Our Souls Were Singing at Roots Community Birth Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota | The Birth Story of Khalil

September 21st, 2018 | 10:49 pm

This was a quick birth! As I was rushing in the door almost exactly 30 minutes after I got the call, I heard mama’s birth roar and I rounded the corner into the birth suite with my camera in hand as she was lifting her baby to her chest. Big sister and mom’s mom (along with her wonderful doula) were by her side as she birthed her son and I’m so glad I got to be there to capture his first few hours. After mama delivered the placenta, she made her way to the bed with the help of her birth team. After a while, her daughter got to cut the cord and then they watched his newborn exam together. The whole time I was capturing moments for these lovely people, this song was playing on repeat in my head.

Welcome to the world, buddy! We’re so glad you’re here.

To book a Birth Story Session, contact me.

A Breech Belly Birth in Minneapolis | Rosie's Birth Story

August 24th, 2018 | 9:19 am

My lovely clients had their baby via cesarean section on a rainy Thursday morning. A combination of factors led to the decision to go in and get baby and one of my favorite things about the day was seeing mama's face light up when she was told that her baby was out bum-first and again when she heard that first sweet cry. Due to the surgical nature of this birth, some of these images are a bit bloody and I considered adding a warning to the top of this post but I ultimately decided not to. Birth can be bloody. Life, especially the life of a woman, is occasionally bloody. I see beauty in these images and I hope you do too.

Welcome to the world, sweet girl! We're so glad you're here!

Book your Birth Story Session today! 

And Baby Makes Five at Roots Birth Center | The Birth of Brooklynn Jade

August 22nd, 2018 | 3:34 pm

When LaTrice's midwives discovered thick meconium in her amniotic fluid, the decision was made to call an ambulance so that baby Brooklynn would have access to a NICU if aspiration took place. Thankfully, this sweet babe was born without complications at the hospital after a quick ride from the birth center. I walked in the room after finding a spot to park and Brooklynn was born less than two minutes later much to the delight of her relieved parents. After ensuring that she was doing well, her big brother and her big sister were invited into the room to meet her. 

Welcome to the world, sweet girl! We're so glad you're here! 

Reserve your spot on my calendar today! Spots fill up quickly!

Born at Willow Birth Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Florence's Birth Story

When Marlena reached out to me about documenting her birth, I was thrilled. We go all the way back to middle school and, though we hadn't kept in touch beyond being friends on the internet, I was so happy to hear from her. I had a blast documenting her little family at our prenatal documentary session (we spent the session singing, dancing, laughing, and playing -- what fun!) and I'm looking forward to our upcoming postpartum documentary session. Bring on the sweet sister snuggles!

Marlena's guess date was July 30th and, when she hired me, I had plans to be out of town for the first half of July. I thought about her often on my trip though I knew she'd be in excellent hands with my associate photographer. When I got home on July 22nd, she still hadn't delivered that babe and I gladly went on-call for her. Fast forward two and a half weeks and the births of four of my other clients' babies, and it looked like Marlena was finally in labor!  And she was, but it was slowwww going. Three days later after many updates, I got a message from Liz, her amazing doula, letting me know that I could probably head over to the birth center if I wanted to. I DID want to! So off I went. That sweet baby was born less than an hour after I arrived and those short moments before her birth were some of the most joyful and connected moments I've had the privilege of documenting. 

Between her gleeful parents, their wonderful doula, and the incredible staff at the birth center, there was so much love and joy in the room when baby Florence was born. 

Welcome to the world, Florence Hope! We're so glad you're here! 

7:07 pm | August 12th, 2012

*all images shared with permission and gratitude

Book your birth session today!

I'M HAPPY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIRTH AT THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS: 

Burnsville Ridges, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Maple Grove Hospital, Methodist Hospital, North Memorial Health Hospital, Regina Hospital in Hastings, Regions Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, St. Johns Hospital, The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital (Fairview Riverside), The Mother Baby Center at Abbot Northwestern, The Mother Baby Center at Mercy Hospital, The Mother Baby Center at United, and Woodwinds.

I ALSO LOVE DOCUMENTING AT THESE BIRTH CENTERS: 

Health Foundations Birth Center, Minnesota Birth Center (Minneapolis), Minnesota Birth Center (St. Paul), Roots Community Birth Center, and Willow Birth Center.

IN ADDITION TO HOSPITALS AND BIRTH CENTERS, I ALSO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING BIRTHS AT HOME (ASSISTED HOMEBIRTH OR UNASSISTED/FREEBIRTH):

Dearborn Midwives, Geneabirth, Mandala Midwifery Care, Modern Midwifery, North Star Midwifery, Peacefully Born Traditional Midwifery, Twin Cities Midwifery, and more!

