A week and a half ago, I got a voicemail from Stephanie, who was just slightly overdue with baby Ethan, calmly stating that her water just broke. I excitedly ran out to Justin, informing him that I would be leaving soon, to photograph the birth of Stephanie and Mike’s third child. We began to make plans and arrangements for the children, in case I was not to be back home yet in the morning by the time it was ready to get Ava on the bus.
I called Stephanie back and spoke with Mike, her husband who said nothing much was happening and he would let me know when they were headed to the hospital. So I hung up, laid clothes out, gathered camera gear, and anxiously paced the floors.
Eventually I went to bed, but could hardly sleep, just knowing my phone would ring any second.
I woke the next morning at 7 panicked thinking I missed the birth, or God forbid, something was wrong and text-ed Stephanie…who promptly replied that labor had stalled and they would be starting pitocin soon. I was so relieved to hear that everything was okay but a bit anxious for her to get the ball rolling, I mean seriously! (totally KIDDING here 
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Finally around 2:30 that afternoon I got the call to come. I quietly took photos of Stephanie laboring, who–by the way–is amazing. She not once had any pain medication and bore right through those pitocin contractions like a champion, so proud of her! I helped when I was needed but I mostly tried to stay out of the way. Stephanie’s husband Mike, his sister, and a doula all helped Steph when needed. It was such a nice, quiet, intimate birth and everything about it was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and awe-some. I feel so privileged for being invited to record those moments. Baby Ethan was born just before 6 pm, almost 25 hours after Stephanie’s water broke. He was perfect in every way.
Stephanie and Mike…thank you so much and God Bless you!