Baby Aucamp – Birth photoshoot
I met Anina at a Doula week event early last year. I spoke to her about my birth photography and shared a promo disc with her to show her clients. Later last year I was looking for someone to offer a birth shoot too, and Anina contacted me to tell me she was expecting and she would love if I could document her birth with her new little baby.
I was very excited to share this experience with her, and so we waited for baby Aucamp to arrive. Anina wanted a home birth, which I’ve never done before so that was quite exciting for me. Anina told me that they weren’t going to find out if the baby was a girl or a boy, and that if it was a girl, she would be named after Johan’s Mom, and if it was a boy, he would be named after Anina’s Dad. Anina wanted the new baby to then have a special photo with his/her namesake.
Anina is a HypnoBirthing teacher and a Doula, She used HypnoBirthing techniques through the birth, it is honestly something I think all expectant mommies should try. If you’d like to hear more, you can email Anina on anina@beautifullyborn.co.za
I went onto call when Anina was 37 weeks, but baby Aucamp was determined to stay until 1 day after due date.
I had gone to bed on the evening of the 2nd of April 2014 around 21:30, at 23:13 I received a call from Anina to say it was time, Labour had started at 4pm, but had become active around 8pm. At about midnight I was in my car and on may way. With slightly over 1 hour of sleep, I had so much excitement and adrenalin that I didn’t even feel tired.
I arrived at the Aucamp house at 00:40 on the 3rd of April. And so the magic began.
- Through out the whole labour Johan was so attentive to Anina, it is such a beautiful thing to see a husband be this supportive of his wife ♥
- Here Johan is using Moxa, a deep heat massage to help Anina. He burns the Moxa and then holds it close to the skin
- The room was beautifully scented with oil fragrance
- Sweet little baby Aucamp’s crib
- Elaine is Anina’s Doula and very close friend
- Anina waits for more warm water in the birthing tub
- Heather is one of Anina’s midwives, she is checking on baby’s heart beat
- In between the contractions she smiles
- About an hour after I’ve arrived Anina is in the birthing tub and all is going well
- This is more of what the room looks like
- A beautiful and proud Mommy waiting to welcome her baby
- Ouma Annatjie is grabbing a few Zzz on the bed
- Johan thought this travel pillow was quite handy ;P
- Sweet little Stefan, big brother, had had a bad dream so Daddy brought him into the room to sleep on Mommy and Daddy’s bed
- As time was going Anina was at 8cm dilated
- Little Stefan woke up and wanted to help support Mommy and Daddy
- I love the way Stefan looks at his Mommy
- At this point we all left the room to give Anina and Johan some time alone
- The sun started peeking out around this time
- The bigger kiddies were awake now so Ouma made them some breakfast
- At this point after being in active labour for 11 hours, Anina wasn’t dilating past 8cm
- Ouma Annajie praying for her little girl who is exhausted at this stage
- Anina and Johan agree it is time to go to Femina Hospital to get assistance
- On our way to Femina
- Johan’s Mom arrives for more support
- Anina was strong and determined, such a powerful thing to see
- At this stage Anina has been in active Labour for just over 12 hours
- Heather prepares Anina and Johan for the possibility of having a c-section
- Anina is prepared for surgery
- But just before she is about to go to theatre, baby Aucamp arrives after 15 hours of active Labour
- I was asked not to be in the room when the doctor was there, but I managed to grab this photo from a reflection in a mirror
- Everyone is beside themselves with relief and joy
- Baby gets checked out and is healthy
- Johan, Proud Daddy gets congratulations from the family
- We are all invited in to meet Anina and Johan’s newborn son
- Anina is exhausted, but it is all worth it in the end
- What a big boy he is, Anina is in tears when she is told how big her new baby is
- Oupa Dries has arrived, baby is being named after him
- Oupa Dries and baby Andries Aucamp
- Proud grandmas
- Thank you Anina and Johan for inviting me to be a part of this amazing journey. It was an honour to share this with you ♥
Comments
comments