What's the Big Secret?!?!
Let's be honest, having a baby is very serious! People don't realize how hard giving birth can be! I'm not sure why it's not talked about more! Was anyone going to tell me about that sexy underwear you get to wear after giving birth?!?! Oh and let's not forget the ice packs!
I went into labor with my first daughter on a Thursday and didn't have her until Sunday. My Dad and I were born on a Sunday so I thought it was very special that she came on a Sunday. She was very comfy in there. Her delivery is just like her personality. Laid back, turn the music up, put the windows down and a total Tomboy kinda gal! :)
I went 41 1/2 weeks with both of my daughters. I just assumed that I would be able to have a natural birth like some of my girlfriends and decided to not get an epidural. You see, not all births are the same, which unfortunately for some reason someone forgot to mention that to me. Some women are baby makers and some it's harder for. Like lucky me LOL...I made it to 8 cm and started having back labor and the baby was sunny side up. I was in so much pain and had been up for hours. I was completely exhausted and eventually got the epidural. My daughter was born vaginally 20 minutes later. I remember my husband saying, couldn't you have done that yesterday haha! I had this vision that it was going to go so much smoother, but things don't always work out as planned. I have come quite good at not having all these expectations with young children and just try to live in the moment. Life is always going to throw curve balls and to be honest, I would do anything to go back to that newborn phase. Not to scare you, but that's the easy part! I tell my husband..”wait until Middle and High School!!! You're in for a real treat!” When parents and family members tell you it goes by fast they aren't kidding! My daughters are 8 and 7 now, but I'll always cherish those moments when they were newborns. That newborn stage and the 6/9 month age was one of my favorites! I loved being pregnant and literally can give you every detail when my daughters were born. I have a terrible memory, but remember both of their births like it was yesterday. There really is nothing like it; it is such a special moment.
With my second daughter I remember saying she'll come earlier; it's my second. Nope she had her own plans too, but let me tell you something, when she was ready she popped right out! I barely made it to the hospital. I was fortunate to have my husband's Aunt deliver both of my daughters. She was the head nurse at Franklin Square for over 40 years. I remember arriving at the hospital the day after Thanksgiving. For those wondering...yes I was having contractions during our large family Thanksgiving dinner. I think my husband even said jokingly that week, "you think you could wait until Friday"? I love Thanksgiving and the Ravens are playing...can I get an eye roll LOL. Anyway once I arrived I was 5 cm and I told his Aunt, "great, let's get the epidural going." She said, "you don't want to try for a natural birth?” I said, "absolutely not!" I got the epidural and was still in terrible pain. I told my husband, "it's not working!" he said, "I'm sure you are overreacting! " Nope I know that pain...trust me! We called his Aunt in and she checked me and yup the baby's head was right there! Out popped our second daughter with a vengeance and she hasn't stopped since. As we like to say...she goes by the beat of her own drum. She keeps us on our toes and we wouldn't change it for the world! Remember I mentioned earlier about their personalities coming out during birth. Well my daughters hit the nail right on the head! My youngest is rolling the windows up, it's windy, turning the music down, it's too loud and a total girly girl kinda of gal! Maybe that's why they get along so well because they are completely opposites!
I'm going into my 10th year of being a photographer. I absolutely love capturing people's special moments and love photographing newborns. Being able to see my work hung on your walls of your home brings me so much joy!
I'm sure you can imagine after all these years working with newborns, families and toddlers I have heard it all! I actually thought about writing a book, but for now I'm going to blog. Thank you for your support for my small business! I greatly appreciate it! You can go to https://www.kerryparadisphotography.com/maternity-newborn you can check out my portfolio.
