I realized that I never shared the beautiful photos my brother took after Lucia was born. Our intention was for him to be there to photograph the birth. I was in the middle of intense labor when my doula asked if we should call him. At the moment, the thought of having a person snapping pictures during my contractions really set me off. So I asked her to wait. I didn't think of it again until it was almost time to push. So....he missed the birth. I was really bummed about it for a while, thinking I would have loved to have the birth and everything that led up to it photographed. In hindsight, I think it was good he wasn't there. I'm glad he was able to capture what he did, but obviously my gut knew that I wouldn't be entirely comfortable with photography during my labor.
Here are a few of the photos...
This was taken almost right after Lu was born. I was in the herbal bath my midwife prepared waiting for Lu to come join me. I remember feeling so exhilarated...though you may not see that on my face here.
This photo right here is my favorite of the bunch. I literally gasped when I first saw it. I remember just being in awe of this little person that I was holding. And still totally shocked Lu was a girl. I was convinced my entire pregnancy that I was having a boy.
Right after our bath the midwife took Lu to weigh her. She used an old, metal scale. I remember looking at the scale and wondering how many babies had been weighed on it. So many. I also remember that I had washed our towels the night before and they were still in the dryer. I'm pretty sure I had to ask the midwife's apprentice to go get them out of the dryer for us in the middle of labor.
Here she is on the scale...I love seeing her wrinkly skin in this one. She weighed 7lbs 6 oz....just two ounces more than Z.
Still in the bathroom...Joe and the midwife dressed Lu while I soaked in the tub.
Joe with Lu after they got her dressed. He told me that when he got back to the room it was all cleaned up from the birth already. Those apprentices are fast! I love the look on his face here....exhaustion and joy (he worked pretty hard during the labor and birth too).
This photo is so interesting to me. It's right after my bath. I remember feeling so relieved and incredibly empowered...but I look totally wiped out. Our priest is praying for us and Joe is beside me holding Lu. Our doula is on the floor nursing her son. This moment felt strangely sacred. There was a lot of love in that room.
This was taken in the evening, after Joe and I returned from the emergency room. I had to go to get sutured since our midwife does not suture. Azalia had been out with her Abita (short for Abuelita) and Tia Sarah all day. They took her out to celebrate her birthday, which was the following day. Although Z was present for the birth, this was the first time she got to hold her sister. I'm so glad that my brother captured this moment.
Many, many thanks to my brother, Nate, for these after birth photos. They are such a treasure.
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