Birth of Finn at Sacred Heart on The Emerald Coast | Destin Birth Photographer
Even though I’m based in Pensacola, I’m sometimes lucky enough to call myself a Destin birth photographer.
When Clotho called me in November 2019 about the possibility of documenting her birth at Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast, I was so excited. It isn’t often that I am available so last minute, but I’d just returned home from traveling and the buffer I’d blocked off left me with an opening.
She has a great story too!
“We have been trying for years to have another baby. After multiple miscarriages, failed IVF, and two years spent trying to adopt, we finally accepted that another child would not be joining our family. Our adoption efforts ended in January of this year and in March I got pregnant completely naturally (and unexpectedly) at the age of forty-five. After years of infertility, I expected to lose this baby as well, but week after week and then month after month, this baby has held on. We are so close now, but I don’t think I’ll fully exhale until I am holding this baby in my arms.”
Not only was this a miracle baby, but at the time she, her husband Brant, and 7-year-old Dash actually lived in Azerbaijan (it’s a small country near Turkey). After the age of thirty-five, a pregnancy is termed ‘geriatric pregnancy’ and is considered high risk.
Knowing the medical care in Azerbaijan wouldn’t be the best for her pregnancy, she packed up Dash and flew halfway around the world, without Brant, to finish out her final trimester in Destin, Florida. Her parents live here, so it was ideal.
Birth at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast
Clotho knew she didn’t want an epidural and she was vehemently against Pitocin after a terrible experience with it the first time around. Naturally, she was hoping to avoid induction, but that wasn’t in the cards. At ten days overdue she went in have Dr. Sledge break her water in hopes of starting labor.
Her doula, Megan Scott with Makai Therapeutics and Stronger Together Birth Collaborative, met her at the hospital. Megan tried several techniques to get contractions to pick up, but they remained less than adequate and eventually, Clotho decided to give Pitocin a try.
And all she needed was a whiff. Pitocin can come with a lot of pain and suffering for some, but in less than an hour Clotho transitioned, the Pitocin was turned off, and we were ready to have a baby!
Surprise baby boy, Finn was born into the most joyful environment and loving arms. His brother and grandparents swooped right in to love on him.
I think this will always be one of my favorite births. From the vibrant, happy mood to the glorious light streaming in from all of the incredible windows in the birth suite, it was an overall dream for a documentary photographer and storyteller.
Destin Birth Photographer
If you are interested in having me photograph your birth in Destin or beyond, my best advice is to book it early in your pregnancy. Once I am committed to births in Pensacola, FL or Mobile, AL it becomes more difficult to take a birth in 2-hours in the opposite direction.