OKLAHOMA CITY - DUNCAN, OK BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY | BABY CROWDER
Although the Crowder family resides in Duncan, OK, their OBGYN, Dr. Mills, practices in the Oklahoma City, OK area. When Meredith approached me at just a few months pregnant, one of the first aspects of her birth that we discussed was how far I would have to travel to get to her when the Birth day came. I've actually known Meredith since high school, and her sweet girls (and now big sisters!) were among my very first photography clients. This was a birth I knew I couldn't say no to, even with the distance being problematic.
It was a Thursday, I think, when the first real possibility of the tiny Prince making his appearance came about. I was in Walmart trying to run a few errands when I got Meredith's message. My husband was out of town unexpectedly, my parents were watching my boys, and I had a videography project planned for that evening. When she texted me in the middle of that chaos my heart sank. There was no way I was going to be able to make it to Integris Baptist Hospital that day. The Prince was being monitored, and a potential c-section was being discussed among the medical team. I sat in that store isle and looked my phone trying to think of any possible way I could get there, and I couldn't think of anything. With a big sigh, I sent her a message back telling her I could make it the next day for a Brand New Session, with them and the baby in the hospital, but I wasn't going to be able to come up for the actual birth.
She was extremely gracious, and wasn't surprised by my response. There was still a chance everything would calm down, the baby could stay put, and they could come back to Duncan. I prayed and finished up my shopping. A few hours later, she sent me another message that they were coming home, but she would be on strict bedrest.
So when she went up for what would be her last appointment, and they decided to induce her that evening, I could have stayed at home and driven up the next morning. Inductions aren't known for being a quick process. However, I didn't want to miss a single thing, so I loaded up my gear and drove up to the city late Monday night. I stopped by Integris to say 'hi', and get an update. She was progressing, but slowly. They were going to text me if anything changed. I went and crashed at a friend's house in Edmond for the night. It was a good move, because I actually got some sleep in between the few text updates. Knowing I was closer than I would have been in Duncan gave me a peace of mind to get some rest. The next morning I drove back to the hospital for a day of waiting with the family.
Meredith was at 4cm when I arrived that morning, making just 1cm progress through the night. As she labored, the goal was to keep her pain level under control so that her blood pressure would stay down.
I've had the privilege of watching several nurses attend to birthing mothers with great care, but I've never seen a nurse who came into a room as often as Meredith's nurse did. I honestly think she came in every 15 minutes. Not sure if she even went to the bathroom or ate food during her 12 hour shift, I'm just not sure how she would have fit that in. It was really amazing to watch her use her knowledge and be genuinely concerned for Meredith's well being. Sometimes she would come in just to check monitors if Meredith was sleeping, but she also made sure her pain was tolerable and helped her find new ways to lay to relieve any pressure she was feeling.
Finally, she found a position that was comfortable - being on all fours so that the pain and pressure were in her belly and not her back. Whatever works, Momma! I'm pretty sure she was able to nap a little in that position. The Big Sisters even came back in for a minute for a final hug and kiss before delivery.
By the afternoon, she had only made it to 5cm, and had appeared to have stalled out. Without every really saying it was for sure going to happen, the nurse began to mention the possibility of a c-section. The original plan was to let the baby come on it's own, and that was still desired, but as the hours passed, labor was only making the Prince's current living space less and less ideal. To prepare herself, Meredith asked the nurse for step by step plans for what a c-section would look like. She was not looking forward to having the procedure done, but was completely calm about doing what ever the Prince needed to come earth side safely. At this point I think Kyle communicated with the family that the baby would definitely be born on August 7 and there was a chance it could be via the belly.
Dr. Mills was able to come by at 3:45pm. She checked Meredith and to our surprise she said, "You're at a 7!" Kyle looked back and me said, "Oh, that's a game changer." In the past hour, Meredith had gone from 5cm to a 7cm, this meant she was going to get to deliver the little Prince like she was hoping she would! Dr. Mills went to go take care of a few other patients before it was time for Meredith to start pushing.
In the next few hours, she really got to show her true Momma Bear strength as her body went through the final and most painful stage of labor. Even with the epidural, she was feeling every wave of pain in her right hip, and lot of pressure as baby dropped down. Kyle applied counter pressure until his knuckles turned white while Meredith focused on keeping her breathing steady. At 4:45pm she made it to a 9cm and within the next 30 minutes she would start pushing.
At 5:51pm the newest, pinkest Crowder was born and was placed on Mom's belly.
Kyle wasn't camera shy. Can you tell? I was so glad he turned around and looked at me. I was allowed to be perched on a folding chair up against the wall, and were he was standing, I wasn't able to get his reaction when baby actually came out. But that grin right after was the best!
/ / / Side note to those interested in shooting births: I was the least important person in the room that day. Ideally, I would have been able to stand on the other side of Mom so I could get both her and Dad's first reaction, but that's not what happened. Do you see how many team members are in the room? They are their to serve and protect the Mom and Baby. In an emergency situation, I would be completely useless, and they would need to be able to work quickly. Many hospitals don't allow photographers at all, and every time we (professional photographers) step into a birthing space we are carrying the reputation of the industry with us. All it takes in one photographer pushing the boundaries too far and being disrespectful that could make a hospital decide that allowing photographers into the room is no longer acceptable. If you get stuck on a folding chair in the corner, steady your feet, use the wall for balance and work that wide-angle like the professional you are. Respect the medical team and uphold the integrity of the industry. You can do it!! / / /
Being a few weeks early, our charming little guy needed some extra attention on the warmer. I loved how Dad was able to have his hand on him the whole time, though. It didn't take too long for him to start getting good, deep breathes on his own, and he given back to Mom for some skin to skin.
Crowders, thank you for letting me tell the Birth Story of your little Prince! I won't forget that day and how naturally you snuggled your newborn son. It was such an honor to a part of the Crowder Family's next chapter!
