Cesarean Birth at University of Michigan; Ann Arbor Birth Photographer

My client is a midwife herself at the University of Michigan hospital. She had planned a homebirth for her own baby with Gentle Mama Holistic Midwifery - Celeste and Patricia. I always love working with other birth workers, there is just something so special about us all being in the space together. Connected in a different way than before. <3

As my client neared the end of her pregnancy, some things changed. Unfortunately, the decision was made to transfer care from homebirth to hospital birth. She was induced and labored on the floor she worked on - what an experience! She labored throughout the night and then all day on Mother’s Day and into the night. Contractions got more intense, but sweet baby girl wasn’t having it!

Late that evening, the family made the difficult decision to have a cesarean birth. From that point on, everyone got ready quickly and they handed me scrubs. It was the first time I’d been into the OR since the policy changed at University of Michigan to allow a second support person back in the OR. This is something that I’ve had to push hard for with my clients in previous years. But with this policy change, my anxiety dropped significantly and I was able to focus on my client and my job, rather than advocating for my client.

My client went back into the OR to get set up while dad and I waited in the room. Those 30 minutes feel really long, especially when you are waiting to meet a loved one.

Once we stepped into the OR, my clients held hands, smiled, locked eyes and watched their daughter being born. It’s hard to know that some of these beautiful moments have gone undocumented in the past. Birth is still birth, even behind the operating room doors. You meet the new love of your life, and those moments should be documented.

A few moments later, their tiny daughter with a full head of dark hair was born. The doctors delayed clamping the cord, and my clients were able to see her over the curtain for a few moments, before the cord was cut and she was brought over to them. They held their baby and admired her beauty. There really is nothing quite like meeting your very first child for the first time., it’s just magical!

After surgery was over, we went to recovery. There, my clients got to really ‘see’ their daughter for the first time, she latched right on and nursed like a champ! Once they got settled in, I left and came back the next day to document a little bit more.

Scroll on to see their Mother’s Day birth story.

If you are planning a cesarean birth at University of Michigan, please reach out to have your story documented!