The Experience
Birth Documentary by Megan
You’re expecting a baby – let me first say congratulations!!
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You may have started thinking about the day the baby will arrive. The thought of your baby’s birth can be scary, exciting, daunting or just a means to an end.
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It can also be an empowering experience to go through. You are amazing and deserve to have the kind of birth experience you desire!
I want to know your hopes for the birth experience and I want to help you have that.
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I don’t have any medical training but I will care for you. Being in the birthing room is an absolute privilege and I don’t take that lightly.
An amazing thing happens when women are in labour – the body literally takes over and does what it needs to do so that you can go inward and become unaware of what is going on around you.
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The photos from your birth will give you tangible memories of all the moments leading up to and immediately after your baby is born.
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Sometimes birth does not go as planned. Your photos can help you to process what has happened and take back the power you may have felt you lost during the process.
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Alternatively, if you had a birth where you felt empowered, every time you look at your photos your body released oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) and you get the same feelings over and over again.
My story...
When I had my first baby 9 years ago, I needed to have an emergency caesarean and the medical staff thankfully took photos of the moments after he was born and I love them! The raw emotion of pure joy in the moments where we met him for the first time are priceless!
My daughter’s birth 6 years ago was a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean). We don’t have a single photo of the birthing process though as my husband was being a much-needed support to me.
I wish now that I had photos to look back on and remember.
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I believe your birthing partner (if you have one) is there to provide you with the support and encouragement you need.
I am there to document the beautiful moments.
So how does it all work??
I am on call for you from when you are 37 weeks to when your baby is born. I ask that between the hours of 9.00pm and 7.00am that you don’t text me as I may not see your message and it’s best to call me. Call once when things are starting then again when you are heading to the hospital. The first phone call helps me to make a decision and plan. The second phone call lets me know that if the labour is intense enough for you to require extra support then I need to be there too.
What if you are not allowed in?
I get this question a lot. Firstly, you need to confirm with the hospital that I am allowed to come in to capture your birth. This ensures the staff are all aware that I will be there to document your birth.
If the situation changes and you need emergency surgery in the form of a caesarean, some hospitals allow photographers in to the room but most don't. If this happens, the money that you paid will be transferred to a Fresh 48 session where I come into the hospital within 48 hours of the baby being born and capture those precious moments of you with your baby and immediate family.
Do you have a back up photographer?
Yes. When someone books me to capture their birth, I make sure I am available for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the time you are 37 weeks until your baby is born. In the unlikely event that I am not available or have become ill, I have a selection of local photographers to choose from to use as a backup. Please don't stress about this though, I will 99% of the time be able to attend to your birth.
What kind of photos do you take?
When we chat and you give me a copy of your birth plan, we will also have a chat about the types of photos you would like.
Every woman is different. While some like to have photos of the baby coming out, others don’t and that is completely fine. I am there to capture the photos you want!
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Some women wonder what to wear? So, this depends on what you are comfortable with and how you are planning on sharing your photos. If on social media then it is best to wear a nice crop top so no nipple is shown.
Again, it’s completely up to you.
To flash or not to flash??
Cameras need light to take photos. If you want the best lit photos in a dark situation, flash may be required.
If you really don’t want flash, that’s completely ok and I can open doors or light more candles to create more light.
This will also be a part of our discussion when we meet before the birth.
