What I Packed in My Hospital Bag for my 2nd Baby’s Birth

After having my first daughter at the hospital in Boca Raton, (she was born at Boca Raton Regional Hospital), I realized there were a bunch of things that I wanted/needed with me during my hospital stay for before and after birth that I just didn’t have. And we really weren’t in the headspace to decide to send my hubby shopping or to pick things up from home as we wanted to soak up every single of those first moments following birth (AND SLEEP!)

So when I was pregnant for the second time, I almost instantly knew already in my first trimester what I would need to bring with me to the hospital the second time around with baby #2!

I want to share what I’ve learned with mamas expecting their first, or planning their second and wanting to be well prepared! Packing some of your essentials or musts will make for a more comfortable hospital experience.

For Labor

Packing

First things first. I learned this the hard way the first time. Duffel bags, diaper bags, back packs, anything that goes on your back is a big no for the hospital. When in labor, or even if you have to have a scheduled c-section, you don’t want to be going into labor and delivery like you’re going for a hike. And you don’t want your partner or spouse’s arms to be preoccupied with baggage. A rolling carry-on suitcase is 100% the way to go. You can neatly organize everything in zip compartments and it opens like a book and displays everything for you to quickly find.

Chapped-Lips

One of the things that I really ended up needing during labor that I didn’t have was chapstick / lipgloss. I know it sounds trivial and maybe vain? But during labor, I felt the air in my hospital labor room was incredibly dry, almost like on an airplane. I am sure hospitals must have dehumidifiers running on a commercial level to keep bacteria at bay. But it caused me to have painfully dry and breaking lips. So this was honestly one of the first things I bought and packed in my bag for labor. I kept it on the rolling table in the hospital room and part of my husbands duties for my labor was to keep reminding me to reapply it. This is one item I kept in my makeup bag in my purse (not the carry-on suitcase), along with waterproof mascara which is my #2 item

Waterproof Mascara

I know this is not a thing everyone wears or wants to wear during labor, but for me it was a must. I don’t really wear any makeup, but I have very light colored, thin and sparse eye lashes. In my personal life, I like to wear mascara often even on occasions and just regular weekday mom days. It gives me a tiny boost of confidence. It makes me feel more put together. It totally does make me feel a little more ‘with-it’ and in control of my life. When birth is so unpredictable, it is so nice to at least feel a little more confidence, or like you can at least control your face. I know it may seem trivial, but to me it was almost like my comfort zone.

Essential Oils + Diffuser

I tend to be a high anxiety mama. One of the things that calm me down are pleasant, calming, clean smells. I love the smell of lavender. For my labor I packed lavender essential oil for calming, a diffuser to make the entire room smell pleasant, relaxing and clean. Peppermint essential oil roller in case I got a headache or nauseous, and I splurged and bought clary sage essential oil for in case my labor stalled. I found out after I had my first child, there is such a thing as pressure points on your ankles and hands that can stimulate labor and if paired with a strong labor-inducing Clary Sage essential oil, if your contractions suddenly get very far apart and erratic, this strong combination can bring them closer together and make them far more productive in thinning out your cervix (called effacement by labor and delivery nurses) and dilating you to 10cm!

Music

I totally think this one is underrated. But I knew when I would be in labor with my second baby, labor would go slow and I wouldn’t want to be listening to all the sounds of the world buzzing about around me while I experienced slow labor. I wanted music to help me get through all the emotions of the day. So I made several play lists with various types of music depending on what I would be feeling. I had an uplifting motivating play list, a calming & ambient play list of music in case I started feeling nervous/anxious, I even made a cinematic inspirational playlist for the very end of labor if I needed it. I threw on my favorite Christmas album by Michael Buble because lord knows that makes me the happiest person in the world. So with music goes my iphone + iphone charger + a blue tooth speaker. All these accessories were a must.

Clothing

What I was going to wear during labor is honestly something that never crossed my mind when I was pregnant with my first baby. Maybe on some level I thought it was mandatory to wear the paper thin hospital labor gown? I’m really not sure.

But when I got pregnant with my second one, I immediately knew we were going to have to bring some changes of clothes with us. First off, I chose 3 t-shirts for my husband. One for him to wear when we were leaving for the hospital, one as a spare to change into if my labor was long and he needed a fresh shirt, and one for the following day if he didn’t go home to change. For my first birth he wore this orange shirt with a video game logo on it. And although the story is totally adorably sweet, I wear it as a sleep shirt these days, it was the worst most unflattering color tee for him to wear in the photos we took with our camera while we were in the hospital.

Secondly — my clothing. I am an artist and have kind of a hippie heart, and I am a photographer after all, so for birthing photos I had a vision of a dreamy, deep colored lace bralette similar to the one pictured here. I’ll link the one below here in case someone wants to get this one : Victoria’s Secret

Many of my clients actually also order a labor and delivery gown usually from the brand Pretty Pushers on amazon and I’ve actually had several clients who ordered this same halter one in black (and sometimes my clients order two sets just in case they feel a need to change their clothing during labor)

Snacks

I decided to pack many snacks that didn’t need a fridge (and brought a few for the fridge) so that my husband would have plenty to eat during labor and have enough energy to be supportive to me in the way I needed him present.

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Things I packed for the hospital stay after giving birth

— Post Partum —

The Sound of the Ocean

Literally the first thing I packed for my hospital stay after giving birth was my toddler’s white noise machine!

Perhaps the least comfortable aspect of having a two day hospital stay with my first baby was that I could hear alarms, beeps, footsteps, doors opening and closing all outside of my hospital room and it became impossible for me to sleep for more than 10 minutes at a time. I was already totally exhausted from the birth process itself so on top of it nurses waking me inadvertently made it impossible to rest. By the time I got home from the hospital I was so sleep deprived and then my baby started sleeping poorly. I was definitely going to nip it in the bud early the second time around by bringing my daughter’s sound machine from her room with the sound of ocean waves. It did the trick. It drowned out all the disruptful sounds and I was able to get much more rest the second time around.

Baby

Instead of packing a million things for the baby like I did the first time around, I only packed a handful:

Two sizes of a going home outfit (a footie pajama), a pretty swaddle for the day after lifestyle pictures, and two sizes of a beanie hat to go with the swaddle. I wasn’t sure what size my daughter would be when she was born, so I wanted to play it safe with options so I didn’t get stuck with dressing her in hospital baby clothing for going home. I used the hospital supplied diapers, wipes, everything to its fullest while we were at the hospital. Endless supplies that end when you leave the hospital, so take advantage! You are paying the hospital after all for your stay.

Post Partum Self-Care

For myself, there were certain clothing and cosmetic items I packed so I could feel myself again and quickly.

For myself for after birth I packed two non-fitted v-neck black tees that I could easily breastfeed in, two pairs of looser black yoga pants (I got them from motherhood maternity) and a black cotton robe. I wanted to be able to feel like more like my usual self (as much as that is possible) immediately after giving birth. I also wanted to be dressed more like myself for when my older daughter (who was then going to be 3 years old) would come to meet the baby.

Cosmetics: I packed body wash for the shower, a full size towel — I didn’t want to risk getting another tiny hospital towel, shampoo/conditioner in travel cases in case I would have sweaty hair after birth so I could wash my hair and have somewhat nice hair for the day after photos. I also packed light makeup (eyeshadow and tinted lipgloss), hair ties, deodorant (I use a natural brand called Primal Pit Paste in the scents Lavender and “Royal & Rogue” I just don’t want aluminum to be in my arm pit when breastfeeding the baby. I tend to want to wear glasses all the time but I did pack contact lenses in case I needed a break from glasses.

Breastfeeding

I had a really hard time with breastfeeding the first time around. I had what nurses call inverted nipples, my baby’s latch was extremely painful for me to tolerate, my milk came in less than 24 hours after birth and there was so much of it and I couldn’t get her to latch on at that point. I learned so much after having my first baby. So for my second baby here are the items I packed for the hospital:

Bamboo breatmilk pads. The first time around I used disposable nursing pads by Lansinoh, Nuk and Ameda. But then after I had my daughter I found out that they are so absorbent, they also absorb your skin’s natural oils, leaving nipples chapped and sore. So I switched to bamboo nursing pads (Bamboobies brand and another brand I found on amazon called M&Y Organic Bamboo Nursing pads that came in a 14 pack) and what I really ended up liking about the bamboo pads were that they are washable, so instead of buying many boxes of disposable ones that cost loads of money and are bad for the environment, you buy one and done.

