Welcoming Kennedy Grace – Nashville, TN Birth Photographer

If you read the post below, I mentioned the fact that Saturday morning, I found out that I would be photographing a birth.  I’ve known for months now that it was a possibility, but in all truthfulness, didn’t expect it to happen.  All day Saturday was filled with waiting for the call, or the text.  There’s no telling how many times I checked my phone that day.  If you know me very well, you know that both of my labors were fairly quick, but especially the 2nd one.  Because of that, I was absolutely terrified I would miss this baby’s arrival.  Nicole called me Saturday morning to let me know that her water had broken, so the baby would be arriving sometime soon.  I frantically made arrangements to move one session and to find someone to attend the reception I had scheduled with me.  Once all of that was taken care of, I had a sense of relief about it all.  I ended up getting to the hospital around 8:30 at night and poor Nicole was already worn out.  It had been a long day, and it appeared there was a long night ahead.  I hung out with them for awhile and got to know them a little bit.  About 11:30, it looked as though there was still a way to go so I headed to the waiting room along with Nicole’s parents and her doula so she could get some much needed rest.  I tried to rest myself, but those waiting room chairs leave a lot to be desired.  Around 2:00 am, the doula came and got us to tell us she was about ready to start pushing.  Nicole pushed and pushed until I thought she was going to pass out.  After over 2 hours of pushing, the doctor (who was also my dr!) decided to do a c-section.  It turns out that little Kennedy was turned the wrong way which was making it difficult for Nicole to make much progress.  These two didn’t know if they were having a boy or a girl, but I made the comment that it had to be a girl because boys just aren’t that stubborn.  I was right.  At 5:20 am, little Kennedy Grace entered the world weighing 6 pounds and 1 ounce.  Nicole and Mike (and I) had not gone to bed at all and were completely exhausted, but the joy was all over their face.  Due to the c-section, Nicole was a little out of it when I saw her afterward and the photos I have of her with the baby are a little too personal to post here.

While this was an extremely long night for everyone involved, it was an amazing experience.  To be involved in something so personal is truly awesome.  I know that it wasn’t ideal for Nicole and Mike to first meet me while she was in labor, but they were so welcoming and at ease with me.  I am so thankful to have been a part of this birth.  You are going to be amazing parents!!   Now, here’s just a small glimpse into my night with them.