The Birth Story of Novah Jace | Lubbock Birth Photographer
Photo by Elise
There are many versions of this story, but I can only tell mine! My client, who has become a sweet friend, Amanda had been having bouts of painful prodromal labor for weeks leading up to her birth. She and her husby, Jason, hired me knowing I would be in Georgia for 3 days for a conference. On the last morning of the conference, Amanda’s contractions started to pick up and seem like the real deal.
As usual, I have several incredible and talented colleagues to back me up if ever there is a need! So Britney Looney went to Amanda’s house without hesitation to document and support Amanda. I have no idea what was taught in that morning’s session, because my mind was racing and my heart couldn’t stand being in the conference for one second longer. I knew I needed to grab an earlier flight!
I hired an Uber ride to race me to the airport, by-passing the subway system. I made it through the security and to the gate with minutes to spare hoping I could jump on as stand by. Of course there were two others ahead of me and zero open seats. An hour later, I was boarding a different plane headed to Dallas! I called my shuttle to let them know my travel time changes, but I waited for 40 minutes for my “free shuttle” at the DFW airport before I got another Uber. Then I may or may not have sped racing back to Lubbock like a mad woman!
In the meantime, Amanda, Jason, Britney, and Sarah (Amanda’s doula, who is also a student midwife) headed to Heartbeat Midwifery working through extremely painful contractions. At the time, we had no idea that Amanda had a slipped disc, but in retro-spect it makes so much sense why her experience was so painful beyond the normal level of natural childbirth.
Once I arrived in Lubbock, Amanda was working through her contractions in the birth pool with Jason by her side, Sarah comforting her, Britney clicking away, Courtney (her midwife) caring for her, and Carmen (owner of Heartbeat & midwife) was quietly documenting. The scene was serene and calm with the lights dimmed and her affirmation hung above the birth pool. After almost 2 hours of laboring in the tub since I had arrived, Amanda decided to transition to the bathroom to push. She was complete, 10cm, and ready have this sweet baby. We squeezed in with me and Britney both on top of the sink counter, at one point. I am so happy Britney decided to stay once I arrived. I LOVE working with her and stitching together stories with both of our perspectives and talent.
Amanda was finally able to guide Novah’s head out sitting on the birthing stool. It was an emotional welcome of their first baby girl as both Amanda and Jason were ready for this intense labor to be over and to finally meet Novah. I am so in awe of Amanda’s strength throughout this entire experience of pre-labor, birth, and post-partum enduring everything with a slipped disc and not even knowing why the pain was so intense! Thank you, Amanda and Jason, for trusting me to document your birth! Thank you, Britney, for being such a trustworthy and fun colleague to work alongside! Thank you to the rest of the birth team for making Amanda’s birth everything it was!
Novah Jace Gonzales | July 23, 2021 | 6lbs 3oz | 20 in
Video clips taken by both Britney Looney with Known Photo and Elise, and compiled & edited by Elise
