Cesarean Birth with Doula Support + Photography - St. Joseph Hospital, Ann Arbor
I photographed Lindsay and Chris’s first birth story a few years ago and was super excited when I was asked to photograph this baby’s birth as well. The family hired me as their doula and birth photographer for both births, and there is nothing quite as wonderful as sharing this birth space with them a second time. I truly love this family, they have become friends over the years.
Lindsay was hoping for a hospital VBAC with the Midwives at St. Joseph Hospital in Ypsilanti, Michigan. As her birthing day got closer, her blood pressure crept up, just as it did with her first birth. Lindsay’s plan, if that happened, was to have a repeat cesarean birth rather than a long induction with the complicated medication of magnesium to control blood pressure during labor.
Lindsay had to be induced. After a full day of induction, she wasn’t much farther along than when she arrived, and the hospital was about to start magnesium. We had been in touch all day, but they called to discuss their plan because starting magnesium was when they wanted to re-evaluate. Lindsey felt like their best choice was to have a cesarean birth right then, rather than continue on this long path of induction, which might still end in cesarean birth. I fully supported their decision. We had discussed it prior to labor several times. I made my way to the hospital to support them during this process.
We had a few hours before the c-section because she had eaten in the late afternoon, and then we got bumped a few times in the middle of the night due to emergent needs. Finally, it was time.
The only two times that I’ve ever been ‘allowed’ into the Operating Room at St. Joseph’s hospital is for this family’s birth. It’s really a no-brainer for hospitals to allow doula support in the operating room. It’s found to increase patient satisfaction significantly, great for partner, and makes the birthing person feel much safer. Hospitals need to remember that the person giving birth knows no-one in that room besides their partner. Having their doula is extremely beneficial. But very few hospitals in this state allow that regularly, unfortunately and patients need to speak up about it. ACOG supports doulas in the OR, and some hospitals are starting to get on board, including Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.
The only way I’m allowed in the OR here is if dad swaps out with me. It’s not perfect, but it’s something. Chris and I waited outside the OR doors for his time to go in, those ‘20’ minutes drag on, and finally the nurse came and got Chris, so I was left to wait.
About 20 minutes later after that, Chris came out and I went in. We smiled through our masks as we did a quick exchange. I think I had dejavu for a moment. We’d done this exact thing before. It was wonderful to be in that space with them. Photos matter. Your birth story matters. It’s a day that a family will remember for the rest of their lives. Folks remember when they feel heard and supported, and they remember when they don’t.
After the c-section was over, we all went into the recovery room together. The recovery room is the space where every cesarean birthing family gets to fully meet their baby. They can hold them and look at them in a way they were unable to in the OR. Lindsey and Chris navigated this space like pros. It’s clear that these two love each other very much, but more than that, they respect each other. Their dynamic allowed them to work through decisions together and then be present for each other through the birth of their baby. They didn’t know the sex until birth and found out they were having their second SON in the OR together. Happy Birthday baby boy, you are lucky to be born into such a great family!
My clients are sentimental and Lindsay is no exception. She always brings mementos, affirmations, and items that represent their family and are important to her. You can (and should!) make your hospital space your own!
When you know, you know.
Dad took this with my camera <3