“There’s a song that they sing when they take to the highway,
a song that they sing when they take to the sea,
a song that they sing of their home in the sky, maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep,
but singing works just fine for me.”

James Taylor

Meg’s birth was truly a heart driven song.  I don’t think I have ever experienced a more beautiful passage of time in an environment completely constructed for peace and positivity. The support of her husband, mother, sister and doula provided strength and courage as the arrival drew closer. They laughed, shared stories, and prayed. Soft James Taylor tunes filtered through the air repeating a mantra that seemed almost meditative. The room was warm, the light soft, and lightly scented with essential oil.  These things that could be controlled were Meg’s stronghold. From the beginning of Meg’s story to the end, I have been overwhelmingly impressed with what I would call the most conscientiously designed birth experience imaginable.  I felt most inspired by Meg’s inner strength and the circle of love she drew to welcome her new baby girl into.

Photographing Meg’s birth was a phenomenal experience and one that I was both honored to share and personally inspired by. This was the first birth I had photographed.  Trying my hand at the documentary style of birth photography opened the door for recording the first few moments of motherhood. I found in this a deep route to my own emotional perspective– and an immediate refresh on my own birth experiences.   My heart with was completely taken.

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It was an added bonus that Meg’s baby was born in the Caul or Veiled…an extremely rare occurrence where the amniotic sac does not break!  I mean, a 1 in 80,000 births chance!  These babies are considered to be extremely lucky in life and special. Get your lottery tickets!

I will always hold Meg and her family close for sharing this experience with me. I enjoyed every moment during our passage of time. Here are a few of my favorites

Mari Leckel, of Acelleron Maternal Health & Fitness was Meg’s doula.  Her support was remarkable! Check out Acelleron for more pregnancy, postnatal, and childbirth support and classes.

BORN EN CAUL * BORN IN VEIL

Below you can see the Caul.  Baby KK was not official born, until the veil was lifted and she took her first breath. Here, the midwife reaches her thumb beneath the shiny membrane and lifts the caul over her face as Baby KK takes her first breath.

For more images, please view the birth slideshow. If you are interested in having your birth story documented, please contact amy buelow photography for north andover area births at hello@amybuelow.com, or call 978.697.1345

https://animoto.com/play/Jtf7LLCh1C9RZUx51CVhJg