Meet April and Claude. And inside that sweet belly is baby CJ, named after his daddy. Their journey to this moment was a long and hard one. This is the story of the joyful, family-centered, gentle Cesarean birth of their little boy, facilitated by the incredible team at Full Circle Women’s Care. I’m so grateful to Full Circle for allowing me into the operating room so that this beautiful family could have images and support during one of the most important moments of their life.

“My husband and I woke up and prayed that all go well and mommy and baby come home healthy. I’ve never felt such humbleness and peace before. We drove to the hospital in complete silence, periodically saying ‘Today is the day.’

Once I completed all registration, it was game time! Within thirty minutes of being in my room, I met three nurses, the nurse anesthetist, anesthesiologist, a midwife, and my OB/GYN, all explaining to my husband and I the roles they will play and what to expect during surgery.

Surprisingly I was not nervous. I was excited and ready to gain the title as mommy!”

Claude and I suited up and walked with April down the hall. April went into the operating room while dad and I waited outside.

He had both his and April’s cell phones, fielding a flood of text messages from loved ones who were excitedly awaiting updates about CJ’s arrival. He is so loved already!

Claude and I talked about what he could expect in the operating room, and I answered his questions. He was so eager to know exactly how things would go, and how he could best support April. There was a chair placed for him to sit and wait, but he had too much energy for sitting: he was ready to go!

When April was prepped and ready for surgery, Claude and I were welcomed in.

“The team in the surgery room was amazing: nurses, midwives, doctors and my husband really made me feel at ease!

I was talked through the entire process on what was happening and what to expect.

It was a beautiful birthing experience. My husband was so nervous. He asked me over 1,000 times if I was okay, and each time I assured him I was fine and didn’t feel a thing.”

The lights in the operating room were dimmed. The surgical team quieted their voices and focused their conversation around the work at hand. Music quietly played in the background. The room was calm, peaceful, and positive.

Within a few minutes, CJ was safely brought earthside.

Full Circle offers a clear drape, so that the parents have the option to see their baby right away.

“When I laid eyes on him, I felt complete and whole!

All the pain I endured to get him here no longer mattered! He was truly god sent to mend my heart!”

CJ was quickly brought over to his parents so they could get a good look at him up close.

“He looked just like my husband, as I expected.

CJ had so much hair! He was absolutely beautiful.”

After a few minutes, Claude and I accompanied him to the warmer.

The OB had cut the cord long, so that dad could trim it, giving him the classic experience of cutting the cord.

April and Claude were both so curious about his weight, so they quickly weighed him. He was a perfect seven pounds and one ounce. They assessed his vitals, but delayed the rest of the newborn exam so that he could go to his mama.

A quick selfie with dad!

Within minutes, CJ was snuggled securely in his new favorite spot on mom’s chest.

Her midwife stayed by her head, keeping one hand on CJ and making sure everyone was safe.

CJ started rooting, instinctively looking for the breast, even just minutes old.

“Feeding my son for the first time felt like a dream come true! I felt a new purpose in life to protect and provide.”

CJ updated their loved ones, sending pictures and answering their questions.

The surgical team finished up their work, carefully and quietly going over every detail. They communicated with April as they worked, explaining any pressure or sensations she might be feeling.

April was quiet, calmly taking in the moment and bonding with her long-awaited son.

CJ was swaddled and handed over to dad so the team could finish up and move April off of the operating table and onto a hospital bed.

April’s doctor came around and spoke to her about how things went and about her recovery. They shared smiles and laughter, and spoke about how much hair CJ had!

One of the surgical team members used her hand to show April the size of her incision and spoke of how great of a job her doctor had done.

While Claude was completely in love with his son in his arms, his eyes never strayed from April for more than a few seconds. He was so in tune with her and reassured her from across the room.

Even with her spinal in place, the uterine massage was an intense sensation. April took some deep breaths and soon it was over. She was moved to a hospital bed and CJ was brought back to her.

April and CJ were wheeled together from the OR back to their room. Her nurse helped her get comfortable and helped them establish breastfeeding.

Claude video chatted with their family, laughing as he said, “He and I are going to the barber shop next week!”

April was quiet and reflective as she rested with her son, finally there, safely in her arms.

“CJ is truly my rainbow baby, after two ectopic pregnancies, three rounds of IVF, a miscarriage, and delivering stillborn twins. I never gave up! I trusted God and believed!”

April and Claude, I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into this moment. The strength and beauty of Cesarean birthing mothers is breathtaking. I wish you all the joy in the world as you raise your son!

A huge thank you to the doctors, midwives, and staff of Full Circle and St. Vincent’s Southside for allowing me to support this family and document their son’s birth. Welcoming a photographer and doula into the OR is something that every family deserves, and you are paving the way for families to have more peaceful and fulfilling birthing experiences. Thank you!!!

-Dallas

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