The Rainbow Baby | Dallas Birth Photographer

I've attended quite a few hospital births over the years. Many times the births go well and hospital staff is respectful of the mother's wishes for her birth. Sometimes, they don't go so well. Yesterday it looked as if this birth might not go as planned. Upon arrival my client found out that her OB, who was supposed to attend the birth personally and who is 100% on board with no interventions unless required, was out of town and was not going to be able to make it. What I saw next amazed even me. My client calmly, politely, and firmly made it clear to reluctant staffers that she would be having the birth that she'd planned.

And she did.

3.5 hours after arriving and stating boldly that she just wanted to be left alone to give birth, Mandy's beautiful daughter slid gently into the world. Mandy stayed upright. She pushed under her own control. And Mandy's attending doctor had to dive and catch the baby with no gloves on. ;) I feel so honored to have attended such a calm, peaceful, serene experience. Dimmed lights, hymns playing, and just as the birth was imminent, the soft pitter patter of rain drops on the window pane.



There was much laughter. The mood was buoyant and cheerful...



Mandy said "I'm going to go take a bath and then I'm going to come out and we're going to have a baby". And so it was.







I'd never seen someone determine her birth so consciously. It was amazing. :)



Isn't Kara beautiful? I think so. And so did everyone else!











And as I drove away, the sun breaking through the storm clouds, this is what I saw across the street from the hospital:



Welcome Kara. May the sun shine on your heart all the days of your life.

Much love,
Chantel