Jack's COVID-19 Style Fresh 48 | Pensacola Birth Photographer

I was supposed to be at Jack’s birth in March. Taylor booked with me almost the minute she found out she was pregnant and said over and over again that birth photography was her top priority after a first birth that ended in traumatic cesarean that she didn’t remember much of.

As we approached her due date, we watched hospital restrictions getting tighter and tighter in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We went thru tons of ideas, she even looked into changing to another hospital in Pensacola that still had fewer restrictions. I lobbied for access with all of my hospital contacts, finished up my doula certification, and her amazing OB/GYN, Dr. Calhoun, even called the hospital multiple times on our behalf…and it ALMOST worked.

I was going to be allowed in as her doula. But then — the day before her scheduled c-section — the hospital called to say that the decision had been made to only allow doulas in for vaginal births due to a shortage of PPE. Facepalm.

We were all so disappointed. And then her newborn photographer cancelled on her too. It’s hard to know what to do when everyone is advised not to work. But the window in which to capture the newness of a baby is short (especially a 9+ pounder like Jack). Ultimately I felt like it was my responsibility to do everything I could to soften the blow and capture what memories we could if she wanted to (and she did).

Instead of a birth session, we did a coming home style Fresh 48. Since big brother Adam and the grand parents hadn’t been allowed at the hospital either, we documented everyone meeting and holding the baby for the very first time. And it was so sweet.

For as long as the hospitals aren’t allowing visitors in postpartum recovery, these home coming sessions will continue en lieu of Fresh 48s. To make these feel more like a traditional Fresh 48, here are a few tips:

• Have a special coming home outfit for baby

• Keep everyone’s hospital bracelets on

• Bring home a couple of clean hospital blankets

• Have family decorate your front porch to celebrate welcoming home baby (or decorate a space inside in advance).

• Attempt to coordinate your arrival at home so that siblings, family and I are there to meet you when you pull up.

What other ideas do you have to make a coming home session special?