The birth of Ayla was supposed to happen at home, but as anyone who has birthed a baby, attended a birth, or knows someone who falls into one of those categories, babies and the birth of those babies are unpredictable and have minds of their own.
On May 1st, I received the call from Lindsay that Ayla was still breech and therefore she would not be taking her first breath at home as planned and instead would be delivered via c-section. Despite this big change in her birth plan, Lindsay was so positive. She said she didn't care because either way she and Simon were meeting their baby girl in a few years and that's all that mattered.
Simon and Lindsay struggled with infertility for over a year and after working with their doctor, were finally able to conceive. So needless to say, they were more than excited to finally get to meet their sweet girl and start their journey into parenthood!
Simon and Lindsay chose to hire Emily Sullivan as their doula and as you will see when you look through their story, she was such a benefit to the both of them (and me)! If you're debating on whether or not to hire a doula for your birth, please do! Doulas are so helpful in so many different ways. They provide assistance not only to the laboring mother, but to the father as well. Just because mom is the one doing the obvious hard work to birth their baby, dads get exhausted, too. This is an emotionally draining day for both parents. It's hard for Dad to see his partner in pain, its emotional for him to feel somewhat helpless in relieving the exhaustion and discomfort that his partner is feeling. He will need a break as well, and having a doula there to assist will allow Dad and Mom to feel more relaxed. Doulas are one of the best support systems you can have at your birth!
If I had to use only one word to describe Ayla's birth, it would be love. This birth was so full of love from beginning to end. Love between Simon and Lindsay, love for their baby girl before she was even born (as you'll see by all of the belly love, holding, touching, and kissing!), love from doula Emily, love from Simon's family whom FaceTimed all the way from Ireland, and love from Lindsay's parents who drove from Atlanta, GA and made it just as she was heading back to the OR. So much love in this birth and my heart overflowed from it!
Our hospitals here in the Asheville area do not allow more than one person back into the OR with the mom during a c-section, unless there's a doula. In the case of parents who have a doula attending their birth, she will be allowed into the OR. This is frustrating for me as I'm unable to capture those first few moments after the baby is born. To combat this, I have started bringing my little point-and-shoot camera which I give to Dad or whoever the support person will be in the OR, that way I can at least add those photos into the mix to complete the story. In the case of Ayla's birth, we were lucky that Emily was there and was able to go back into the OR as well. I gave Emily my camera, and she did such a great job of telling Lindsay and Simon's story when I couldn't be there! I cannot thank Emily enough for the gorgeous images she produced for me!
Since it was dark and late by the time everyone made their way into post-op, I decided that I would come back to the hospital the next day for a Fresh48 session. I was able to capture some beautiful moments in post-op before I headed home, though and I'm so glad I decided to stay for a little while! One of my absolute favorite moments was when Simon read a special blessing to his new daughter and wife. It was such a bonding moment for the three of them!
I absolutely loved this birth story! This family is so beautiful and full of love! If you are thinking about hiring a doula for support during your birth, let me know and I will help you find someone that will do an incredible job!
Ayla's Fresh48 session will be on the blog tomorrow, so be sure to head on back over to see those beautiful newborn images tomorrow afternoon!! You don't want to miss her!