First Glimpse Session | Kai's Birth Story in Photographs

Kai | August 11th, 2018 | 5:45 am

Many families in the Twin Cities are interested in documenting their baby's first day but don't know if they're ready to hire a birth photographer. If you're one of these families, my First Glimpse Session is an excellent option for you. I love telling your story even if your particular story doesn't begin until after the moment your baby arrives. There are so many lovely details you'll want to remember from your baby's first day like just how incredibly molded baby's head when he was born and the beginning of your breastfeeding relationship and the way you and your birth partner looked at each other in amazement after finally meeting your baby. I can help you preserve these moments. 

Your First Glimpse Session can also be scheduled during daylight hours, when siblings or grandparents are visiting, or anytime in the first 48 hours of baby's life. I happened to arrive at this particular First Glimpse session around the time that mama started pushing and was able to capture baby's moment of birth as well as a few supportive moments with papa while mama worked on delivering their babe. Many of my clients choose to use these photos for their printed birth announcement or send a few in a quick email to out of town friends and family showing off the newest member of the crew. Regardless of whether you decide to capture the time before, during, and after baby's delivery or just the sweet first moments after baby is born, I promise you'll cherish those moments forever.

Welcome to the world, Kai! We're so glad you're here! 

IN MINNEAPOLIS AND INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY? TALK TO MEREDITH TODAY.

"I can't believe we have a boy!" in Minneapolis | Rook Clayton's Birth Story in Photographs

Rook Clayton | August 7th, 2018 | 4:00 pm

Not only was Rook born on his big sister's birthday, he was born on the hour, just like his two sisters before him. His strong mama delivered him in one push after laboring down for a little while and his parents didn't clamp or cut his cord until a few hours after his birth so he could receive the full benefits of delayed cord clamping.

Welcome to the world, Rook! We're so glad you're here! 

A HANDFUL OF SNEAK PEEK IMAGES LIKE THESE ARE DELIVERED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BABY'S BIRTH. YOUR PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DOCUMENTARY MINI-SESSIONS AND A FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM YOUR BIRTH WITH A FULL PRINT RELEASE.

CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE.

A Second-Time Mama Delivers in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Carson's Birth Story in Photos

Carson Barry | August 3rd, 2018 | 2:25 am

It doesn't happen often, but sometime we birth photographers need to send a backup photographer to a birth if life gets in the way. In this instance, the lovely Bryanna of Swaddle Shots had a long-standing trip booked and this mama didn't go into labor until the day she went out of town. That's where I came in. Bryanna made sure her client was covered and I got to witness this sweet couple's amazing connection. You're going to see Mama beaming at her husband moments after she birthed their baby. You're going to see Dad looking at his baby and his wife in awe. And you just might tear up like I teared up in my time with these wonderful people. I'm so honored to have been able to document the birth of their second babe. 

Welcome to the world, Carson! We're so glad you're here! 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER TO DOCUMENT YOUR LABOR AND DELIVERY EXPERIENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL, OR THE SURROUNDING AREAS IN MINNESOTA, LET'S TALK! I'M EXPERIENCED AT HOSPITAL, BIRTH CENTER, AND HOME BIRTHS, AND I'VE DOCUMENTED (AND BEEN THE DOULA AT!) VBACS, TWINS, SURROGACY, WATER, MEDICATED, EPIDURAL, SAME SEX, AND CESAREAN BIRTHS.

A Homebirth Transfer in the Twin Cities | Evelyn's Birth Story

Evelyn Lucy | July 27th, 2018 | 10:46 am

In mama's words: "Little Evelyn Lucy surprised us at the end of labor. She decided during pushing to flip footling breech. And although her homebirth ended in a cesarean, I had the most amazing and intense birthing experience. I had my incredible husband around, two skilled and supportive midwives, and one of my best friends as my doula. I loved our birth and love our littlest lady even more."

Welcome to the world, Evelyn! We're so glad you're here! 

A HANDFUL OF SNEAK PEEK IMAGES LIKE THESE ARE DELIVERED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BABY'S BIRTH. YOUR Package also includes COMPLIMENTARY PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DOCUMENTARY MINI-SESSIONS AND A FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM YOUR BIRTH WITH A FULL PRINT RELEASE.

CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE.

A Surrogate Pregnancy and Birth in Minnesota | The Birth Stories of Kai and Claire

May 20th, 2018 | 3: 36 am + 3:44 am

To learn more about Yelena, the babies' surrogate, visit her amazing website.

