Count on Me

At 1:59pm “we’re heading to the birth center” appears on my iPhone screen. Camera is packed and I am ready, anxiously waiting for this moment. I decide to start driving to the birthing center around 3pm to hangout nearby, grab some food, and relax in the car. Even though this is her first baby, you just never know right? 3:40pm and her Husband messages me with an update, “she is 6/7 fully effaced” and this is my cue to head straight there.

Within five minutes I walk into her birthing room, uplifting music playing through the speaker. “True to Myself” by Ziggly Marley. Her Mother holding her water bottle as she sips between contractions. Walking the room with her Husband right beside her. Every birth worker that enters the room immediately, smiles. The atmosphere so calm. peaceful. empowerment filling the air. “I love her music” whispered the nurse.

As I am documenting the beginning of her birth, I notice on the clock above the bathroom door, every two minutes her contractions are coming, rolling in like steady waves. The pool begins to fill. We all know, someone beautiful is coming soon…

Location: Natural Beginnings Birthing Center, Statesville, NC