Tag: doula and photographer

Poppy’s Homebirth

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2/15/17 the date little Miss Poppy decided it was time to come Earth side!

This surprise girl kept mom and dad on their toes the whole pregnancy making them think perhaps they could be in store for a little boy. Her two big sisters however, were convinced from day 1 that she was indeed a she. “I knew it I told you so,” we could hear from down the hall as Dad went to share the news of Poppy’s arrival.

The timing of this home birth couldn’t have been more perfect, the girls had been tucked into bed the night before, mom and dad labored beautifully through the night, and right before the birth big sisters woke up and were able to meet the newest addition minutes later.

I was so blessed to be able to serve this family as their doula and photographer!

Fundraising OPEN!

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My “Support” Page has been updated and my fundraising campaign is ready to go! I am super nervous and excited to see how this goes. I truly hope my expectations are blown out of the water and I have plenty of funds left over to start a “Future Midwife Scholarship” (creative name ideas for the scholarship are welcome). This dream is not for me; it is for the families that deserve to have access to midwifery care.

A baby knows when to be born: Oden’s Sneak Peek

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When I think back to my birth, the most supportive, consistent, and loving “component” was my husband. Without him I could not have endured labor let alone a 42 hour labor. To imagine facing the fact that he wouldn’t be there would have been heartbreaking.

Kelsey first contacted me about photographing the birth of her son because her husband would be away serving our country and would miss the first 2 months of his son’s life. I knew I had to be there. They lived further than I would typically drive for clients but I couldn’t turn this family away.

When we met to discuss details at 36 weeks she had exciting news; Robert MAY be able to make it to the birth. He would be able to return home from August 1st – 14th…she was due on the 6th. For those who do not know the average first time pregnancy lasts 41 weeks and 1 day, in Kelsey’s case the 14th!

The labor call came on the 6th. Dilated to 5 at lunch time we were all pretty sure this little boy was going to beat the odds and arrive on his actual due date , but he apparently had other plans for his momma. After a long overnight labor, which Kelsey handled beautifully, baby Oden arrived at 6:36am on the 7th. Robert and Kelsey got to enjoy pregnancy for 1 week together and they got to experience family life together for 1 week together. Perfect timing for an imperfect situation.

This mom’s support team was incredible! Could she have done it with just her mom? Yes. Could she have done it with just Robert? Yes. But with the two of them together helping her relax, she was truly able to tackle each contraction with ease (she might say differently but to outside viewers she was the picture perfect Bradley® student).

I was so excited to capture these moments this sweet couple thought they would not get to experience.

Sean’s Surprise Birthday

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I never know how parents, especially first time parents, keep from finding out the gender of their baby. Tears and anticipation filled the room as Sean made his entrance into this world. His parents were beyond joyful to meet him (and find out he is a him) after a short and intense labor. Not a dry eye in the room as his mom proclaimed, “I have waited my whole life for you”. This couples love for each other and their newborn son does not come through in these photos. I know parents love their children, but Sean will be cherished each moment of each day.

 

 

 

 

To be a part of this birth as a doula and photographer was very bitter sweet as I will be taking a break from both soon (more details will be posted later).  I thank them from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve them.

Newborn Sneak Peek: Caden

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What better way to spend a mother’s day than with a new mother helping her capture her son in photos that will last a life time. I was excited to see Mr. Caden again and see how big he’d gotten in just a week and a half. Here is just a little sneak peek of his photo shoot.

Caden James

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A write up for this sweet birth is coming soon but I couldn’t wait to get the picture sneak peek up for the family! Enojy 🙂

Caden James

4/30/2013 3:56am 7lbs 2oz

Joyful Baby Momma

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You might be thinking the name of this post is a little  out of the ordinary compared to my usual birth sneak peek posts, and it is! For several reasons:

  1. I couldn’t use baby’s name in the title because this sweet girl is still being referred to as “new baby”.
  2. Her parent like unordinary names…hence why they’re being a little indecisive about her name 😉
  3. This was the birth of my friend and co-birth field worker/associate/referral/personal diaper supplier, Kristina who operates “JOYFUL BABY PLANNING“

Title make more sense now? 🙂

I was so excited when she asked me to capture the moments right after the birth of her next “surprise baby”. The only scary part was her last labor for her 2nd child was very fast and we were all prepared for this one be even quicker. “I know I’m going to have this baby in the car,” she told me several times, and that prediction wasn’t far from true.

We arrived at the birth center at the same time (just 2 hours after she text me “I think I might be in labor”) and she hurried inside to be checked. 10cm! She had showed up complete and ready to push. It wasn’t too long of a wait before a screaming, pink baby made her debut. Her parents were so relieved to have her in their arms they didn’t even check for gender until about 3 minutes after birth!

It's a Girl

It’s a Girl

The great moments didn’t stop there! Since she arrived so quickly they had time to call their other two kiddos and tell them the good news….or bad news to big brother who was certain the new baby was going to be a boy.