Because I experienced so many hardships the first time around with breastfeeding, I knew how important it was to have a good start with breastfeeding. If I ever have a third baby, I will ask Sasha Lansing, the other of Mom’s Breast Friend and a Certified Lactation Counselor, to actually pay a visit to the hospital to make sure my baby is latching correctly and I can address any issues with supply and tongue ties before I even go home. I know typically Sasha likes to see her clients once they are home from the hospital, but knowing my serious issues started within a mere 8 hours of giving birth both times, that would be my preference.

For my husband

I also packed things my husband would need for the hospital stay since I knew he would be with me the whole time. I brought his tooth brush & tooth paste, a substantial blanket since the hospital ones suck. And all the essential clothing pieces for a change of clothing besides the t-shirt I mentioned above.

The Boca Mom's Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist: Delivering in Broward or Palm Beach County

Stress Free Packing Guide for your First Baby’s Birth - Whether you are already registered at Baptist Health Boca Regional Hospital or plan to have your baby in any of the local hospitals in Broward/Palm Beach County.

Preparing for the birth of your baby is an exciting time while also often, if we’re honest, can be overwhelming and stressful too! As a birth photographer, I see many of my clients preparing for their births at hospitals and sometimes they pack really efficiently, but other times they have a hard time finding their essentials or feel like they over-packed.

I want to take packaging your hospital bag step by step.

In this moment while we’re focusing on your packing list, don’t worry about anything else.

Make a checklist in a “pregnancy notebook” of all your todo’s and then grab a set of highlighters. Green for easiest things to do, orange for urgent, pink for fun but maybe only if you have time and energy only after you finish time sensitive to do’s.

Organizing your list or plan for what needs to get done and prioritizing what’s most urgent and needed can be AS important as actually doing the tasks! If you focus 75% of your time and energy on all the fun and exciting things, you won’t have time or energy left for the things you’re actually stressing about. And while its important to have downtime to do the fun things, make sure they account for more like 25-50% of your time and energy and not more. Energy is the highest “currency” in pregnancy and there’s very little of it - a LIMITED resource, so use it wisely!

This list I hope goes through what the absolute essentials are that you just shouldn’t leave your house without, but also compares the things that are nice to have (but maybe not as essential).

I hope this helps! Whether you’re a first time mom or this is your 2nd, 3rd or hey even 6th baby!

And don’t forget to scroll to the very bottom for the list of postpartum necessities.

For a list of easy to add to cart items check out my Amazon Storefront

First Things First, Your Hospital Bag

I’ll be honest! And don’t cringe! A rolling carry on suitcase is by far the easiest solution for packing for your hospital stay when you’re having your baby!

It may seem like overdoing it, but it BY FAR when paired with clear pliable zipper compartment bags, keeps essentials well organized.

You can either pack two separate carry-ons, one for you and the baby and one for your partner/spouse, or if you want to bring 1 larger suitcase, store all your and baby’s things on the side with the zipper cover so none of it falls out when you open it, and your partner/spouses things on the other side along with a pillow and blanket for him as hospitals usually don’t provide great pillow/blankets. If there is space for both of you to have your own pillow and blankets, I HIGHLY recommend it. Anything you can bring that you can easily squeeze into a tight fit in the suitcase while it also stays light weight from home is a big plus to make you feel more at home in the medical environment of the hospital.

Separate from the carry-on you will want to have a smaller bag or belt bag that has the bare necessities for leaving home: your wallet with ID, cards, cash, coins, chapstick, mints, car keys, house keys, cell phone charger.

You’ll also want a bag that you can either bring in your carry-on then take out (ideal) or hold separately - that has all your toiletries. Whether you have a short or long birth experience, you’ll also be in postpartum for at least 24 hours if not 48 or 72 (if not longer for medical matters). You’ll want to package a separate well organized compartment that has all the necessities to be refreshed.

Labor and Delivery Essentials:

Comfortable Clothing:

Loose-fitting, comfortable clothes for labor such as a gown, dress, oversized tshirt, sports bra or bralette, although I am a big fan of the smooth bralettes that don’t have a built in wire. Pants are not great for labor because you have to take them off whenever there is a need for access to your cervix or birth canal. Make sure to have several changes in case you want a refresh, but especially if you have a long labor, plan to labor in a birth pool or shower. Make sure you’re okay with any of it getting dirty and unwashable, make sure you’re okay if it needs to be thrown out or cut. Yes the hospital will provide you with a labor gown, but over 95% of my birth photography clients have worn their own clothes after realizing how uncomfortable and irritating the hospital gown fabric feels against their skin.

A cozy robe for walking around, especially if you are walking the halls to get labor going.

Snacks and Hydration:

Energy-boosting snacks for both you and your partner. You can speak with local doulas or midwives for advice, but I will say that most of my clients say that the snacks that are easiest to eat during labor (because sometimes you don’t have an appetite or are grossed out by certain foods) are honey sticks, plain crackers, rice cakes, applesauce packets, grapes, popsicles, clear broth.

A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during labor. A lot of my birth photography clients like to mix in 1/2 a packet of Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier. I personally love the lemon-lime flavor myself.

Essential Oil Diffuser and your favorite oils: Let’s be honest, there are lots of smells in hospitals. Your smells, hospital smells, all the smells! Sometimes it can feel yucky for laboring moms and they just want refreshing scents that are not overpowering. Essential oils are the way to go. I recommend buying a small diffuser like the InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser because its so easy to bring with you and lightweight to fit in your hospital bag, and its perfect for your needs, set it up next to your hospital bed, add water and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and you’re good to go! Favorite oils for my birth photography clients are, clary sage to get labor going, lavandar to calm, lemon to energize (or even orange/citrus).

Toiletries I recommend packing:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.

Face wipes/small face wash gel/soap

Hair ties or clips, whatever is your go to at home. If you often wear stretchy headbands in general, bringing one for either labor or the birthing moment can help keep your hair out of your face.

Your preferred shampoo and conditioner. If you can bring small sample containers that helps to take up less space.

Lip balm is a must! I recommend bringing your favorite one and keeping it near you all of labor. Its wild how quickly your lips can feel dry in a hospital setting that aims to reduce germs by having low humidity levels, the air is so dry it often aggravates my asthma!

Entertainment:

If you have to be induced or get an epidural earlier in labor, I personally enjoy the cheapest Magazines next to the cashier in publix since they are dramatic (haha) and take up time easily, but if you really get into books, e-books, or want to watch netflix the entire time, those are good options too to help pass the time.

Your favorite calming music playlist - to keep your mind distracted. But sometimes its nice to have something energizing planned in a separate music playlist as well.

Hospital Paperwork:

As mentioned before - have a belt bag or tiny bag with your ID, insurance information, and any required hospital paperwork.

Do not forget your phone and charger. If you can get one with a VERY long cord that would be ideal! But make sure you bring multiple chargers for you and your partner/spouse’s phones, additional chargers for other devices like laptops or tablets, and chargers for any friends or family members who may be staying with you through your labor.

Camera or phone for capturing some special moments during labor and birth and after. Usually your nurse will be happy to take photos of the moment your baby is here if you ask, unless you have a birth photographer :)

Comfort Items:

A comfortable pillow and/or blanket for yourself and your partner/spouse (not a necessity but can really make a difference in bringing a cozier/home-like environment into the hospital room).

