Michigan Birth Photographer | An Adoption story

Michigan Birth Photographer | An Adoption story

As many of you know I branched out into the world of Birth photography last year. It’s been a crazy journey,  I am so honored that these couples have allowed me into their birthing room. Seeing the emotion, the pain, the love and the coming together has been both rewarding and at times intimidating. All of these elements have made me look forward to building this part of my business and  continue to document Michigan births of all kinds.

When I was contacted regarding documenting this birth story I was asked to keep the identity of the birth mother private.   While I did capture moments with the child’s parents and the birth mother those images will not be shown within this blog post for that reason.

This story was my first Adoption story. Adoption has always held a place near and dear to my heart. The act of one giving up a child after carrying it for 9 months so that child can have a better life is simply the most selfless thing I can think of.  As I chatted with the adoptive mother about this story I became very emotionally attached to this couple. The little bits of infomation we discussed leading up to the day did not fully prepare me for what the day had in store.

Emotions ran high at the hospital when I arrived. Brii and Joe were in the waiting room waiting to be taken back to spend time with the women who was carrying their child. Brii expressed to me that over the last 6 months they had built a strong bond  and had become friends. I adored the way she spoke of her, and about their relationship.

Shortly after my arrival we were taken to the couples room where they would stay with their little one after he arrived. A Dr. came in to discuss post birth options and also have a discussion about Neonatal abstinence syndrome. I had no idea this could have been a complication but  I completely understood why Brii and I did not discuss this before the birth.

Hearing them discuss what the side effects of this could be brought me to tears. I was overwhelmed with so many unique emotions. Emotions that I didn’t feel I had the right to feel. I was overwhelmed with joy that this baby would have two amazing parents who were willing to leave their lives behind in another state thousands of miles away to be here day and night with their child until he was well enough to come home. I was saddened by the choices made for this child that he could not control prior to being born. I was in awe of this situation unfolding in front me.

 We waited and waited to be informed on the progress. We waited and waited to be taken in to see the the birth mother. Brii was suited up and ready to be part of the c-section, she was ready to see her baby but  there seemed to be a little miscommunication with hospital staff and the birth mother’s requests.  Once we were finally able to see the birth mother the mood completely changed. Everyone relaxed, they laughed and joked with each other. It felt so calm and peaceful.  At last it was time for the scheduled c-section. Joe and I waited while Brii was in the room for the C-section. I heard the cries of  a new baby and within 10 mins we heard the door open, a nurse pushing this sweet baby out explained to us that he would have to go to the NICU because the was having a hard time breathing on his own.

We moved quickly into the NICU where Joe and Brii were able to see, touch and be with their new baby boy. Sadly at this time they could not yet hold him due to the complications of Neonatal abstinence syndrome. He couldn’t yet breath on his own and needed O2. As he laid there shivering, he was quite, almost in a sleepy like state. I was in awe at this new little life, I was concerned about what was going on with him and I felt unsure of his future. I didn’t know if I should turn and hug Brii or continue capturing her story. Although I struggled to make this decision I quickly remembered why I was here at this moment, I was there to document this story. The good, the bad, the smiles and tears so that is what I did.

As you can see from these images, there were tears, there was laughter, there were sweet heartfelt embraces and this was their story.

Captured Couture is a Detroit, Michigan Birth photographer specializing in modern storytelling. Available for sessions in Detroit, Birmingham, Novi, Royal Oak and Ann Arbor.

Interested in having Captured Couture preserve memories for you? Contact Jennifer

 Email: Jennifer@capturedcouture.com 

Phone: 248-891-2124