Gwendolyn – New Jersey Home Birth Photography

In my earliest childhood memory, I am sitting on the floor in the hallway of my home, eating bread with my Aunt Marianne.  I remember only those details.  I wasn’t yet three years old.  The rest I know from pictures and stories.  My baby sister was born that day, in our cozy little trailer home in Northern California.

My next experience with home birth came 31 years later, in a cozy house in New Jersey, where my friends Jenn and Michael welcomed their third baby girl.  Jenn had been having contractions on and off, and the due date had passed 10 days before, so Jenn and Michael were ready and waiting.  I was thrilled to get the call from Jenn that Thursday evening that the midwives were there and she was 6-7 centimeters.  My boys were in bed.  I nursed Jasper a little, knowing I might be gone for several hours, and then headed to Jenn and Michael’s house.  I arrived about 20 minutes after she called, assuming there would be time for some labor pictures.  I took one.  🙂

Five minutes later, Jenn gave birth to their baby, Gwendolyn Elizabeth, who was lovingly caught in her daddy’s arms.  It was natural and normal and amazing and beautiful.

Here, in pictures, is the story of the few minutes before, and the two hours following Gwendolyn’s birth.

This next picture is a little blurry, but I love it.  Such a cool, funny couple they are.

Gwendolyn’s big sisters slept soundly through the birth, and awoke in the morning to find their new baby sister.  I went back for more pictures that Saturday and will share those in another blog post!

If you are expecting a baby and are considering having your baby’s birth photographed, or if this is your first experience with birth photography and you like these pictures, but aren’t yet sure if it’s for you, please e-mail or call me.  I would love to talk about it with you.

maegandougherty@gmail.com

(201) 994-5610