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graeme’s birth | baltimore birth photography
After days… and nights… of prodromal labor, fully dilated, this amazingly strong mama made the transfer from home to hospital to safely give birth to her baby. She had the most dedicated, expert care of midwives that led them to make the team decision to change their birth plan because mom and baby needed it. They continued to advocate for mom when medical intervention was necessary and joined a hospital staff with the common goal of a healthy, safe delivery. Transfer is never a failure, it is the life guards waiting outside the pool ready to jump in and do their job when there is evidence that a birth needs intervention. I wish everyone could see the kind of care given by midwives that safely brings babies into the world at home and makes the call at just the right time to go to the hospital – before it is a true emergency but not before it’s necessary.
I have never watched a mother giving birth and thought she was anything less than amazing, but this was a very special example of how extraordinary a mother can be. The strength, courage and calm she showed during moments that could have been chaotic was something I will never forget.


mother’s day pregnancy announcement | baby runyon
how to do a belly cast | baltimore maternity photography
Belly casting is a fun, tactile way to remember the shape and size of your pregnant body. It’s also a beautiful prop to pose your newborn baby. Here’s a quick “how to” along with a few images of one with did in the studio. You need at least 1 other person to help – this mama choose her 2 good friends.
1. Gather the materials: drop cloth/tarp or trash bag, scissors, water, large mixing bowl, latex gloves, 4 “ pre-plastered gauze and saran wrap.
2. Tell mama-to-be to use the bathroom first! Lay down your drop cloth/trash bags/tarp. Fill bowl with water. Have mom dress in comfortable bottoms that can get messy. Cover belly with saran wrap, keeping it as smooth and wrinkle-free as possible – you can also use petroleum jelly as a barrier instead of the saran wrap. Put on your gloves!
3. Cut gauze into strips of varying lengths, you’ll need some long enough to cover the widest part of the belly and a few shorter for smaller stretches. Dip them in water then layer them evenly with overlapping edges. I’d recommend 2-3 layers deep so the cast holds together well. Add extra to the edges. Work quickly, smoothing the strips as you go along.
4. The gauze will begin to dry in about eight minutes, but as you are applying additional layers, the cast will need to stay in place until it starts to get warm, feel heavier, and eventually separate after 20-30 minutes.
Optional 5. Sand and paint your cast then use a gesso medium to seal it. I love the look of the raw plaster, buy you can “finish” your cast by decorating or painting it!
twin baby boys | baltimore newborn photographer
elizabeth | baltimore newborn photographer
evan | baltimore newborn photographer
twin baby girls | baltimore newborn photography
pasadena maternity photographer | waiting on abby
spring blossom family portraits | baltimore photographer
earth day baby announcement | baby photography
the great cloth diaper change 2015 | greenberries baltimore
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