Birth Plan - also known as a list of birth preferences. I highly recommend writing at the top “As long as mom and baby are both healthy and safe, here a a few of our preferences”

Keep the list to 1 page. Be clear in the fewest words possible. Know your nurse has limited time so shorter is best. I also like to do 3 separate pages - 1 for your labor nurse, a separate one with ONLY baby related preferences for the baby nurse who you won’t meet until its time for your baby to be born, and a 3rd page in case of c-section for you to keep in your hospital bag and pull out only in the event of a c-section being needed. Make sure you have at least 3 copies in case the hospital staff shift changes and you get all new nurses. Usually shift change happens around 7am and 7pm (these can vary to 6am and 6pm or 8am and 8pm etc)

Postpartum Necessities:

Comfortable Nursing Bras are completely optional. I personally needed them as I was leaking colostrum and felt more comfortable wearing a comfy bra, but I went with a ‘sleep’ nursing bra, because I did not want to mess with the clips that nursing bras often have especially at 3am. I put pads in my nursing bras to catch the leaking. However, this really will depend on how quickly your milk comes in and how much colostrum you leak. Not every mom will need pads.

Tops:

Comfortable tops for breastfeeding - basically anything you can pull down or lift up and comfortably nurse in.

Hygiene Products:

Some people say to bring maxi pads and disposable underwear - this is really up to you. the hospital will provide bulky pads and yes if you are having a c-section you’ll need them too as everyone who gives birth has vaginal bleeding. The hospital will also provide mesh underwear and I personally found that the easiest solution after both of my c-sections. But there are also a lot of women who say disposable underwear are the best way to go. Maybe test some out in pregnancy to see your personal comfort and preference.

So when it comes to perineal spray or soothing wipes - I am a big advocate for frozen pre-frozen pads, also known as “padsicles” and the hospital sometimes provides these, I’d recommend asking your provider and on a hospital tour to know if you need to bring them. But note, there is no freezer in your hospital room - often just a refrigerator, so you may be better off asking the hospital if they supply them. The hospital does supply a squeeze bottle (a perineal spray bottle) but amazon sells one with a longer curved spout that a lot of moms say works way better. If you are only needing the upside down peri bottle, you can get it here, but Frida Mom sells an entire Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Kit that comes with disposable underwear, padiscles you can use at home when you return from the hospital, and it even includes a gown. But be careful when buying a gown for labor and delivery because it needs snaps to unsnap the entire front off to breastfeed as well as snaps to open the entire back for an epidural or spinal if needed in an emergency.

Toiletries:

It is not necessary but I feel greatly beneficial to bring either a travel container or sample size of a favorite bath / shower gel or soap for post-birth showers. So at least you know your skin will feel how you want it after that first shower.

Deodorant - it is often forgotten and while it isn’t a necessity sometimes it’s nice to just feel refreshed during an intense experience. If you are worried about deodorant and breastfeeding, I recommend Native and even my 11 year old loves the line of pleasant but not overpowering smells.

Hairbrush and hair ties and scrunchies are a necessity. Bring a mirror or use your phone to do your hair from bed.

Going-Home Outfit:

I think Pajamas is really the most ideal going home outfit. You’re not comfortable after birth and you’re not going to be publicly seen by anyone other than nurses so you want to be sure you feel as comfortable as possible in a loose outfit for leaving the hospital.

Postpartum Items:

These items are very personal decisions but some moms swear by them and find them utterly essential whereas other moms don’t even own them!

Nipple cream for breastfeeding moms. Airing your breasts as often as possible is recommended, but for me I used lanolin and many moms use earth mama nipple butter. This is to create a barrier on your skin in between breastfeeding sessions to help your skin heal.

Postpartum belly wrap for added support is often recommended by I would warn to not dive into this so quickly. I recommend to have your 1 week postpartum follow up and also just ask your Midwife or OBGYN about this one. See a pregnancy and postpartum therapist that is WELL RECOMMENDED and ask them for recommendations as well as WHEN to start wearing it. I just don’t think the first 72 hours are it unless you have medical backing from YOUR provider.

Snacks and Refreshments:

Healthy snacks to keep your energy up during those first few days. The hospital usually provides crackers and jelly and peanut butter, but you can also use UBER eats to your advantage!

A refillable water bottle is key! You can send your partner/spouse out to keep refilling often. Have one for him as well.

Baby Things:

The hospital absolutely will provide the correct onesies/little kimono shirts that cover your babys hands so she/he does not scratch her face with what babies are often born with - long nails.

But if you want to bring your own baby clothes for going home or wearing in the hospital you absolutely can. I recommend magnetic buttons or zippers, as the snaps can be frustrating at night especially.

If you plan to bring formula, bring the RIGHT water for your formula. Some and many hospitals won’t allow you to feed formula you bring from home unless you have the correct water to make it with you.

If you are bringing your placenta home with you or having someone pick it up for encapsulating, you must have TWO large ziplock bags and a cooler large enough to fit a dinner plate!

The hospital will provide blankets and a hat for your baby but you can absolutely bring your own!

Comfortable Shoes/Slides :

Slippers or cozy socks for walking around the hospital and ones that easily fit your feet even with socks on.

Don’t forget, every mom’s birth experience is completely different and unique, so feel free to change this list to your specific needs and preferences.

Wishing you all my love and best of luck on this incredible journey!

Yes C-Sections Even in Great Hospitals like Boca Regional Can Be Scary But There is Yet Hope!

Despite the fact that having a C-Section can lead you to feeling nervous, because surgery can be emotionally overwhelming especially for moms about to meet their baby, this moment can still be beautifully preserved via Birth Photography

Like the moment dad touches his son’s hand for the first time…

Dad Cutting baby’s umbilical cord

Baby’s Newborn Exam (done by the baby nurse in labor and delivery)

Baby’s first weight 7 pounds 4 ounces

Bringing Baby over to mom to finally see & meet her sweet baby boy while still in the operating room

First Kiss from Mommy

First Kiss from Daddy

First Cuddles from Mommy & Daddy

Daddy, still wearing his scrubs, proudly holding his baby boy

(still in the operating room)

Back in their labor and delivery room, mama gets to finally do some skin to skin with her baby boy

Daddy doing skin to skin with his son for the first time

Grandparents brought big sister to meet baby brother at HCA Florida Northwest Hospital in Margate, Florida

After years of hospital closures and limitations of visitors, it was so nice to see my birth photography client and her husband’s wishes respected by hospital staff to allow their family (with whom they are very close) to visit my client and meet the baby

Jupiter Home Birth: First-Time Mom's Dream Realized in Converted School Bus

🚌 SCHOOL BUS CONVERTED HOUSE 🚌

HOME BIRTH

in Jupiter, Florida

I get asked OFTEN what my favorite birth ever was.

While I don't have a favorite, because I have attended a lot of births I really really loved for many different reasons, I am going to start sharing a few of my 'coolest' births that instantly come to mind starting with this one!

First time mama lives in a school bus converted home, when I arrived at her birth, I saw immediately how much heart and time they put into creating a loving home.

When she first hired me to photograph her baby's home birth, I said I would do whatever I could to make it, despite it being a drive for me.

Its really hard for me to choose only 10 of my favorite photos from Katie's home birth, but I did my best narrowing them down for instagram. While on this blog post, I included my favorite 70 birth photos from Katie’s home birth photo gallery of 229!

My Favorite things about this home birth as a Birth Photographer in South Florida:

1. I think this will always be my fav thing every time you ask, I was fed :) One of my love languages is when someone cooks or buys food for me, whether a meal or a snack or a coffee. One of the yummy things I had while at this birth were donuts from Jupiter Donuts. And while memory is escaping me, I am pretty sure I ate most of them lol

2. The Lighting during certain parts of Katie’s labor was the most beautiful lighting I have ever had the honor of capturing in all ten years of my career as a Birth Photographer, particularly because of the window coverings during the highest point of the sun filtered the most magical tones and shadows.

3. Katie didn’t have any off limits photos, and she also didn’t have any expectations. If you’re a photographer, you know there are clients who you try to meet their very specific expectations, and others who trust you 100% to capture their birth through your lens and Katie was the latter.

4. Katie’s labor ended up being one of the coolest births I had ever photographed. Between the location she lives in, her home being a school bus converted house, it being a home birth, her being a first time mom, it was truly an experience of a life time for me.

