love and surrender translated to such calm and peace despite the unexpected events. I think as you watch you will see what I mean. Congratulations, mom and dad (and brothers and sister!) on your beautiful, chunky Maggie Amanda. So much love to all of you.