{I would love more information on booking my Birth Story!}
ARchive
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Birth Stories
12
- Jul 17, 2017 Hendersonville Birth Photography at Pardee Hospital | Welcoming Baby Payton Blair Jul 17, 2017
- Jul 9, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Delaney Jade | A WNC Birth Center labor and delivery Jul 9, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Jan 12, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Bishop Kai | A Weaverville, NC VBAC home birth Jan 12, 2017
- Sep 10, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Benjamin Spurgeon | A Mission hospital scheduled c-section Sep 10, 2016
- Apr 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Birth Story: Hadelyn Grace | The pregnancy journey and Park Ridge hospital birth of a baby girl Apr 19, 2016
- Mar 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: AnnaBeth | A Franklin, NC hospital birth of a rainbow baby girl Mar 19, 2016
- Dec 23, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital scheduled c-section birth of a baby girl Dec 23, 2015
- Aug 12, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | A Birth Story: Eleck & Cora Jo | The beautiful scheduled c-section of twin babies Aug 12, 2015
- May 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Athaelia Eden} | The Unmedicated Hospital Birth of a New Baby Girl May 8, 2015
- Dec 19, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Cooper Haze!} Dec 19, 2014
- Nov 12, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | {A Birth Story: Olive Piper} Beautiful baby girl hospital birth | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 12, 2014
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Day in the Life
6
- Mar 28, 2018 A Day in the Life Maternity Session in Asheville | Christina & Jonathan Await Baby Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 20, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary Family Photographer | A Day in the Life: The McElrath Family | A photojournalistic family session Jul 20, 2016
- Aug 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Day in the Life: The Liebl Family | A peek into the life of a Florida family Aug 28, 2015
- May 29, 2015 Asheville, NC Documentary Photography | {A Day in the Life: Terry & Jenny} | A look into the life of a New York City couple May 29, 2015
- Dec 11, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Holi-Day in the Life: The Kennedys!} Christmas Family Traditions & Tree Cutting Dec 11, 2014
- Nov 1, 2014 Asheville, NC Storytelling Family Photography | {A Day in the Life: Freeman Style!} Real life with a toddler & a 5 year old | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 1, 2014
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Events/Parties
3
- Oct 13, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photographer | A Birthday Party Story: Jade Turns Two! | A rainbow unicorn pool party Oct 13, 2016
- Dec 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Birthday Story: Abigail Turns 5 | An outdoor Minions-themed little girl's birthday party Dec 8, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Baby Acosta | A Florida couple's pink and blue gender reveal party Aug 27, 2015
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Fresh48
6
- Mar 23, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health hospital newborn photo session Mar 23, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Dec 24, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital newborn photo session Dec 24, 2015
- Nov 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Introducing Ashton Nolan | A documentary hospital newborn photo session Nov 28, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Nov 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth and Family Photographer | {Fresh48: Olive Piper} Newborn hospital photos Nov 22, 2014
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Maternity
4
- Mar 28, 2018 A Day in the Life Maternity Session in Asheville | Christina & Jonathan Await Baby Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 West Asheville Maternity Photography | Karen & Josh Await Baby Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jan 23, 2016 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: The Farris Family | A family of three Biltmore Estate maternity photo session Jan 23, 2016
- Dec 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photography | {Waiting on Oakley!} Downtown Waynesville, NC Maternity Photo Session Dec 22, 2014
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New Baby
5
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Aug 14, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Phebe Katherine | A sweet baby girl's in-home, lifestyle newborn photo session Aug 14, 2015
- Jul 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Handsome Mr. Oakley Cole | An in-home lifestyle newborn photo shoot Jul 8, 2015
- Jun 2, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photography | {A New Baby Story: Sweet Baby Eve} | A North Carolina lifestyle newborn and family photo session Jun 2, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015
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Personal
1
- Apr 29, 2025 Asheville, NC Child Photographer | Frankie's Sunrise Carolina Beach Birthday Session Apr 29, 2025
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Portraits
1
- Apr 29, 2025 Asheville, NC Child Photographer | Frankie's Sunrise Carolina Beach Birthday Session Apr 29, 2025
- Proposals 1
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Storytelling Sessions
6
- Mar 28, 2018 A Day in the Life Maternity Session in Asheville | Christina & Jonathan Await Baby Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 West Asheville Maternity Photography | Karen & Josh Await Baby Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jun 26, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary & Lifestyle Photographer | A Proposal Story: Isaac + Corianna | A Craggy Gardens, NC surprise marriage proposal Jun 26, 2016
- Mar 21, 2016 Documentary Family Photographer in Hendersonville, NC | A Surprise Visit with the Heasley/Kennedy Family Mar 21, 2016
- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Short Story: The Baker Family | A Hendersonville lifestyle family pregnancy announcement photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Nov 27, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Toddler's Story: Lane is 2!} A day in the life of a two year old Nov 27, 2014
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Watch Me Grow
3
- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | Watch Me Grow: Finley Rhea's 8th Month | A outdoor lifestle baby photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Jul 7, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Baby Photography | Grayson Matthew's 6 Month Session | A North Carolina documentary baby bath session Jul 7, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015