I went to college with Alycia, and was so honored when she asked me to document the birth of her 5th child in February of 2019. A fellow friend and birth photographer had captured a previous birth story for Alycia and she told me, “Get ready. She doesn’t look like she’s in labor and then - Whammo - she has a baby!” I thought this must surely be an exaggeration, as most people display fairly predictable behaviors as they move through the labor process. But as you’ll see in the photos below, she was spot on. This was THE CALMEST birth I have ever attended. It was simply beautiful for a number of reasons. I’ll let Alycia take it from here:
It was so important to me to have this birth documented. After two miscarriages, infection, pain, an endometriosis diagnosis, and two surgeries, we weren’t sure if this day would ever come.
On the day of Beckham’s birth the snow slowed down enough so I could get to an appointment with my midwife. 12 days post-date. Another big storm was ready to hit that night. My midwife told me I was in a very slow moving labor, so we decided to set up a time that evening to have her come break my water. It was extremely important for me to have my photographer there. She was coming from an hour away so it needed to be before the snow.
My best friend and mom were both able to come to the birth which made it really special. I had my essential oils out ready to use if needed next to a quote that inspired me.
My husband made me tea and rubbed my shoulders through contractions while my mom, friend, and the midwife prepared the tub.
After only an hour or so I went into the tub, ready for the relief the water brings. I sat and read every affirmation of love given to me on the banner from my dear friends who came to my mother’s blessing. I listened to my hypnobirthing meditations. Henna was another relaxing thing for me during those last few weeks and the design I had drawn on my hand reminded me of that peaceful feeling.
This guy came out fast and furious. He was probably the angriest newborn I have ever seen, but with the sweetest face and dimples on his cheeks.
This. THIS is why birth photography is so important. I didn’t have to worry about my husband or my mom or even my best friend taking pictures for me. They were IN the photos too.
Quick interruption from me (the photographer). I think the above image is so fascinating because Alycia’s placenta was slow to detach completely. While most of it had been expelled, the tiniest bit of membrane stayed in place, so technically the birth was not over. Because there was no bleeding to speak of, her midwife was able to JUST WAIT. Something that midwives are especially good at. It finally came away and this beautiful heart-shaped placenta was declared intact with hardly any postpartum bleeding. Lovely.
OK - back to Alycia’s narration.
One of the things I loved about a home birth is that your care provider is with you 100% of the time. There aren’t any shift changes or worries about your doctor getting there on time. My midwife cared for both the baby and I from beginning to end.
After baby’s check we got him dressed in his “going home” outfit even though he wasn’t going anywhere. We actually didn’t leave this room for a week. I never thought I would have a baby at home. I had an epidural with my first two. This time it just felt right for us, even though I know it isn’t right for every family, mother, or baby.
I will always treasure these. The looks on my kids’ faces when they saw their brother for the first time. Especially our oldest! He know how much we went through to bring this guy in the world and his tender heart was just bursting.
Thank you for sharing your lovely birth story with us, Alycia. I am so happy for you and your family and I’ll always remember that cozy snowy evening when we welcomed Beckham to the world. And one of these days I’m going to need you to teach me about meditating. Because I used hypnobirthing for one of my births and it did NOT look like this. haha!
Midwifery care by : Brianna Curtis with Cascade Midwifery.
See Alycia’s soulful photography work at Story of Home Photography.