During a home water birth, a Florida-based family photographer beautifully captured the profound and emotional moment when his dear friend w...
During a home water birth, a Florida-based family photographer beautifully captured the profound and emotional moment when his dear friend welcomed his third child, a precious baby girl, into the world.
Kathy Rosario had already made six deliveries with her photography company K Ro Photography, according to BυzzFeed, but this was her first completely natural water birth.
“For me, there is something more amazing than watching a woman give birth, and when it's in the comfort of her home, it feels even more special,” she told BoredPada. “I've photographed quite a few births before, but that's nothing compared to the serenity of a home water birth!”
Baby happiness: Photographer Kathy Rosario captured her friend's water birth with a series of incredible photos
Private birth: The mother decided to deliver her third child at home, in her jacυzzi-style bathtub
With more than 98 percent of births in the United States occurring in a hospital setting, according to CDC data, it's understandable that most Americans have never witnessed a water birth, so Ms. Rosario's photo series is both emotional and luminous.
His pregnant friend – whose name was not shared – already had two boys, aged four and two, when she decided to welcome her third child home.
Taken over the course of two hours, the collection of photos documents the woman's labor, the delivery of the baby, and the sweet moments of childbirth immediately after the baby is born.
Healthy and useful treat: mother made her own "laboraid" popsicles, full of electrolytes to keep her well hydrated
Feeling at home: Pillows were used to support the mother and keep her comfortable
Happy mom: The mother already had two children (one of them in the photo), who were at home during the birth
Starting from the first shots, the woman filters through a jacυzzi-style tub, bent forward as she practices breathing through her contractures.
Ms. Rosario said the room smelled of lavender, and the mother was completely calm, in fact, smiling and laughing between the two.
As labor progresses, the mother wears only a sports bra, with her lower body submerged in water. Her pillows support her back and head, and her hair is pulled back from her face in a ponytail.
In other photos, cooling cloths have been placed on the mother's forehead and chest, and she sucks on a "laboraid" popsicle that she made herself. “Laboraid,” a play on Gatorade, is packed with electrolytes sometimes used to help keep mothers hydrated during childbirth.
Finally, the baby – covered in purple ampytic fluid – is emerging. The mother takes out the chair herself while she is under the supervision of an experienced midwife.
Special Delivery: She pulled her baby out of the water, and he is covered in ampytic fluid
She is a girl! The excited mother, who had not known the sex of the baby in advance, was thrilled to learn that she would give birth to a daughter
Latest addition: Photographer said it was 'pure happiness' for mum to find out her two kids had a little sister
Then he checks between the baby's legs and discovers that it is a girl. The happy mom is clearly thrilled to be having her first daughter, and the photographer describes the moments after discovering her as "pure happiness."
With the help of two midwives, the mother stands up from the tub and has a towel draped over her shoulders. She looks exhausted as she holds the white girl against her torso.
With the baby wrapped in a blanket in her arms, she lies down on the bed and tries to breastfeed for the first time. Dad also comes to visit us, looking at his last child with admiration.
“It was pure happiness and tranquility as we waited for the baby to arrive,” Ms. Rosario told BoredPaпda.
Completely emptied: after giving birth the mother was helped out of the tub by two midwives
Daddy's daughter: Mom in the office settled down and dried herself, dad came to meet his little baby
Nυrtυriпg: Mrs. Rosario also failed the mother's first attempt to breastfeed her little baby
Relatively rare in the United States, water births are believed to help ease the mother's expenses, thereby reducing the use of anesthesia and facilitating a pleasant, drug-free birth. They can also speed up labor and help the mother relax.
However, despite the possible benefits, the practice is still considered experimental and presents some risks. Doctors suggest that the mother get out of the water as soon as she starts pushing, to create an easier environment for professionals who can help her in case something goes wrong.
Water births are also not recommended if complications are expected, for example if the baby is breech, the birth is multiple or if the baby is particularly large or premature.
However, Ms Roasio said that, seeing how peaceful her friend's water birth had been, she wondered why so many women, without complications, still choose to give birth in hospital. She stressed, however, that it is still important to have a trained midwife and a backup plan for emergencies.
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