I really don’t know where I will find the words for what this experience meant to me. I have heard for so many years how amazing it is to witness a birth, I have only been present for the birth of my own children and its really not the same. The only word that comes to mind for me is MIRACLE! It was by far one of the most amazing moments of my life, I am so blessed to say I was there to witness my first granddaughters birth, and also to be able to document it.
So this is how it all went down. Miss Posey was already almost 2 weeks overdue and everyday seemed like eternity waiting and waiting for something to happen. I set out on thursday June 12th to Port Hawksbury to pick up my new camera. received a text from Brittany saying they were going to induce her but sent her home. about two hours later I got the second text saying she was definitely being induced that afternoon. Of course my excitement levels shot through the roof and couldn’t get home and to the hospital fast enough. There was only one thing, I had a photo shoot happening that day, ironically enough it was for a grandmother and her granddaughter, she was very understanding and rescheduled our session.
We arrive at the hospital by supper time Brittany on her first round of gel, which did nothing for her but cramp her up. So the second round was tried, still no action. We eventually retired to the hospital waiting room, myself, auntie Lakyn and Kristen( Brits longtime best friend) who came to us bearing blankets and pillows for our little hospital sleepover. We woke up the next morning with the doctor possibly gearing us for a c- section which I so didn’t want. I wanted to be there with Brittany and Tim and witness the birth of this little one. At that point though I just really wanted to get this baby out safely. They had a full house the morning of Friday the 13th so they put off Brittany until things settled down some. I thought this would be the best time for me to head home shower, and change my clothes. I sat out on my back step before heading back in to say some prayers that a natural delivery would happen and that our baby would be born safe and sound. As I had my little moment I spotted a little bird up in one of my trees struggling to fly away but appeared to have something wrong with his little wing. I watched him struggle like this for a few minutes and then off he flew. I knew at that moment things were going to be just fine. I am a little witchy or whatever you may want to call it but I read into so many things as signs in life.
Back at the hospital and they are ready to try one more time to get Brittany’s labour going. So the ole drip was started. Its seemed to be instantly pains were starting, We had to wait things out for a while before we would know how things were progressing. This is the point where I couldn’t bear seeing my girl in such pain. Knowing all to well what she was feeling and not a darn thing I could do for her. All I could do was breath with her for every contraction and hope they would come fast with those drugs. After about 2 hours on the drip she was finally starting to dilate only 2 but at least it was starting. Within 5 minutes of being checked we heard “My water just broke.” Finally things were happening and happening fast. The magic epidural man then appeared and boy were we happy to see him! After seeing the difference in Brittany I honestly couldn’t believe the difference in her pain levels. So ladies why would anyone having a baby today want to opt for au natural!! there is no prize being given out at that end of this ( well besides your baby) Get the darn Epidural! upon next check our Brittany was at 8 cm. Things were getting very close and my heart was racing! Pressure was beginning to come fast and I knew next check she would be showtime. The nurse was putting things off a bit until Brits urgency called for a final check. She was ready to push! I have to add that we had a fabulous nurse with us and she did an amazing job! Alicia Doyle we were so happy to have you with us for the birth of Posey and we were so glad you made it before your shift was over. I also have to say a big thanks for allowing me in with my camera! I know its not everyday you have a crazy grandmother in looking like she’s ready for combat with two big cameras gunslinged over her shoulders. I so appreciate having permission to be able to perserve the miracle of her birth. I didn’t think my first shoot with my new camera would be capturing the birth of my granddaughter but I am glad it was.
We are now in push mode and nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming flood of emotions I was feeling. I stayed up by Brit holding her hand with every push and talking her through it all! Tim the proud daddy to be was all smiles and not missing a thing on what was going on down below! I would peek over every now and then to see how far off she was. I knew with about her 3rd last push that we were almost ready to for this baby to be born. I think thats also about when I started loosing it. Crying uncontrollably and trying to get my cameras geared up for the birth! I am really not sure how I pulled it off through my steady stream of tears. I wasn’t concerned about settings or exposure being nailed. I was 100% shooting from the heart and just went crazy snapping and crying. Tim said to me after “I am not sure how you got so many shots with how emotional you were”. When her tiny little body finally slipped into the world I scanned like crazy to see what we had! Once I saw that she was a girl then I was gone again. Did I want a girl? yea I can’t lie I really did! I looked at Brit saying its a girl its a girl! Brit and Tim I thought had a name chosen for our girl. However Tim said he wanted to talk about it. I am thinking of goodness I loved the name they chose why do they need to chat?? So I left to announce to the gang in the waiting room that we had a beautiful baby girl.
When I came back into the delivery room and asked if we had a name, they announced it to me and my heart skipped a beat. Posey Arthina it is. Posey was agreed on but Tim wasn’t sold on the original middle name chosen. Arthina was my late moms name. I asked Brit days later where Arthina came from because I had not heard her mention it before and she said it came to her in the delivery room after she was born. I really got a shiver down my spine when she told me this. As Brittany was pushing I felt a strong presence of my mom. I was thinking of her being at my side when I deliverd Brit and how I was so glad she was there with me for the 3 of my children. Its such a full circle moment! I couldn’t be more proud that she is named after her great grandmother who I know was with us during her delivery!
So I think I will get to the photos to tell her story as I am more of a picture story teller than a word story teller. These photos are as real and raw as you can get! I was elated to be a part of this miracle! Thank you Lord for this blessing!
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