As with all things, every yin has a yang, and My Least Favorite things about this experience as a Birth Photographer in South Florida:

1. I don’t think I ever had to worry about mosquitoes at work before. Yes, I live in South Florida so we always have mosquitoes, and while I am use to it, I never thought I’d have to swat at mosquitoes for hours and hours and use endless amounts of bug repellant and I don’t think that was my cup of tea (while working).

2. I aim to typically arrive at births during the active labor stage. While if I had done this at Katie’s birth, I would have missed at least 30-40% of the beautiful photos at the beginning of this gallery, so I am glad I did not miss them, it was definitely rough being at this birth for 24 hours. Because it was so far, I did not want to leave. But there was no signal on my phone for most of the birth, and ask any birth photographer in the world, you are not photographing for 24 hours if you’re at a 24 hour long birth. Also, because we did a lot of waiting in between photographing new parts of Katie’s story, I also had to do a lot of sitting around, and my back was killing me for such a long time.

3. Because Katie and Kevin were still working on their house, their bathroom wasn’t complete. So the three times I did use their bathroom, people had to hold up a towel in front of me for privacy, and I did not enjoy that at all and would like to avoid that experience while at work in the future if at all possible, lol

I was asked if I would ever do a home birth in a school bus converted house again, and my answer is, “maybe”

A lot would depend on who the birthing mom is, if this is her first, probably not in order to avoid another long birth, though I have absolutely zero regrets for capturing the most magical and amazing birth for Katie and Kevin, and I would do their birth again and again if I went back in time. It was meant to be.

Other factors that would impact my decision would be: how far away am I going? I am not sure if I would go this far again for a first time mom due to the distance, after being awake for a very long time, I had to call my husband to be on the phone with me on the drive home, as I did not want to fall asleep behind the wheel and that is one thing that makes long births, regardless of where they are, dangerous for the birth workers attending them, and why I am fully behind only attending once my client is in active labor.

And you can’t really control if there is going to be wifi / signal in the area you are going whether its a home birth or a hospital birth, but if I knew ahead of time that I am going to a first time mom’s birth, where there is no signal and it is not a hospital where you can connect to wifi, and there isn’t quick access to a coffee shop, that may affect my decision as well

Do you have a favorite photo of the collection?

This is Your Sign to Hire a Birth Photographer for your Birth in Boca Raton, FL

Happy 4th Birthday Carter Hawk!

THIS IS YOUR SIGN to hire a Birth Photographer

Scroll to see Carter at birth, 2 months, 6 months, 8 months, 2 years, 4 years

Claire and I often look at her photos I photographed for her from Carter's birth when she was my Birth Photography client. Carter was born January 2020 just before the height of c0v!d at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, along side of his awesome daddy who got them from Delray Beach to the Boca Raton Hospital in record time, Birth Photographer and Doula Paulina Splechta, their awesome labor and delivery nurse Ryan who is now a Midwife at Boca Midwifery, and their OBGYN Doctor Konsker who thankfully was also able to make it in time, because baby boy Carter was in such a hurry when Claire’s labor started, that if her water had broken before Dr. Konsker made it, Midwife Polina Goldenberg would have been delivering him (thankfully she was there that night!)

We are both IN SHOCK as to how time could have just shot past us while we were busy raising our kids.

Just a blink of the eye ago he was tiny enough to fit in one arm, and now he is four!

And the ONLY THING we have left of the days when he was the tiniest little sweet pea are thankfully not just memories, but actual amazing photos and his birth video, and while over the years Claire and I have become besties, I am TRULY GLAD for her as a mother to be able to hold onto something that is not blurry, too dark, too bright, or entirely missing from her super short birth that her hubby definitely wasn't going to be able to photograph.

I am SO GLAD that Claire has actual photos and a beautiful birth video that she will be able to share and reshare with her boys as they get older and older, because all of my work for her is modest enough to share with them even as children, and not focused on all the messy, scary moments, not focused on the crowning shot, but focused on the love Claire and Craig had in their hearts and how hard they worked to bring their son into their lives.

#bocaratonmoms

Boca Raton Welcomes Baby Lennox: A Joyful Birth Story and Family Reunion

It's always such a joy to witness a family grow, especially when I've had the honor of documenting their journey from the very beginning. My client, Brooklyn, recently welcomed her second child, a sweet baby boy named Lennox, at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

A Surprise Early Arrival:

Though Lennox wasn't due until February 15th, 2024, he decided to make his grand entrance a week early, surprising his parents with a speedy arrival. This wasn't Brooklyn's first experience with an eager baby; her daughter London also arrived a bit ahead of schedule back in September 2022.

Birthdate: February 8, 2024 at 5:29pm.

A Trusted Birth Photographer and Doula:

I'm incredibly grateful that Brooklyn chose me to be her birth photographer and doula for both of her children's births. Building a trusting relationship with my clients is incredibly important to me, and it's always an honor to be welcomed into their birth space as part of their team.

Big Sister London's Debut:

I vividly remember capturing London's birth at Boca Raton Regional Hospital under the care of the wonderful Dr. Daif Parker and Dr. Maria Fernanda Muñoz from Delray OBGYN Associates. It was a beautiful experience, and I was thrilled to document Brooklyn's maternity journey and London's newborn session as well.

Welcoming Baby Lennox: A New Chapter

Now, two years later, I was back in the same hospital, capturing the arrival of baby Lennox. While London was a petite 7 pounds, 12 ounces at birth, Lennox weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds, 8 ounces! It's always fascinating to see the differences between siblings, even when they're born at the same gestational age.

Newborn Photography in South Florida: Capturing the Magic

I can't wait to photograph Lennox's newborn session this week and capture the sweet interactions between him and his big sister London. As a Boca Raton and Delray Beach newborn photographer, I specialize in creating beautiful, timeless images that families will treasure forever.

Maternity & Newborn Photography: Documenting Your Journey

If you're expecting in South Florida, I'd be honored to be part of your journey. From maternity photoshoots to capturing your baby's first moments, I'll create a visual legacy that celebrates your growing family.

Women Due to Give Birth in 2024 Should Consider Paulina Splechta for Their Birth Photography in Boca Raton

Boca Raton's Leading Birth Photographer for 9 years capturing 200+ births. From epidural-free to csections, giving birth at Boca Regional, local hospitals, home births, Newborn & Maternity. Recommended by Top OBGYNs, Midwives & Doulas in South Florida. Serving Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Beach.

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, marked by anticipation, transformation, and profound emotions. It is a time of immense joy and wonder, as expectant mothers eagerly await the arrival of their little ones. Capturing the beauty and essence of this special time through professional photography is a wonderful way to preserve these precious moments for years to come. For women expecting to give birth in the months of July, August, September, and October 2024, selecting the right photographer is crucial to ensure that every moment is beautifully captured and immortalized.

Paulina Splechta is a highly acclaimed Boca Raton Birth Photographer renowned for her ability to capture the raw, emotional, and intimate moments of childbirth and early motherhood. With her unique artistic vision and unparalleled skill, Paulina has become a trusted name in the world of maternity and newborn photography. Here are several compelling reasons why women due to give birth in mid-2024 should consider hiring Paulina Splechta for their maternity and newborn photography needs:

1. Early Booking Advantage

Booking your Boca Raton Birth Photographer early in the pregnancy provides expectant mothers with several advantages. By securing a spot in Paulina's schedule during the first or second trimester, mothers-to-be can ensure that Paulina is available to capture their birth story and subsequent newborn moments. This early booking advantage also allows for greater flexibility in scheduling and ensures that there is ample time for consultations and planning.

2. Establishing a Connection

Building a relationship with your Boca Raton Birth Photographer is key to creating authentic and meaningful photographs. Booking Paulina early in the pregnancy allows expectant mothers to establish a rapport with her, ensuring that they feel comfortable and at ease during the photo shoots. This connection can result in more intimate and emotionally rich photographs that truly reflect the essence of this special time in their lives.

3. Comprehensive Services

Paulina Splechta offers a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of expectant mothers. Her maternity shoots beautifully capture the glow and excitement of pregnancy, while her Boca Raton Birth Photography preserves the intensity and beauty of childbirth. Additionally, her newborn shoots capture the delicate features and early moments of a newborn's life, creating a comprehensive collection of photographs that tell the complete story of this transformative time.