“I’m a writer by trade. This means I usually pack a lot of information in as few inches of text as possible. Why? Short attention spans. But this post deserves inches galore in order to get a very specific point across: if you have the patience to get through these 1,200 words, you will have experienced just 1/1,000th of the patience and commitment needed to have a baby via surrogacy. Give me 5 minutes of your time and I’ll tell you about an amazing surrogacy journey years in the making.

Let me preface by saying that I can only speak to my part in this story. I was the baby oven. The couple’s journey was far longer with its own unique set of emotional, physical and financial challenges.

Becoming a surrogate was not an insta-decision. Ten years ago doctors said I may have trouble getting pregnant. I had polycystic ovarian syndrome and was morbidly obesity. Five years later and 150 pounds lighter, I got pregnant a month after we started trying. Having a child is unlike anything I’ve experienced (and I’ve experienced some amazing things), and it’s hard to really understand that until you’re holding your newborn child.

Fast-forward about four years. I saw a Facebook post about surrogacy and thought, “What if I could use my newfound health to help someone experience parenthood?” And from that moment, no one could talk me out of it.

Through a referral from a friend, I connected with a wonderful agency in Chicago that would help match me to a couple. When being matched, you definitely want to work with someone who feels “right” since you’re dedicating so much time to the process and putting your health at risk. I was looking for someone optimistic and easygoing. I picked Zach and Devin for these reasons and so many more.

When you choose a couple, many ‘what ifs’ follow: what if their clinic doesn’t accept me due to my medical history? What if the couple doesn’t want to work with me? What if we ultimately don’t click? What if the embryos don’t stick? It’s a leap of faith for all involved.

After our first Skype ‘date,’ I was extremely excited and hopeful they would choose me as their surrogate. Looking back now, I feel so lucky that Zach and Devin picked me. Once matched, I went through physical and psychological evaluations to make sure I was prepared for surrogacy. We got through the contractual paperwork fairly quickly (which is not always the case for other matches). Most importantly, we agreed on the primary issue: they will take the babies and I will not.

Once the paperwork was signed, I started giving myself shots to prepare for embryo transfer. I gave myself a shot every morning for one month – I am still surprised I had it in me to do that! Anyone who has ever gone through the in-vitro fertilization process understands all too well.

On September 26, 2017, the doctor in Chicago transferred two embryos – one boy and one girl. The eggs came from one donor (not me) and the sperm came from both fathers, meaning each father would have a biological child and the twins would technically be half-siblings because they have the same biological mother. The hardest part came next: the two-week wait to find out if I was pregnant. I did everything I could to provide these embryos with the most inviting uterus they have ever encountered. I peed on more pregnancy tests than I want to admit. With each pregnancy test, the positive line got darker and darker. We felt both hesitant and excited. It wasn’t until we saw two little gummy bears on the first ultrasound that it really sunk in that we were pregnant.

At first the weeks went by slowly. I was very sick until well into the second trimester. I couldn’t look at food without throwing up. I went through some pretty difficult things physically but I woke up every morning, stood in front of the mirror and told myself, “Just one more day.” When you are doing something for a greater purpose, you surprise yourself with how much you can handle. Zach and Devin were extremely supportive and loving toward me — a random stranger that decided to infiltrate their life during a very vulnerable time. I honestly could not have asked for more support from them and their family. They kept in constant contact throughout the pregnancy, drove five hours each way for many ultrasounds and included me in their baby shower.

Once we hit the third trimester, reality set in that two amazing humans were about to make their debut. Throughout the pregnancy, I made it clear that I wanted to have as natural of a birth as possible and Zach and Devin were supportive. I had my son at a birthing center and was unmedicated. Although twins pose many more challenges than a singleton, I still wanted to have a vaginal birth if the stars aligned. During my 35th week, the dads decided to travel to the Twin Cities and camp out so they could be present for the labor. The following week, a doctor recommended induction to make sure both babies could continue growing properly outside the womb. I knew that an induction could potentially mean using Pitocin and inevitably an epidural, so we decided to break my water first to see if we could get the labor started without meds.

After breaking my water, I went through about 10 hours of contractions until they slowed to a stop. Pitocin was our only choice to get things going and boy did it ever! My sister, doula, Zach and Devin helped me tremendously throughout the worst of it. Although I really wanted to have another unmedicated labor, the pain of the Pitocin-induced contractions was too much to bear. I got an epidural and let me just say, that option (when needed) is magical! Within a few hours, I was ready to give birth and was wheeled into the operating room (where twins are delivered due to the possibility of complications).

The dads and Meredith, our birth photographer, joined me. I am so incredibly happy that we decided to hire Meredith because these are moments we could not have captured on our own. The twins were born vaginally eight minutes apart in the early morning hours of May 20, 2018. Kai and Claire weighed 4lbs 8oz and 4lbs 10oz, respectively. Neither of them needed oxygen or a feeding tube – just a little time in the NICU to adjust to feedings and pass all necessary tests.

