DaciaRolandoPhotography

It is hard when you’re pregnant to think about something going wrong.  In the Western world, people don’t talk about sick babies and infant loss, especially not to someone expecting a baby.  At least if they have any home training, that is.  But the truth is that sometimes it doesn’t all happen the way you imagine as you write your birth plan.  It doesn’t make it any less beautiful though.

I should know.  I’m a NICU mom.  Being a NICU mom is one of the top three events that define the way I view the world.  It is a huge part of why each infant I photograph is truly a cherished miracle.  My oldest son, Zeke, was born at 29 weeks gestation–three-quarters baked as I often joke now that he’s healthy and indistinguishable from his full-term peers.  The first two months of his life he lived at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  I clutched a grainy photograph of my wired and tubed baby as proof that I was a mom and to show people my amazing little man.

Because of this, I tell my moms at their maternity shoots that I hope and pray they don’t need a NICU.  But if they do, call me.  It may not seem like a moment you want to remember.  At the time it happens, you might be wishing to have a wireless baby and to have it all not be so scary.  But if you’re like me, as you grow out of the panic many days, weeks, or months down the road, you’ll want to remember how it really was.  You’ll want to see how far your sweet baby has come.  You’ll want your family and friends to know, too.  That’s where I come in.  Since you’ve already booked a newborn shoot, we’ll reschedule that shoot with all the props and fun when your baby is healthy.  In the mean time as one NICU mom to another I would be honored to give you the gift of a complementary NICU session.

And that’s what’s next.  I’ve put it after the jump in case there is a pregnant woman reading this that just doesn’t want to go there in her mind.  I get that.  It can be heart wrenching if you haven’t seen a wired baby before.  But there is so much beauty there too, in these little miracles and their will to survive and thrive.  So after the jump, Miss Evie, not even 1 full day old.  She made it to a full-term pregnancy, but there were complications at delivery that sent her to the NICU.  Miss Evie is the picture of health now.  I only share three NICU images with her parents’ permission to let you know I’ll be there for you too, God forbid you need me.

View full post »