4. Professionalism and Experience

With years of experience in Boca Raton Birth Photography, Paulina Splechta brings a level of professionalism and expertise that is unmatched. Her ability to navigate the birthing environment with sensitivity and respect ensures that the focus remains on the mother and her journey, resulting in photographs that are both powerful and poignant. Paulina's experience also allows her to anticipate and capture those fleeting moments that make childbirth and early motherhood so special.

5. Artistic Vision

Paulina Splechta's artistic vision sets her apart in the world of Boca Raton Birth Photography. Her unique perspective and creative approach result in photographs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. By hiring Paulina, expectant mothers can be assured that their photographs will be works of art that they will cherish for a lifetime.

6. Continuity of Care

By hiring Paulina for both their maternity and newborn photo shoots, expectant mothers can benefit from continuity of care. Paulina's familiarity with the family and their story allows her to capture the journey from pregnancy to motherhood seamlessly, resulting in a cohesive and comprehensive collection of photographs that tell a beautiful story. This continuity of care ensures that every moment of this special journey is documented with care and precision.

7. Personalized Approach

Paulina Splechta takes a personalized approach to each photo shoot, ensuring that the photographs reflect the unique personality and style of the expectant mother. Whether it's incorporating meaningful props or capturing candid moments, Paulina's attention to detail and commitment to her craft result in photographs that are truly one-of-a-kind.

8. Flexible Packages

Paulina Splechta offers flexible packages that can be tailored to meet the specific needs and budget of each client. Whether it's a simple maternity shoot or a comprehensive package that includes maternity, birth, and newborn photography, Paulina works closely with each client to create a package that meets their individual needs with their Boca Raton Birth Photographer.

9. Professional Editing

In addition to her exceptional photography skills, Paulina Splechta also offers professional editing services to ensure that every photograph is of the highest quality. From color correction to retouching, Paulina's editing skills enhance the beauty of each photograph, creating a stunning collection of images that truly capture the magic of this special time.

10. Long-lasting Memories

The photographs taken by Paulina Splechta are more than just images – they are lasting memories that will be cherished for generations to come. From the joy and excitement of pregnancy to the wonder and awe of childbirth, Paulina's Boca Raton Birth Photography capture the full range of emotions experienced during this transformative journey.

11. Prenatal Consultations

Paulina offers prenatal consultations to discuss the vision and expectations for the maternity and newborn photo shoots. These consultations allow expectant mothers to share their ideas and preferences, ensuring that the photo shoots are tailored to their individual tastes and preferences.

12. Safety and Comfort

During the birth and newborn photo shoots, Paulina prioritizes the safety and comfort of both the mother and the baby. She takes great care to create a calm and relaxing environment, ensuring that the mother feels supported and at ease throughout the process.

13. Digital and Physical Products

Paulina offers a range of digital and physical products, including prints, albums, and digital files, allowing clients to choose how they would like to preserve and share their photographs. These products are of the highest quality, ensuring that the photographs will be enjoyed for years to come.

14. Client Testimonials

Paulina has received numerous glowing testimonials from satisfied clients who have praised her professionalism, artistic vision, and ability to capture the essence of their birth stories and newborn moments. These testimonials are a testament to Paulina's dedication to her craft and her commitment to providing exceptional service to her clients.

In conclusion, for women due to give birth in the months of July, August, September, and October 2024, choosing Paulina Splechta as their Boca Raton Birth Photographer offers a range of benefits. From early booking advantages to her unique artistic vision, Paulina's expertise and professionalism ensure that every moment of this special journey is captured beautifully. By booking Paulina Boca Raton Birth Photographer early in their pregnancy, expectant mothers can secure her services and embark on a photography experience that will result in timeless and cherished memories.

Finding the Perfect Pediatrician in South Florida: A Comprehensive Guide for New Parents

Congratulations on your growing family! As a South Florida birth photographer, I witness the incredible journey of pregnancy and birth every day. But the journey doesn't end there. One of the most important decisions you'll make as a new parent is choosing the right pediatrician for your little one.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding the perfect pediatrician in South Florida, from Delray Beach and Boca Raton to Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale. I'll share insider tips, essential questions to ask, and red flags to watch out for.

Why Interviewing Pediatricians is Crucial

Before we dive into the questions, let's talk about why interviewing potential pediatricians is so important. It's your chance to:

• Find the Right Fit: Every pediatrician has a unique approach and philosophy. An interview helps you find someone whose style aligns with your parenting values.

• Assess Their Experience: Learn about their background, areas of expertise, and approach to common childhood illnesses.

• Get a Feel for the Practice: Experience the office environment, meet the staff, and observe how they interact with children.

• Ask Important Questions: Address your specific concerns and gather information about their policies and procedures.

When and How to Interview Pediatricians

Ideally, start your search in your second trimester. This gives you ample time to research, interview, and choose a pediatrician before your baby arrives.

Here's a helpful script for scheduling an interview:

"Hello, I'm expecting a baby in [month, year] and would like to schedule a prenatal interview with Dr. [Name]. We have [insurance name] insurance. Do you accept it? Do you offer meet-and-greets before we become patients?"

Navigating Online Reviews and Recommendations

Online reviews and mommy Facebook groups can be helpful starting points, but remember a few things:

• Popularity = Longer Wait Times: Highly recommended practices often have longer wait times for appointments.

• Diverse Priorities: Every parent has different priorities. What works for one family might not work for you.

• Personal Connection Matters: While online reviews offer insights, nothing replaces a face-to-face interview.

Essential Questions to Ask During Your Interview

Here are comprehensive questions to ask, covering everything from their medical philosophy to office logistics:

(Before the Interview):

1. Insurance: Do you accept my insurance plan ([Insurance Name])?

2. Interview Length: How much time is allotted for the interview?

(About the Pediatrician):

1. Experience: How long have you been in practice?

2. Specializations: Do you have any areas of specialized training or interests within pediatrics? (e.g., newborn care, breastfeeding support, childhood development)

3. Board Certification: Are you board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics?

4. Hospital Affiliation: Which hospitals are you affiliated with? (e.g., West Boca Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital)

5. Well-Child Visits: What is the schedule for well-baby and well-child visits?

6. Vaccinations: What are your views on vaccinations?

7. Health Philosophy: What are your approaches to:

   • Breastfeeding support (including lactation consultants)

   • Introducing solids

   • Antibiotic use

   • Circumcision (if applicable)

   • Complementary medicine (chiropractic care, physical therapy, etc.)

   • Sleep training

   • Challenging behavior

(About the Practice):

1. Group Practice Structure: How does your group practice work? (e.g., individual patients, rotating doctors)

2. Other Providers: Will my child ever be seen by another provider in the practice? (e.g., nurse practitioner, physician's assistant)

3. After-Hours Care: How are after-hour emergencies handled?

4. Waiting Rooms: Do you have separate waiting rooms for sick and well children?

5. In-Office Tests: What tests are done in the office, and what requires an outside lab?

6. Office Hours and Holidays: What are your office hours, and how do you handle holidays?

7. Virtual Visits: Do you offer telehealth or video visits?

8. Same-Day Appointments: Are same-day appointments available for sick visits?

9. Electronic Medical Records: Do you use electronic medical records?

(After the Interview - Reflect on these):

1. Comfort Level: Did you feel comfortable with the pediatrician?

2. Communication Style: Did you like their communication style and bedside manner?

3. Thoroughness: Did they take the time to address all your questions?

4. Child's Response: If you brought an older child, how did they respond to the pediatrician?

5. Office Environment: Was the office clean, kid-friendly, and well-maintained?

6. Wait Times: How long did you wait to see the doctor?

7. Scheduling: How easy was it to schedule the interview?

8. Staff: Was the office staff helpful and friendly?

9. Location and Parking: Is the office conveniently located and offer adequate parking?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Dismissive Attitude: A pediatrician who doesn't listen to your concerns or dismisses your questions.

• Rushed Interview: An interview that feels rushed or where you don't have ample time to ask questions.

• Unfriendly Staff: Rude or unhelpful office staff can be a sign of a negative office culture.