This process has been nothing short of amazing. As a surrogate, you go through a lot of ups and downs physically and emotionally. Sometimes you’re not quite sure if you can handle one more day. But the day you see the intended parents holding their newborn children… that day makes every second of hardship worth it. Getting to see Zach and Devin hold Kai and Claire those first moments will forever be a highlight of my life. There is truly no experience like it.”

— Yelena, Claire and Kai's surrogate

Welcome to the world, Kai and Claire! We're oh so glad that you're here.

Interested in learning more? Contact Meredith!

Surrounded by Family and Friends at Roots Community Birth Center | The Birth Story of Robyn Quincia Zakiyah

June 11th, 2018 | 7:57 pm

Welcome to the world, Robyn! We're so glad you're here!

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHED? TALK TO MEREDITH TODAY.

I'M HAPPY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIRTH AT THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS: 

Burnsville Ridges, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Maple Grove Hospital, Methodist Hospital, North Memorial Health Hospital, Regina Hospital in Hastings, Regions Hospital, Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, St. Johns Hospital, The Birthplace at University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital (Fairview Riverside), The Mother Baby Center at Abbot Northwestern, The Mother Baby Center at Mercy Hospital, The Mother Baby Center at United, and Woodwinds.

I ALSO LOVE DOCUMENTING AT THESE BIRTH CENTERS: 

Health Foundations Birth Center, Minnesota Birth Center (Minneapolis), Minnesota Birth Center (St. Paul), Roots Community Birth Center, and Willow Birth Center.

IN ADDITION TO HOSPITALS AND BIRTH CENTERS, I ALSO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING BIRTHS AT HOME (ASSISTED HOMEBIRTH OR UNASSISTED/FREEBIRTH):

Dearborn Midwives, Geneabirth, Mandala Midwifery Care, Modern Midwifery, North Star Midwifery, Peacefully Born Traditional Midwifery, Twin Cities Midwifery, and more!

Birth After Loss in Hastings, Minnesota | The Birth Story of Ezra Jean

May 23rd, 2018 | 6:44 pm

Almost exactly 24 hours after they arrived at the hospital, she delivered their baby. It was the most hands-off and respectful hospital birth I’ve seen. Her providers were patient and they honored her preferences for intermittent monitoring and no interventions, and they “allowed” her to birth how and when she wanted. Her husband was a hero -- steady and sure and the absolute best birth partner, remaining oh so very present during the moments where she mourned the death of her mother or became overwhelmed by her labor.

Named in part after his grandmother, who passed away while he was in utero, Ezra is the spitting image of his big brother and is already loved by so many people, including me. Welcome to the world, buddy. I’m so glad you’re here.

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHED? TALK TO MEREDITH TODAY.

A Sunny Afternoon Birth at the Minnesota Birth Center | The Birth Story of Ethan

May 15th, 2018 | 4:01 pm

Welcome to the world, little guy! 

SNEAK PEEK IMAGES LIKE THESE ARE INCLUDED IN MY BIRTH STORY SESSION: PHOTOS + FILMS PACKAGE ALONG WITH YOUR COMPLIMENTARY PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM DOCUMENTARY MINI-SESSIONS, A MINUTE-LONG BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT FILM, A FULL-LENGTH BIRTH STORY FILM, AND A FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES FROM YOUR BIRTH WITH A FULL PRINT RELEASE.

CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE.

Birth Story: Alicia + Mark

Grace Josephine | May 30th | 4:03 pm | 9 lbs 3 oz | 22.5 inches

Welcome to the world, Grace!

A Calm and Healing Birth Center Birth Story: Kristen + Ben

Asher Benjamin Robert | May 29th | 11:17 am | 9 lbs 1.5 oz | 21.5 inches

Welcome to the world, buddy! 

Amazingly Fast First Time Hospital Birth Story: Kristina + Matt

Wesley Matthew | May 12th | 12:50 am | 7 lbs 2oz | 20 inches

What a night! I left the house at 11:30 pm and was back home and in bed by 3 am. Sweet Kristina's labor was slow going until it wasn't. By the time I arrived, things were fast and furious and she was such a trooper. She went from a 7 to a 10 in about 30 minutes and pushed that baby out in 5 minutes flat. I love how expressive everyone in the room was -- her grandma breaking down during a particularly intense moment, Matt's look of love when he first laid eyes on his baby, and Kristina's awe upon seeing her placenta!

Welcome to the world, Wesley! We're so glad you're here.

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE? CHECK OUT MY PRICING, MY BIRTH STORY ARCHIVES, OR VIEW MY TESTIMONIALS.