Lauren was already in hard, I need to stop talking and focus during contractions labor, when I arrived at the hospital to photograph the birth of her first baby.
I was especially excited to attend Lauren’s birth because her mom, Sarah, is a good friend of mine. I absolutely love it when I am at a birth with friends.
Lauren’s husband Matt was tucked in and resting when I arrived. I love that St. Joseph’s has these couch/beds right in the labor rooms. I’ve slept on them myself, more than once, during a long birth.
After a rest, Sarah took backstage while Matt supported Lauren.
Having given birth nine times myself, I have to say, few things feel as good as a hot bath during labor.
Who doesn’t love the excitement that fills the room as moms get ready to push their babies out? Some moms are nervous, some are excited, and some are just downright ready to push their baby out and be done!
The moment of relief. Her baby is out and they meet face-to-face.
Grandma snaps her first photo of newborn baby girl, Umiko.
Skin-to-skin with daddy is such a great way to keep baby warm and comforted while allowing baby to get used to daddy’s smell and heartbeat.
Everyone expected Umiko to have black hair like her mama. As soon as they laid this sweet baby girl on the exam table, under the heat lamp, I noticed it wasn’t black at all. It was dark blondish-reddish, just like her daddy’s…and the ends were even lighter!
And can we all just take a moment to admire the blond fur on her upper arm?
Baby Girl was chubby and happy to scream to let us all know her lungs were working just fine, thank you!
My favorite part of the birth may have been when Lauren starred at Umiko and said, in awe, “I made an entire human!”
Yes, you did, Lauren, a gorgeous one at that!
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Congratulations, Lauren and Matt! It was such an honor to be present for Umiko’s birth. You three make a perfect family.
Thanks for stopping by Patrick
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