This one is tear jerker so get those tissues on stand by!

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Brianna and I have known each other for a very long time. We went to school together, I have photographed a boudoir session for her, I took pictures of her mothers wedding, and the night before she gave birth, I was able to get maternity photos done for her. Yes, the night before. Less than 12 hours later came the following:

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6:38 am : I receive a text. "Pretty sure I am in active labor. I am going to be heading to the hospital. I'll keep you updated"

8:31 am : I receive notice of which room and meet her

8:35 am : She is 8 CM dilated

9:23 am : She moved to another position to better help her pain

9:27 am : She knows its time to push. Doctors and nurses rush in.

9:28 am : She begins pushing. 1 push. 2 push. 3 push . 4 push

9:29 am : Kamiyah Juah is born. 6 lbs 7 oz

 

Not only is this woman a completely beautiful woman inside and out, but she is so very strong. This is her second little girl, but the first "normal" birth that she got to have.

 

Her first little girls birth was traumatic and she had an emergency C section, which left her with little to no memory of her birth process. The first birth also came before they expected and her baby girl was rushed off to Children's Mercy for care of a preemie. No footprints were taken. No pictures. No memories for her to look back on. I didn't want that for her again, not if there was even ONE thing that I could help with.

 

This pregnancy was just as hard as her last one. She was constantly sick. Couldn't hold much down. She had pain all the time from the baby pushing on all the areas that were the most painful. She had reached out to me about getting maternity pictures done, and our schedules just didn't line up. This week we found a day that finally worked and she happened to already be 3CM dilated. I knew I had to work fast in case we didn't get another day. Boy am I glad I did!

 

This delivery was special for her in so many ways. She got to hold her baby. She got to breast feed her baby. She got to experience those "firsts" that every mom should get to experience with their babies. She held her little one tight, and the love was instant, heavy, and emotional. She is a warrior. This birth was a v-back (vaginal birth after a caesarian), but not only was it a v-back, it was also COMPLETELY NATURAL!

 

This woman is so strong, brave, beautiful, raw, and such an inspiration to never let the hard things keep you from enjoying the outcome on the other side. This was her last birth. It means a lot to her that I was able to capture this for her. What she doesn't know is just how much it matters to me too. To get to be such a big part of someone's special, intimate, and joyful day, is such a true blessing.