• Outdated Office: A poorly maintained or outdated office can sometimes reflect outdated practices.

• Negative Online Reviews: Pay attention to recurring complaints in online reviews.

My Personal Experience with Pediatricians in South Florida

Finding the right pediatrician can be a journey, and mine has been filled with twists and turns! As a parent of two, I've navigated my fair share of waiting rooms, differing medical opinions, and the occasional "creepy old man" doctor (more on that later!).

My first experience with a pediatrician was with a practice in West Boca Raton. When my oldest daughter was just three months old, she developed a persistent cold that progressively worsened over several weeks. Despite multiple visits, our concerns were repeatedly dismissed, and we were told to simply "wait and see." Even when I requested an X-ray due to a family history of infant pneumonia, my concerns were brushed aside.

Frustrated and exhausted, I turned to online mommy groups and found a highly recommended holistic pediatrician in Coral Springs. While I appreciated the focus on natural remedies, the excessively long wait times, outdated office, and lack of personalized attention left me feeling unheard. Again, my request for an X-ray was denied.

Finally, after eight weeks of my daughter's declining health, a friend recommended a concierge pediatrician, Dr. Edna Tello at Personalized Pediatrics. Dr. Tello immediately ordered an X-ray and tests, which confirmed pneumonia. We finally had answers, and with proper treatment, my daughter quickly recovered.

This experience highlighted the importance of finding a pediatrician who truly listens and takes your concerns seriously. While concierge care offered personalized attention, it wasn't financially sustainable for our family long-term.

We then switched to Pediatric Associates, a large practice with multiple locations throughout South Florida. We loved the convenience and after-hours availability, but the overcrowded waiting rooms, inconsistent care from rotating doctors, and excessive wait times for in-house tests eventually led us to move on.

Our final (and hopefully permanent!) pediatrician is a wonderful woman who runs a small, female-owned practice. She's attentive, compassionate, and has built a strong rapport with my children.

Additional Resources

• Pediatric Gastroenterologists: [Gastro Health]

• Lactation Consultants: [ Mom’s Breast Friend, Mama Bean Lactation Services, Cohen & Sheinker Lactation Services, Motherfigure, Lactation Consultants of Palm Beach County]

• Breastfeeding Support: [Boca Regional Breastfeeding Support Group Tues 12-1pm, La Leche League of Boca Raton, Breastfeeding Center of Boca Raton]

Choosing a pediatrician is a personal decision. Trust your instincts and choose someone who makes you feel confident and supported. By using this guide and asking the right questions, you can find the perfect partner in your child's healthcare journey.

Are you expecting a little one? I'd love to capture your growing family and those precious newborn moments!

Top Midwifery Care in Pregnancy, Birth & Gynecology with Adrienne Bradley Certified Nurse Midwife in Boca Raton, FL

When you are seeking out a great and experienced gynecologist, or a doctor to be their OBGYN for their pregnancy and delivery, often women think of hiring an MD (a Doctor) yet they don’t realize the amazing benefit to hiring an experienced, top provider Certified Nurse Midwife, Adrienne Bradley at Women’s Health Partners in Boca Raton.

As a Professional who has worked in birth in South Florida for nearly 10 years, I personally see a Certified Nurse Midwife in place of a Doctor for my own gynecological care for years now.

Before I had kids, I never had an amazing gynecologist.

I saw a few doctors for women’s care in Broward County and in Boca Raton, all recommended by coworkers, friends and family, but the problems with these gynecologist for me every single time were: I had no connection with them, felt awkward getting cervical exams, it was a “cold” experience, meaning the doctor made me feel like I was just another number when I came in for my gynecology visits.

Every time I went to my annual gynecologist visit during the first ten years of my adult life, I felt like it was like going to the dentist or pumping gas, two things I hate doing. I found most gynecologists abrasive and dismissive. At the time, it was not an experience I wanted to ever think about. But doesn’t that sound a bit miserable? To have to do a “chore” that I just “want to get it over with” kind of mentality. Life is too short for experiences like that, when so much better experiences await you and are really not impossible to find!

After having kids, and being a birth photographer for three years at the time my second child was born, a Midwife I attended many births alongside asked if I was sure I did not want to be under the care of an OBGYN (Obstetrician Gynecologist). I was like yeah that’s fine, absolutely not the route I want to go with my gynecological care, given my past experiences. And from that point on, a Certified Nurse Midwife became my primary gynecologist and I have never looked back.

Adrienne Bradley is an amazing Certified Nurse Midwife for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and a Top Provider for Women’s Health and Gynecology in Boca Raton, FL.

Think about the last time you went to your gynecologist’s office, did you feel your experience was compassionate?

Would you have described having a comfortable and respectful experience during your gynecological exam?

Or has your experience at the gynecologist been limited to “efficient” or “fine”?

What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) backed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (source) To become a CNM, registered nurses must graduate from a master’s or higher-level nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and pass the national Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination through the American Midwifery Certification Board. All CNMs must hold state licensure.

In my own words, Certified Nurse Midwives were first part of a hospital’s medical staff of nurses.

Nurses are patient advocates.

Nurse Midwives started their educations, training, and careers by being passionate advocates for patients, and you see this shining through to Midwifery care and Womens Health when your gynecologist is a Certified Nurse Midwife.

A Midwife will spend more time with you during your visits.

A slower gynecological cervical exam can also mean less rush/less pain. A lot of care providers think if they are quick, its over quicker. But I have found that when a cervical exam is being performed, if the provider is patient and slow and careful, the pain is minimal. I find this is far more common with midwives than doctors. More time spent together during your visits, whether gynecological visits, prenatal visits or postpartum visits, means you will feel more comfortable, more relaxed, and you may feel at peace discussing concerns you have, instead of bracing yourself for being criticized or dismissed, your concerns will be addressed and you will be respected as a woman who’s forward thinking and involved in her own reproductive care.

Midwife Adrienne Bradley has privileges to see her patients at both Boca Raton Hospitals:

• Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital

• West Boca Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery Maternity unit

I met Midwife Adrienne years ago when she was an RN (Registered Nurse) working in Labor and Delivery at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. I remember from those earlier days, that I was really taken aback as to the amazing patient care I saw from her with my Birth Photography clients.

I remember a specific birth I had where my Birth Photography client had a Doula from Orchid Nest and her Labor and Delivery Nurse was Adrienne, and I remember being over the moon about the photos I captured, because my client was freely moving around, while her baby was still being safely monitored, and my client was even able to labor in the shower and only ended up getting in the labor bed of her room once baby started crowning.

This was at Boca Regional as I mentioned, and I am not sure that I have ever seen a birth like this at West Boca Medical (off of 441 and just north of Palmetto Park Blvd) though I have certainly heard many stories from Midwife friends of similar deliveries, I just have not witnessed them firsthand as a majority of my clients all choose to give birth at Boca Regional.

You can see a couple of the birth photos from that birth below:

My Birth Photography client kneeled and squatted at the labor bed, her doula supporting her lower back with counter-pressure mid-contraction as Midwife Adrienne got down to mom’s level for as uninterrupted laboring experience as possible for the mom’s epidural-free labor

Midwife Adrienne kneeled to monitor my Birth Photography client’s baby during contractions while my client was able to freely labor in the shower at Boca Regional during active labor

I loved getting to know Midwife Adrienne in this special way. I loved watching her years ago as she supported patients and their dedicated Labor and Delivery nurse, then as the Charge Nurse at Boca Regional. I was so ecstatic when I learned she was in Midwifery School, and these days, she is an incredible and dedicated midwife, who’s passion shines through every day in the office seeing patients for their visits as well as in the hospital setting. I am so glad my Birth Photography clients along with countless other women in our South Florida community are in the best of care with this outstanding professional.

Want to learn more about why you should hire a Midwife for your Birth & Gynecological Care? Here is a clickable link where you will find more information about Midwives in Boca Raton, a gorgeous first time mom and dad Birth Photography gallery from a birth at Boca Regional Hospital and a list of questions to ask an OBGYN/Midwife, whether you are just interviewing Midwives or are already in Midwifery or Obstetrical care, whether in your first, second or third trimester, these are great to ask your care provider to ensure your expectations align with the level of prenatal care they can offer you.