Baby Girl R 4 19 13 057

Listening for a reaction from big brother…something…anything

He was not happy with the result, but his reaction sure was amusing for all in birth room! After crying, "nooo" he hung up on his parents. I'm sure he'll come around.

He was not happy, but his reaction sure was amusing for all of us in birth room! After crying, “nooo” he hung up on his parents. I’m sure he’ll come around.

I am so blessed to have been able to witness the birth of this family’s newest addition, and look forward to learning what name this precious girl has been given.

“Itty Bitty” Annabella Arrives

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One week ago today I was blessed to witness one of the most joyous and redeeming births…ever!

To make a long story short, Michele and Aaron had a very difficult birth with their first child so things were slightly nerve-wracking throughout their second pregnancy. Even though their son is healthy now, fears of shoulder dystocia, fetal distress, and emergency situations were in the back of everyone’s mind. Hope for a different experience and trust in her body helped get Michele through an unexpected labor and birth.

After much discussion and attempting to induce labor naturally, the decision was made that an induction was medically necessary and was scheduled for 3/21 at 6:00 am. Annabella did not want her momma to go through that apparently! On 3/20 Michele’s water broke but there were no signs of contractions, I think I speak for all of us when I say at this point in time none of us had any idea how things were going to go down. Labor built quickly and by 9:00pm I was being called to join them. Upon arrival I was told she had progressed to 7cm in just a few short hours. Before we knew it push time had arrived! After lots of prayers, hope, and team work Annabella arrived at 10:23!

Michele asked me to attend her birth so they could capture all the moments they were not able to have with Anna’s big brother. I loved that thru all of this the thing that stood out to Michele was the fact that she believes she had to have a rough first experience to truly  enjoy her second birth.

Birth Photography Special – Summer 2013 –

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I am so excited to announce I have a new photography partner in crime and we have a special deal just for mammas due this Spring and Summer!

2 birth photographers for less than the price of one!

BBBandBailey

What is “the price”?

The price for BOTH  photographers to attend your birth will be $225.

Birth photographers in the DFW area charge on average $600 per client and some are upwards of $1000

Why so cheap?

We prefer the term affordable rather than cheap. This is a new partnership so we have a system to work out and portfolios to build so we truly appreciate clients who are willing to work with us as we get off the ground. We promise just because our price is reduced we put in the same amount of work and effort all of our full price clients receive. We hope to reach clients that would not be able to afford a full priced birth photographer.

Why 2 photographers?

We formed this “alliance” because we both bring something valuable to the table.

I (Kelsey) have experience in the birth field as a doula and birth instructor. I am proud of my artistic ability and was a photographer for several years, but am a bit rusty on all the latest technology.

Bailey is a more experienced photographer with a great eye and west coast style. She is more technically inclined and has the equipment to back it up. She is also a lighting guru, which tends to be the hardest aspect when it comes to labor and birth photography.

Together we are everything you need to capture the irreplaceable moments of birth.

Having 2 birth photographers on call also reduces the likely hood of the photographer missing your birth

What kind of images will you capture?

Anything you want! Some clients want us there from the moment labor starts and other prefer us to wait outside until right before baby arrives.

You can see my photography archives here.

Bailey’s portfolio includes maternity and newborn photography as well.

What if I don’t want 2 extra people in the room while I birth?

We completely understand and respect your privacy. Birth is a very intimate time and we do not want to disturb your environment. If you prefer one photographer we would discount the price even further to $175. Which ever of us was on call first when your labor begins would be the one to attend.

What happens after the birth?

We typically stay about 1 hour after the birth to capture the first family moments. We would then put together a sneak peek for you available to view within 1 week of your birth. We would then put all of your proofs online in a protected gallery. You can choose from there to order prints or digital copies.

Please contact us with any additional questions you have. We look forward to working with your family during this life changing journey!

Kelsey Schwartz and Bailey Hall

(K) 214-477-2898 (B) 325-669-9336

email: bumpbirthbaby.northtx@yahoo.com

Beckham’s BIRTHday

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Some families bring a smile to your face, others tears to your eyes, and a few make you laugh hysterically while smiling and crying! Lindsay and Adam are THAT couple. From Adam’s exclamations such as, “OH HE’S SO COOL!” and “DOESN”T HIS SWEETNESS MAKE YOU WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY RIGHT NOW!” to Lindsay’s request for a Jimmy John’s Sandwich immediately after birth, they made a 3 day start and stop labor so much fun for those around without even realizing it.

I was so excited when these former students from my birth class asked me to assist them through their labor as a doula and photographer. Their sweet 8 pound (on the dot) baby boy Beckham made his arrival on February 23rd which just happened to be his actual due date (less than 3% of babies arrive on their EDD).  Most of the labor and birth images I captured cannot be shared on the web, but I did want to share some of the sweet family moments from Beckham’s first hours of life.  The joy in the room was contagious and everyone was smiling ear to ear. It was a perfect ending to such a long labor and a beautiful beginning in this family’s new chapter of life.