I met Tara late in her third trimester when she contacted me about birth photography.  We met at her house and as I walked through the door, I liked her immediately.   Their home was full of art, music and love.   I knew it would be a beautiful birth experience, and I was grateful they chose me to capture the long awaited birth story of their twins.  Tara hoped to deliver her surprise gender babies vaginally at a local Denver hospital, with a well-loved OB in the birth community. At the babies 37 week appointment, Tara’s blood pressure had suddenly risen and her doctor felt induction was the safest option for her and the babies.  She went to the hospital later that day and a gentle induction was started.  As the day progressed Tara and Tim worked together to bring the babies earthside.  But the babies were pretty comfortable and stayed put.  Throughout all of the induction, Tara handled the contractions naturally, with no pain medication, as she had planned.  She was graceful and beautiful throughout the long induction process.

After over 24 hours of labor without progressing very far, it was time to consider some other options.  Their doctor gently suggested a c-section, it wasn’t emergent, but probably necessary at that point.   As their photographer, I was concerned about not being allowed into the c-section with twins.  But their doctor insisted that I come in as well.  I was beyond thrilled to not stand on the other side of the doors!   Not only was this my first c-section that I was allowed into the operating room, but as a c-section mama myself, I was excited to capture these moments for Tara.  I remember vividly what the “other side” of the blue curtain felt like.  It feels worlds away, and I wanted to show her how she was beautifully giving birth to her babies even if it wasn't in her plan.

Tara and Tim walked to the operating room hand in hand, they gave each other a tearful kiss goodbye and Tim and I waited outside until we were allowed in.  When we entered there was a full nursing staff for each baby, and the operating team.  Their nurse gave me prime seating to take photos, and I was able to capture moments on both sides of that blue curtain for them.  When it was time for the babies to arrive, everyone in the room was full of emotion, they could feel the amazing vibe of love and positive energy the couple had.  Everyone was excited to see who these were too!

Baby A came out, hands up to the heavens, singing to his parents, the OB showed baby to dad to announce the gender, it was a BOY!    Tears filled my eyes, and I looked over at their nurse, who was crying as well.  A few short minutes later Baby B came out, breech and bottom first with little fists clenched.  The doctor held Baby B up, and dad announced it was a GIRL!  Everyone was shocked!  A boy and girl; healthy, strong and perfect in every way.   Dad immediately did skin to skin with his son, then his daughter, and then both of the babies, right in the operating room.  One of the nurses told me she thought that was a first for their hospital, skin to skin on dad with twins in the operating room!   Mom held and kissed her son and then daughter, it was truly a beautiful moment as the couple looked at each other with such love and joy.

The babies were born on Friday, the day the Supreme Court ruled that all couples could marry, regardless of gender.  They were born on a day full of love, and it’s perfectly fitting for this family.   Their birthday was full of love, all around.  It was not only beautiful and incredible, but it helped to heal my heart as a c-section mama myself.   I was able to share with Tara that her daughter came with her bottom first and fists clenched, and her son singing to the heavens.  I was able to give them moments their eyes couldn’t see and grateful to have been a part of this family centered cesarean birthday.

Babies delivered at Presbyterian/St. Lukes in Denver, Colorado

Meet the babies, baby girl on top right, boy on the bottom right.

First kiss, the most beautiful moment in the world.

Dad doing skin to skin in the operating room with this twins