Baby Ireland Grace- Pittsburgh Birth Story- Forbes Hospital

Alexis and I had very similar first birth stories, so I connected immediately with her desire to photograph her second birth. We both had emergency c-sections after inductions with our first babies. Alexis had a pretty traumatic experience, which made it that much more special that she would trust me enough to bring me in this time around. As a photographer, you often aren't allowed back in the surgical room for c-sections, due to hospital policies, which is what we faced for Alexis's scheduled c-section. But, that wasn't going to keep me from documenting the entire experience, beginning with the excited and nervous moments shared with her husband, Matt as the surgery time got pushed back and all that was left was waiting for that sweet baby to come. I even got a chance to grab some shots of their family and first daughter, Olivia boiling with anticipation in the waiting room. Then, of course, we got those first moments of skin to skin. Alexis didn't get to have skin to skin with her first born, so it was even that much more magical to see. C-sections are a bit different than natural births in that the dad is the first one to hold the baby while mom is stitched up and taken to recover a bit. That first moment of holding your baby after everything is literally indescribable. "This time sinks your heartbeats and helps lower the baby's blood sugar", the nurse told her, which is truly an incredible concept. Bodies and instincts are nuts and beautiful and amazing and crazy! And holy cow, THAT HAIR! I was obsessed with Ireland's full head of dark brown locks. It was the first thing everyone who saw her commented on because it was straight up that good! That little peanut made her way to the world and things went swimmingly for momma this time around. Watching Ireland's parents fall in love with her in real time was too special and then I got the chance to photograph Olivia meeting her for the first time. It was filled with a little bit of fear, hope, worry, but most of all, excitement! She even brought her a little knitted hat as a welcome gift. It can be scary to see your mommy in a hospital, but Olivia was so brave and just kept saying how beautiful "Ireland Grace Keane" was. :) Congratulations guys, and I send all the best snuggles and happy wishes for your family!