I received the text in the middle of the night but didn’t see it until morning. It was from one of my September birth-center photography clients. Mom was in labor and they were at the hospital. This mama was only at 29 weeks, so I assumed they would be able to stop labor. I don’t know all the details, however when I called in the morning I found that they were giving her the medication to develop baby’s lungs. Baby was coming despite everyone’s best efforts.

That afternoon I went to the hospital ready to shoot a birth. Not too longer after arriving, labor stalled. Amazingly mom & her body was able to hang on for another day and a half, ensuring all the medicine to develops baby’s lungs had a chance to work. When labor started picked up again, I received the call to come back to the hospital.

Baby Rowan surprised all of us by arriving @ 29wks 3days weighing 3lbs 6oz! Rather than being born at the Birth Center the parents’ had chosen, he was born in a hospital O.R. with a NICU staff of five waiting for him. He came out looking great, getting just a little oxygen but needing nothing else. He was able to be held by mom and dad for a few moments before being taken to the special care nursery.

About three weeks after Rowan’s birth, I went back to the hospital to take a couple more shots of this family all together. Though not out of the Special Care nursery yet, he is gaining weight and looking fantastic!

Much thanks to this lovely set of parents for letting me share in their special day!