Harleys Birth Story | Birth Photographer
"Babies are like little suns that, in a magical way, bring warmth, happiness and light into our lives." - Kartini Diapari-Oengider
One of the beautiful things in this world is childbirth, the pain and beauty coexist. Every child birth is a different experience. They are one of my favorite events to capture. The love in the room and the miracle that happens never ceases to amaze me. The power that women carry to give birth is outrageous.
My friends McKenna and Kevin McClain asked me to photograph the birth of their baby girl Harley. I experienced their other daughter Kennedy Lyric come into this world back in March of two-thousand and fifteen. I will link those photos here;
I watched as Mckenna’s Family and friends gathered around her as she prepared herself and her body to go through childbirth. The midwifery and nurses were coming in and out of the room as she rested while Harley was descending. Her sister’s and mom, and friend fell asleep on the bed next to the window. While the father fell asleep on the floor, he did not look very comfortable but sounded otherwise. Everyone was resting. A couple of hours went by and Harley was stubbornly high. McKenna was fully effaced but Harley was comfortable and not willing to move. This would be McKenna’s second VBAC (Vaginal birth after C-section). The midwife came in and tried a couple of practice pushes with McKenna and decided that it was time. McKenna went through two and half hours of pushing with no breaks. She was focused on getting that baby down with every push.
She was surrounded with an incredible support team, her midwife helped her body with each push. Stretching her body, her husband on one side and mom on the other. I was in the back chanting with each push. The time was working against her. If she did not make more progress quicker then she would be forced to do a C-section. Her husband kneeled down and told her that she had thirty minutes left and it was all or nothing. At this point they brought in the doctor and she came in not messing around. With every push she pulled Harley down. Physically forcing her down into the birthing canal. McKenna was able to get to the point of crowning. As the doctor prepped the table, she told McKenna to wait and try not to push anymore. McKenna decided she did not want to wait any longer and with one more long push Harley Vivian McClain made her way into this world at 4:49 A.M on August 31st. We all waited for a faint cry and cheered when we heard her whimper. Tears swelled in her parents eyes and she was placed on her mother’s chest to seal the bond that was built after 41 weeks.
Harley was almost identical to her sisters with the same button nose and round head with very little hair. She weighed in at 7 Lbs 14 oz and was 20 3/4 inches of pure love and joy. I always wondered if women get nervous about being in front of the camera while going through something so vulnerable but McKenna had this to say.
“Trevee was not just a photographer ready to take photos, she was another support system and loved one. She has a gift for capturing the beauty of every moment. I honestly could not imagine having anyone else there with me. I encourage if you are even slightly interested in having your birth story photographed, you will not regret it. Having these photos will help me remember everything I went through on that day. I can look back and share them with Harley and her sisters. I am forever grateful for Trevee and her gift.”
