The first birth I photographed in Sweden
The first birth I ever witnessed happened in Sweden, at Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala.
I had been on call for this mum for weeks, and the baby didn't come when we were expecting it.
Linda (the mum) and I had met through Facebook, when I was looking for someone pregnant who would, in exchange for free portraits, give me permission to have their photos as part of my portfolio.
I had woken up very early that day to open the restaurant where I worked in Uppsala. I had my photography bag in my locker, ready, because I knew the baby could come at any time.
I spent yet another day at work, and I was about to go home when Linda texted me, saying they were getting ready to drive to the hospital. I had enough time to close the restaurant, grab my camera gear and drive towards them.
I got there just a bit after they checked in. It was my first birth and I was a bit nervous. Even if I had watched birth videos all my life and kind of knew what would happen, this was the first time I set a foot inside a Swedish hospital, and I think that made me even more nervous than the birth itself.
To my surprise, the hospital staff was very welcoming. Linda had communicated her wish to have me as their birth photographer and I was expected.
I found a corner in the delivery room where I could lay down my stuff and start working. Then I went through my gear again, making sure everything I would need was ready and at hand.
It was already very dark, which made it a bit harder for me to warm up and feel comfortable.
Mum seamed happy and calm. This would be her second child. In some way, knowing that she had gone through a birth before gave me some confidence in that she could guide me and let me know what was happening.
The birth progressed very slowly. Linda spent the whole night performing all kind of movements the midwife had suggested to try and reposition her baby, whose body was slightly twisted.
Morning came after a very long night without sleep, and with it, a new team of midwifes.
They came into the room with fresh energy when Linda most needed support and encouragement. Her baby would soon make it earth-side.
I was astonished by how helpful these midwifes were towards me. I felt like they really respected the work I was producing for this couple.
They made sure there was a good spot for me to capture the baby's face coming out. One of them even set a chair next to the bed for me to sit, and after just a few minutes I saw the most beautiful baby's head emerging from her mother's body.
Nobody knew the sex of the baby, and I was so excited to learn if it was a baby girl or boy 🙈
I couldn't believe I was finally witnessing a human's birth. I had looked forward to this moment all my life.
The little body followed the head out, and soon the baby made it to her mother's arms.
“It’s a girl!”
I remember looking at the little face, before she was fully born and thinking to myself “how can this baby be so beautiful?”
Her little face moved me deeply, during the seconds that passed from when we saw her for the first time and her body was completely out.
Then there was tension in the air. She wasn't getting enough air and had to be revived.
Mum and dad were quiet.
Worried.
The medical team didn't hesitate for a minute. They performed a perfect choreography to support the tiny baby.
We heard her cry within minutes, which washed the tension away and brought in tears of love and relief.
Even I was crying.
Meanwhile, a voice in my head said: “Hey! Wake up! You cannot let yourself flow with what's going on or you'll miss it. Pay attention to the camera!”
I left the room and the hospital feeling like something new was born within me with that baby. I felt confident and happy.
That night I realized I was made for this. I felt like I had been documenting births all my life.
I am in my element, and I know no better feeling.
With love 🤎✨
🕊️
