A Mama's June Birth Story (Hospital Birth) Boca Raton, FL | Paulina Splechta Photography

Story by guest writer, Sarah A.

With my first pregnancy, I didn’t hire a doula or have any other support team aside from my husband. I was pregnant with twins, a first time mom and I was inexperienced in the ways of a hospital birth. So much of the process was out of my control, preeclampsia meant I needed to be induced, I had to have an epidural early on in case of an emergency c-section and I had to deliver in an OR. Birth isn’t something you can predict or control, but with my first birth, I felt so disconnected and left out of the process itself. I also felt my birth preferences were largely ignored and that left me with feelings of sadness and regret about my twins’ birth.

When I became pregnant for the second time with a singleton in 2017, I wanted to take full advantage of the experience and make sure I was as connected and present as possible throughout my pregnancy and baby’s birth. This led me to the decision to hire a doula. I researched several doulas in my area and ended up hiring Lisa Raynor. In addition to attending my birth, Lisa was a strong support to me throughout my pregnancy. She helped me craft a detailed list of birth preferences and was instrumental in communicating them to my medical team and making sure they were followed the day of the birth.

During my pregnancy, she was always available if I needed to talk and helped me tremendously through some scary weeks after a few worrisome ultrasounds.

She reminded me that I had a say-so over my birth and helped me think through my options during stressful moments.

On the day of my son’s birth, Lisa was with me as much or as little as I needed, stepping in during the moments when things got tough and supporting my husband and I through a birth process we had never navigated before.

This time around, I was lucky to have a calm and beautiful birth experience but I also credit my doula with making this possible through her knowledge, experience and caring support. I felt like an active participant in my birth this time around and it truly made all the difference. Having a doula helped me achieve the pregnancy and birth experience I envisioned and heal some of the old wounds of regret from my last birth. Lisa provided such seamless and loving support, she felt like a member of our family and I will forever be grateful to her. I would absolutely recommend hiring a doula for pregnancy and birth to any mama-to-be, first time or otherwise.

Waiting on Girl #2 | Maternity & Pregnancy Family Documentary Session at the Dog Beach in Jupiter, FL

When I met Leslie and her family of three... soon to be family of four... I knew right away that we were going to be friends. I was really excited when Leslie emailed this to me:

"I'm not a "smile at the camera" gal. I love documentary, abstract type photos. I know you want to step out of your comfort zone and I am super excited to be part of this change for you." 

That was the coolest email I could have gotten ever! It said to me "I trust you, do whatever you want because what you're doing, I love"

I think it is quite possibly the most freeing feeling in the world when your client trusts you so much, and completely lets go and gives you creative freedom.

Here are some of my absolutely favorite images from their documentary lifestyle maternity and family session with their amazing daughter and two precious doggies. I hope you enjoy these photographic pictures as much as I did!

Expecting Baby Boy - Boca Raton Birth Photographer

Back in the first week of July, I was 9 months pregnant in the crazy heat of our Florida summers when I met up with the absolutely gorgeous, like minded mama Ashley and her hubby David and their lovely little Alexandra for a family - breastfeeding - maternity shoot on Delray Beach! What an epic trio in one! Despite the tropical climate, this family pulled of my absolutely favorite sessions to date, the colors, the love and connection are just jaw dropping! 

Ashley and I shared part of our pregnancies together and she is due in about three weeks with her baby boy, and I just birthed my little girl Emma, my second daughter a few weeks ago, so we were just 3 months and 2 days apart in our pregnancies! It was fun being apart of a facebook pregnancy mama group together, sharing our pregnancy experiences and tough days, and our bump selfies! What a totally different experience from my first pregnancy where I was definitely lacking that mother tribe support system. 

I cannot tell you how ecstatic I was to photograph her gorgeous family. When the stars align and you have the perfect sunset, a gorgeous family, and that lucky week where the seaweed that washed ashore is still perfectly golden, it is just heaven. 

Three and a half months later, my little girl is 2 months old and Ashley is one month away from her due date. I invited Ashley to join me for a day of celebrating motherhood with other special mamas for mini sessions in East Boca Raton. 

This mama rocked her shoot just 4 weeks shy of her due date, look at how radiant she is! And my goodness how incredibly big has Alexandra gotten in just the matter of 3 1/2 months! I feel like every single shot speaks to the incredible love and gentleness they have as parents. 

Paulina Splechta, Birth & Breastfeeding Motherhood Photographer in Boca Raton, FL