How a Midwife is different from an OBGYN for Prenatal Care (clickable link)

Boca Raton Twin Birth: Witnessing Double the Joy with Dr. Dana Schey

This heartwarming collection of 48 birth photographs (from a full gallery of 107) chronicles the incredible journey of a cherished repeat client as she welcomed twins at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. With the skilled hands of OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey, the operating room transformed into a space of joy and anticipation. I've had the privilege of documenting this family's growth since their first child's birth in 2016, and capturing the arrival of their twins was truly an honor. Dr. Schey's expertise and compassionate care are evident in every image, showcasing the beauty and wonder of a twin delivery.

This birth story celebrates the miracle of life, the artistry of twin births, and the exceptional collaboration between the family's birth team, including Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Dr. Dana Schey, and myself, Boca Raton's dedicated birth photographer.

For those seeking a trusted OBGYN in Boca Raton:

Dr. Dana Schey is a highly experienced and respected obstetrics & gynecology specialist with over 20 years in the medical field. She's affiliated with both Boca Raton Regional Hospital and West Boca Medical Center, and her practice is currently accepting new patients.

Curious about the difference between a Spinal and an Epidural?

While this beautiful twin birth was made possible with a spinal block, many women opt for an epidural during vaginal deliveries. To learn more about these pain management options, check out this informative article:

What is the Difference between an Epidural and a Spinal?

Remember: Your OBGYN or Midwife is your primary source of information and support throughout your pregnancy. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions you may have!

Need Help Preparing for Your Prenatal Visits?

I've compiled a list of helpful questions to ask your OBGYN or Midwife during pregnancy. Feel free to print it out or keep it handy on your phone:

List of Questions to Ask your OBGYN/Midwife during pregnancy

Empowering yourself with knowledge is key to a confident and positive birth experience!

Charlie & Collin’s Birth Story

The night before we texted around 6pm. I tried to get to bed early, but you know how easily that goes when you are over the moon ecstatic that one of your Birth Photography clients is so excited to meet her babies the next morning! I am sure I got at least a couple of hours of sleep.

We agreed to meet in front of Labor and Delivery of Boca Regional Hospital at 4:45am the morning of July 19th.

We texted each other at 3:59AM on the morning of July 19th. Her sweet babies were going to be born on a Wednesday. We met up in front of the hospital at 4:36am knowing that the hospital instructed her with pre-op instructions to be at the hospital by 430am for her scheduled c-section delivery with her twins. 3 Hours Prior (which is excessive in my opinion as I have seen many of my c-section clients arrive 2 hours prior to their c-section and still have so much down time, while 3 hours ends up causing a lot of waiting, which builds a lot more anxiety).

I think it is typical upon arrival to feel a combination of things, a spectrum of emotions. We were all tired having started our days around 3AM in the morning and been up on our feet already two hours and the sun still hadn’t risen, but we were all really really excited.

Unfortunately, despite me arriving just before my Birth Photography client, I was not allowed to go upstairs at the same time as my client, as she was going to labor and delivery on the third floor. I understand initially they bring up patients to make sure they give them the opportunity to report any abuse (in relationships, I know this is shocking but its more common than you think and often this is a mom’s only opportunity) so I know I always have to wait for that. But shortly after she went upstairs to the third floor, her husband was able to come up, though I was kept waiting downstairs.

“They have me in the same little triage area” she texted me.

“There’s no available rooms, just FYI” she texted me.

A few weeks back, we had talked about what this c-section would mean to her. She experienced a previously traumatic delivery with her older daughter when she was in a car accident during her pregnancy and that kind of trauma tends to stay with you a long time. She didn’t feel great this pregnancy, as you can imagine how it goes with twins. She had some lower back period like cramping and tightening in the weeks leading up to her scheduled c-section, which is pretty typical.

Unfortunately despite her history, there weren’t any rooms available, so the pre-op area with the drawn curtains it is. Thankfully, it was not a busy morning, so her space was somewhat more on the private and quiet side.

After 30 minutes I started to get a bit worried. I knew how important it was to her to have my support and also how important it was to her that I capture every waking moment leading up to her babies being born.

Everyone thinks they know what Birth Photography is and they try to define it.

Some people think you start taking photos once the babies are delivered. Other people assume its a Newborn Shoot, you know, swaddled, posed babies. I myself have my own definition of what it is that I do as a Birth Photographer, and I know that at this point I should have already been with my client, but

the fact is, Birth Photography is what an expecting mom wants it to be.

It celebrates her love for her baby (or in this case babies) in the way a mother feels is true. If that starts before she sets foot into the hospital, that is when my job begins. In this case, it was causing me stress that I could not do my job because in this moment, no one had prioritized what the mom needed and planned for from the arrival at the hospital, which was to have me with her and her husband. She grasped her stress-ball tightly in her hand while she waited for me to finally be able to come upstairs.

I texted her “Does your nurse know your doula is here? Security told me they won’t let me up while you’re in triage, but I am not sure what’s going on. I also have your birth plan”

I sent that text to her at 552am.

Luckily, despite that scare, I was headed upstairs shortly after I was reunited with my client and she was relieved to see me.

Preparing to head into the Operating Room.

Mom was in a greenish traditional hospital gown that ties in the back, which she opted over a custom gown, (some of my families choose to not buy their own labor gown from amazon, though a majority enjoy the softer and more flattering fabric of the labor gowns on amazon), and dad was putting on the disposable scrub top, scrub pants and scrub booties prior to heading to the operating room at Boca Regional Hospital.

My Birth Photography client’s OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey arrived shortly after I did to chat and prep for her c-section surgery with her twins.

It was so comforting for my client to have her whole team there.

Walking to the Operating Room

Often, the scariest part of giving birth is the entire anticipation leading up to the actual delivery. This is often true for many moms, especially with regards to c-sections. Sure, there are exceptions and I have attended births where the scariest part isn’t always the anticipation. But for many moms, that is really the scariest part. Not knowing how things will go. Lots of medical stuff happening (noises, people, lots of blue everywhere), but thankfully, once they see and hear their baby, everything feels so much better!

But delivering twins can be a bit scarier sometimes. You’re worried two fold about two little babies! Will they be super small? How small will the twins really be? I’m not 40 weeks, but I am told 37 weeks is full term with twins. But still its two babies in there and my belly is still not that huge, how tiny will they be? Will baby B have a harder time than baby A? The list goes on indefinitely! The worries never end!

The clock on the wall above the scrub in station showed that it was 7:29am.

We had gotten there at 4:37am, it felt like a long day already and we hadn’t even met the babies yet!

Dad putting on his mask by the scrub station outside of the operating room

Dad watching through a window to the operating room as mom gets her spinal tap administered, her nurse is with her in the OR along with the anesthesiologist.

Dr. Dana Schey speaking with dad outside of the operating room at Boca Regional Hospital, going over the twin delivery, what he can expect to happen, including the Neonatologist checking on the babies and the possible involvement of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), before heading in for the c-section.

What does a Neonatologist do?

“A neonatologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in premature babies or newborns with high-risk or complex health conditions. If your baby is born premature or with an illness or congenital disability, a neonatologist will be the provider managing your baby's care.” [source: Cleveland Clinic]

For families investigating the best NICU facility in South Florida for their baby’s birth, it is important to research and ask questions, specifically by contacting the Director of labor and delivery at your preferred South Florida Labor and Delivery units and ask what level NICU their L&D has and what is the difference between an Level I and Level II NICU. According to the Boca Regional Hospital website, “The care given to our patients is exactly the same in both units and is provided by staff who are trained to the same standard and using the same equipment. The level III nursery provides some specialized technology and cares for babies born at fewer than 28 weeks gestation.” [source: Boca Regional Hospital website]

What is also really important to know about Boca Regional Hospital’s Labor and Delivery, that often I hear moms saying they will choose West Boca Medical Center because they have a Level III NICU and Boca Regional doesn’t is that

Nurses and Respiratory Therapists in the NICU at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital NICU is trained to level III NICU.

