Epidurals. Then Joy.

They say that what you put out into the universe you get back. I started looking at work online (typical creative person tendency) and birthing photography kept popping up, it was Raw, real and a level of emotion and truth that I don't think can be rivalled by any other genre. My brain started to fester, "I think this is something I need to do".

Weirdly enough soon after I received a message from Fiona who was due in about 2-3 weeks and wasn't sure if her husband Toby was going to be able to make it back from site in time, he was in the middle of nowhere (Pilbara style) and we had had a lot of rain that had been flooding the roads (Not normally Pilbara style). She wanted to be able to capture as much as she could for him incase he couldn't make it.

We decided to meet for coffee (this is a tradition I have with all my clients, perk of the job), I thought it was best she meet me, felt comfortable and actually wanted me to be a part of one of the important and intense days of her life (she already has two delightful little ladies). It was friendship at first sight and we got along strait away. We started talking plans and how everything was going to go down. I hadn't been in a birth before so I was keen to explain how I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't pass out and I was also concerned I would never want kids of my own after seeing the real deal. Don't get me wrong, I was realistic about what happened in a birth, I have friends, they have been honest. VERY honest (Thanks guys, appreciate it. Kinda).

My phone was on loud, it was on vibrate, it was on every form of noise making it could be on. It came with me to the toilet, into the gym, everywhere. I was NOT going to miss this and I was looking at images everyday to mentally prepare myself so I could do everything I could to help.

I woke up one morning to go the the gym at 5am, turn my alarm off in my morning haze and read "I've gone into labor, contractions are coming fast, heading to the hospital now." THIS WAS AT 12PM!!! The rate at which I sprung out of bed just about put my back out!, my phone message wasn't on loud (rooky mistake, I won't make it again). I got to the hospital as quick as I could, whilst obeying every road and speed rule of course. I pleaded with the lady at emergency to let me through. Keeping in mind I thought Toby was still out on site, thinking I'd missed it, thinking she had driven herself to hospital!! Not ideal. 

It wasnt too late, the epidural had slowed the situation down, lovely, not for Fiona, she had had enough but I'm not going to lie, I was pretty stoked. But now my job began, I was involved and there was no going back for Fiona or myself. 

Fiona was calm, collected, on task but so. Bloody. Tired. I'm sure all mums can relate, if you have gone into labor at night its not just the night you've been in labor, its the fact that you are pushing a human out of you and you haven't slept since the night before. Thats right, you were awake all day, all night (with labor) and now its the next morning and now you will have a new born and probably won't sleep through for about another year (keeping in mind she already has two girls).  

Things get intense and they get there quickly, unbelievably 3 hours have already passed, breakfast comes in, Toby and I scoff some toast and a banana, we had both been working so hard (Just joking). Midwife number one reluctantly goes home and changes over with midwife number two and Adriene the trainey Dr is informing me about the birds and the bees and whats about to happen. I was pretty blown away at how much I still didnt know as a 29 year old. 

Things start to escalate, the drugs start to ware off, I'm getting looks from Toby which basically say "You ready for this?" I look back and tellepathically reply "Nahhh, nah I don't think I am, but its happening anyway". 

Bubba Max is Born, it was amazing, it was the perfect first birth to be at, it was terrifyingly great and soooo cool! Fiona you are a god damned superwoman! Thank you so much for asking me to be there for Max's birthday. "They" say you never forget your first, that everything happens for a reason, and "they" are completely right. All my clients are special to me, but this experience is one that I will never forget and poor little Max's photo board at his 21st is going to be intensely embarrassing I'd say lol.

Toby and Fiona, thank you again. Truely one of the most if not the most amazing experience of my life to date.