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Monday, August 23, 2010

Emergence ... (graphic birth photos)

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"Birth is not an emergency. It is simply an emergence."
~ Jeannine Parvati Baker
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"Crowning"
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Everything is accounted for ... the baby's skull bones overlap
allowing his/her head to change its' size and shape
to the size and shape of the Mother's pelvis and birth canal.
For the optimal fit, the baby's head usually delivers
in this position - face towards the Mother's back.
Then the baby's head turns (without assistance)
to line up with his shoulders.
Vernix on the baby's nose - a sterile, luscious, creamy,
protective lanoline-like substance that protects the baby's
skin while submerged in water all those months.
Sliding through the Mother's birth canal gives the
baby's chest the opportunity to be compressed
which aids in the expulsion of fluids from the
baby's mouth, helping to clear the airway.
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The baby's top shoulder is easing its' way
out from under the Mother's pubic bone.
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Now, the bottom shoulder ...
The skull bones back in place - so amazing!
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Feels soooo good to stretch!
9 lbs. 6 oz. boy
21 inch umbilical cord containing one vein and two arteries
surrounded by a protective jelly-like substance
An indescribably beautiful (and my favorite) color!
The squishy placenta has no bones.
My midwife friend says "It slides out like a bar of soap."
The "Tree of Life"
Fetal side of the placenta

Maternal side of the placent and the amntiotic "veil" (membrane)
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5 minutes old
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~ PERFECTION ~
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All Photos Copyright 2010 Patti Ramos. All rights resreved.
Please no copying, reproduction or transfer without permission from Patti Ramos.
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Posted by at 11:00 AM
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39 comments:

  1. It doesn't get more perfect than this.

    This is what it's all about.
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  2. As always, the most breathtaking photos I've ever seen. This birth sequence is spectacular. Thank you so very much Patti for giving us the opportunity to view birth in such a profound way.
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  3. Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing photography!
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  4. That was beautiful! How amazing to catch those incredible moments.
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  5. that's amazing... i have never seen anything quite that beautiful. thank you for sharing this with the world! i think if more people saw this, the world would be a better place for birthing babies! brilliant!!
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  7. I honestly think this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Thanks you for sharing this.
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  8. Hi Patti, I was showing that KVOS footage of you being a doula last weekend and singing your praises as a doula and a photographer. Now, I'll have to send an email out to all the doulas I know and tell them to come and see these outstanding closeups.

    Is your hair really that long now? It was so short in the film. Love you, Gloria Lemay, Vancouver
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  9. Hi Gloria ...

    It is great to hear from you!

    Are you referring to TV special "The Body Female; Having Babies"? Oh my gosh, I had forgotten about that program. Yes, my hair is that long! I made a mistake and went in for a "trim" the day before the filming. Wouldn't you know ... the hairdresser butchered me!

    I hope all is well with you and your family.

    Love,
    Patti
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  10. That is Amazing! Such beautiful photos.
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  11. Hi Patti, I think the pics are amazing. I have two teenage sons, but I remeber asking my midwife at both births to show me the placenta. Both times I felt in awe of the fact that my body had made this and was able to protyect, nourish and birth my babies. Your photografic work shows great respect> God bless. Jolanda London UK
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  12. Patti,
    Those are the most amazing birthing pictures i have ever seen, they are just so beautiful in a million different ways. The baby looked so peace full coming into this world, I wish more would enter the world like that. You did an amazing job capturing the greatest gift in the world. You are the greatest gift to any pregnant woman. Darnell
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  14. Incredible! I am absolutely speechless!
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  15. Simply stunning. I'm siting here in awe.
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  16. Patti--your pictures are so wonderful It would be lovely to see a natural, hands-off birth too--the wrenching around is painful to see! But the photos--great. The placenta ones--I've never seen placenta birth pix this good--thanks!
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  17. perfection indeed! thank you for sharing.
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  18. ican t sa y this is very very wow imege thnx the photografer
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  19. I have never seen photos before these that so clearly show the process of birth in such exquisite detail. I am in awe! Thank you!!!
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  20. The most fantastic birth photos I've ever seen!! you are an amazing artist and obviously an amazing doula too!
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  21. Angela in AtlantaAug 23, 2010 02:03 PM
    I am expecting my first baby due in December. You don't know how much I wish you could be my pregnancy and birth photographer. Do you travel for photoshoots? I live in Georgia. Your work is exceptional. You see beyond the photograph. Thank you for sharing your art with all of us.
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  22. the baby stretching is my favorite part of birth!
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  23. What a fantastic progression of photos! Just beautiful.
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  24. Beautiful pictures!

    I must say though, I do not know why that gloved hand is there touching the head and 'helping' the baby come out and also that the 'stretch' looks more like a startle to me!
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  26. Amazing and wonderfully beautiful!
    Thank you, Patti!
    Kim
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  27. Very beautiful pictures, Specially the pictures when the baby is crowning and no hands on! However I have to react to some details!
    Obviously the vulva is totally shaved, is that due to moms wish or is because of traditions?
    Obviously the mom is in a semi-recumbent position which is not preferable either for mom or baby (Look at the white colour of the skin!) When you have a mom in an upright position you don´t need to manipulate the baby out in the way its done in the pictures.
    Greeting from a Swedish midwife
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  28. Greetings "Swedish Midwife" ~

    It was the mother's personal choice to shave, not just for her birth, but as part of her "grooming" practice.

    The mother chose her own delivery position. There was some shoulder dystocia which is why you see the midwife assisting with the delivery.

    Are you a homebirth midwife?
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  29. perhaps the dystocia was present due to the positioning (although if mom truly chose it--what can one do) AND to all that touching. Every time we touch baby a startle reflex can occur--if this is the case--baby could be startling instead of doing normal internal rotations that would allow this baby NOT to get stuck. Dystocia's are almost always caused by too much meddling and affecting the normal process. Not trying to point fingers--I am sure I caused many in my days of midwifery; but now I know that most of what we see as necessary help--would not have been necessary if we would have left our hands off and out from the start.
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  30. Incredible! Seeing what we accomplish as women never ceases to amaze me....
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  31. thank you so much Patti, for sharing. you captured the wonderment of birth so well. I'm sure this family will be eternally grateful for the gift you have given them.
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  32. very interesting. thanks to all the birthing assistants who discuss the birth, good info to glean from you.
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  33. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
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  34. Wow, love the photos. Such clarity, such an incredible feeling to be able to share it with people.
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  36. Patti, I so enjoy looking at all of your exquisite photos. I wish I could see detailed photos of myself like these when my mom gave birth to me. That baby (and mom) are so fortunate to have this documentation.
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  37. These were so beautiful, never have I seen anything like this...perfection :) Thank you so much for allowing me to see them <3
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  38. This is absolute perfection! Do you have any other photos?
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  39. Beautifully done! Thanks for sharing. The last photo of the baby about to breast feed is cute. His facial expression is like "Do you mind? I'm done with the flashes!" Too cute!
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