[source: Boca Regional NICU link]

Additionally, other services provided in the Boca Regional Hospital NICU are:

SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR NICU

• Care of critically ill babies at or around 28 weeks or greater

• Nurses and respiratory therapist trained to level III NICU

• Doubled board-certified neonatologist in house 24 hours a day

• Pharmacy, social work, physical and occupational therapy as well as nutritional services

• Support groups and classes for parents

• Breastfeeding support and equipment for sale or rental

• Local sub-specialty support as needed

• Participation in national research projects

  [source: Boca Regional NICU link]

I love the two bassinets waiting on the babies outside of the operating room! One for baby brother, one for baby sister.

Though I have always wanted to capture a photo of twins together in one bassinet, but many people don’t realize that a majority of time, one if not both babies may need to go into the NICU, even if for a short time, to receive extra medical support immediately following delivery, so it’s not often that I see both bassinets wheeled back into postpartum after the c-section delivery of twins.

The first thing dad did when he walked into the operating room was hold mom’s hand and that was just so heart warming to see & capture a photo of!

No matter how many babies you’ve given birth to, even if this isn’t your first or second c-section delivery, birth is intense! It’s not so easy to be calm & cheery in this moment as the surgery begins as one would think.

I captured the clock inside the operating room as well, but I am in disbelief that it was already 8:04am once dad and I joined mom in the operating room, before babies were even delivered! If you scroll up, you’ll see it was 7:29am when we were just waiting outside of the OR.

I was curious however, why there are always two clocks on the wall of the operating room in labor and delivery at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, so I had to do some research and found:

“Synchronized clocks and Elapsed Timers are commonly used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. A synchronized clock system will assure accurate and uniform time throughout the facility. This allows all staff members to record time of events based on one accurate time source. These situations consist of (but are not limited to): Patient admission time, dispensing medicine, formal time of birth, length of an operation, a medical procedure and more. In addition to having a synchronized clock in places such as operating rooms, emergency rooms and medical procedure rooms, there is also a need for an elapsed timer. The elapsed timer can perform a count-up or countdown depending on the procedure. In order to provide a solution for monitoring or recording the accurate time as well as using an elapsed timer, Sapling recommends adopting the dual display solution. This solution includes one clock that will be dedicated to present the accurate time and a second clock that will be dedicated to act as the elapsed timer that would interface with the elapsed timer control panel. One way to implement this solution is to choose one analog clock dedicated to show the accurate time and the second display is a digital clock dedicated to act as the elapsed timer.” [source: sapling-inc.com]

A lot of nerves and anxiety leading up to the babies deliveries. As you can see, it’s not only affecting mom, but also dad. Which is why other hospitals must do better. Doula support is not only for the birthing parent — the other parent often needs just as much support through this process, yet there is rarely anyone who is able to fill this role.

The sooner every hospital recognizes that cesarean birth is the only awake major surgery that should allow for experienced support people to attend, the better the birthing community & their patients will be served.

Baby A - Feet First

As seen here, Baby A - often referred to as the first twin being delivered, is being delivered feet first. I’ve seen this referred to as “footling breech” at previous deliveries. Though to be frank, I am not sure if this was baby’s gestational position leading up to delivery - I hadn’t asked my client before. I’ll have to check in with her and update.

“Twins are labeled as A or B according to their location relative to the birth canal. Antenatal labeling is usually established by prenatal ultrasound. Most often, fetuses known in utero as twin A are also first born and thus retain their label. [source]”

Sometimes with twins, they are scooped off to be seen by the Neonatologist before mom and dad get to have a good look at them at the moment of delivery

Baby B - Feet First

If you look closely, you can see a pair of teeny tiny feet of Baby B also emerging first.

Scooped away by Neonatology to ensure babies are safe

Baby B is weighed - 5 pounds 4 ounces

Baby A is weighed

Baby A weighed 5 pounds and 1 oz — really good weights for both twins!

Dad being guided over to the baby warmer to meet the babies — first Baby A! (the closest baby warmer in the operating room to mama)

Dad went back to mom to express his excitement for being able to see Baby A up close!

You can also see OBGYN Dr. Dana Schey peeking over the blue drape in the above image, she was so excited for her patient and her patient’s husband!

At this moment, a lot of the nerves and anxiety of “will they be okay” have passed, and the parents are able to catch a breath knowing their babies are both safe & in good hands

We were caught off guard when the nurse suddenly brought Baby A over to meet mommy! I love that the nurse left the “A” on the baby’s swaddle so we would know exactly who mama is meeting in the photos later!

Though the babies both have their unique identifying features and it is easy to tell that this is Baby A - baby girl Charlie!

Baby’s First Kiss

Just the sweetest moment. C-section deliveries indeed are a medical procedure, but they also are the powerful process & journey of birth, and I am so thankful for the medical staff that understand how very important to the parents mental health and to mommy-baby bonding it is to have this brief meeting moment happen IN the operating room

Mama still had her stress ball, and this is such a good idea — I have not seen this done before and highly recommend it. It is so nice to feel that comfort through this whole process

In the background of this image, across the operating room, you can see the nurse doing Baby B’s footprints

Meeting Twin B

Showing Mommy all that hair!!

Smooches for Baby B!!!

“It's important to know that multiples have a much higher rate of prematurity than singletons. And with premature labor comes the risk that your babies won't be fully developed – which means they will need special care in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) before they can go home.” [source:thebump]

“How long they stay in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) will depend on a number of factors, including gestation at delivery, weight, any complications that have occurred, and the overall health of the babies. But try not to be too overwhelmed by the NICU – it’s just a place for your babies to receive extra special care. The best thing you can do is plan ahead to find the highest level NICU in your region, in the event that your babies do need to spend time there.” [source: thebump]

Immediately following delivery, the hospital medical staff guided dad to the NICU to see and be near his babies, while mom recovered (as obviously unable to walk or be in a wheelchair immediately following the surgery)

Baby A (girl) “Charlie” was given a pink blanket with froggies

Baby B (boy) “Collin” was given a blanket with puppies

I think it is so sweet & cute that the patches on the baby’s skin have little blue hearts on them.

These patches are used to continuously record baby’s vitals (“through electrodes placed on the skin with wires attached to monitoring platforms. Researchers are working to replace the wires with a patch that would allow parents to hold their little one while [he or she is] being monitored.” [source: medicaldesignbriefs]

You can see just how small baby is next to daddy’s hand!

I love the fact that this hospital does a keepsake blue baby footprint book for every baby — I had my daughter over a decade ago at this same hospital and have my own blue book.

Updates on babies & mama after delivery:

Already later that afternoon, mama updated me that both of the twins went to oxygen level 2, then down to 1, and by evening were completely off oxygen all together.

Charlie (Baby A - girl) was already practicing with a bottle that same night of her birth.

By three days after birth, all IVs and feeding tubes were out for both babies and mom and dad were able to feed both babies without all the wires and tubes.

Big sisters were able to come to the hospital on day 3 to look at the twins through the nursery window (still no touching or holding but so nice for them to finally see their baby siblings).

Baby A (Charlie - girl) had increasing jaundice levels on day 3 so she had to go under special lights after her 11am feed, though the hospital said it was looking good for the babies to both go home on day 4, as the medical staff inspected mom and dad’s car to ensure their car seats were according to regulations.

Mama was discharged from the hospital 4 days after her delivery.

Another update 11 days after birth came in from mama that her pain and discomfort from the surgery continued about 9 days after birth, and came back on day 11.

Babies were still not sucking as well as they were hoping for and so mama was pumping as much as possible to keep up with them once they are able to suck, though both have a great latch and the family’s pediatrician said it can take them until past 37 weeks to really acquire that skill.

Overall sleepless nights, but they are giving mom and dad 3 hours of good sleep in between feedings and they were able to keep up with the NICU schedule.

It has now been 6 months since the babies were born, I hope to be able to see them and their big sisters hopefully sometime this year in 2024! I love my Birth Photography families!! I am so grateful for Dr. Dana Schey taking such good care of my clients and trusting me to be part of my clients birth teams in the delivery room and operating room. Thank you so much Dr. Dana Schey!