Hayes’ Birth Story

I have always enjoyed reading the birth stories that other Mamas share. Each birth is so unique and embodies the strength that women have. Sharing the journey that we go through for our little babes to arrive into this world is a beautiful reminder of what a miracle their new life truly is. 

In the days leading up to baby boy’s arrival, I found myself comparing the final doctor appointments and events to B’s birth as the dates were so close together. I wondered how his birth would compare to hers, given that I had a pretty good labor and delivery experience with B. Just like with B, I decided to get a membrane sweep at my 39 week OB appointment. With her, the membrane sweep worked and my water broke at home about 24 hours later and we headed to the hospital - she was born just at the start of the next day. 

THURSDAY 9/9- My OB performed a membrane sweep confirming that she could feel baby boy’s head and he was positioned very low down. I was 3cm dilated at this point. She suggested to walk a bit that night to see if things would start moving along. 

FRIDAY 9/10- Not feeling anything yet, I went to work (at my full time job as a teacher) and successfully made it through the school day without any signs of labor. By this point with B, I was having back labor at the end of the work day. I figured that the membrane sweep must not have worked and that maybe I’d try again at my 40 week appointment. 

SATURDAY 9/11- I felt a couple of cramps when I woke up in the morning but nothing extreme so we went about our day running some errands to get Starbucks and a stop at Trader Joe’s to meal prep for the week. Later in the morning, I started to feel back labor coming on. I remember this feeling from B, where I didn’t feel the typical pain of contractions in the front but only intense pain in my lower back that would come and go at various intervals. They were getting a bit uncomfortable so I began timing them. As B went down for her nap at noon, Josh headed outside to workout, and Grammy worked on the meal prep. I decided to shower incase labor was near and afterwards found myself on a yoga mat in the bedroom doing some stretches to help with the discomfort when the back labor came on. Soon, I called in Josh to help me with counter pressure during the contractions and make sure the final items were in our hospital bags. 

I was still timing my contractions and waiting for the “5-1-1” rule (5 min apart, 1 min each, for 1 hour) or for my water to break to know when it would be “go time”. At this point, B had woken up from her nap (very early) and came in the bedroom with us. I was beginning to feel more and more pain and like I may need an epidural sooner rather than later. Knowing that we live about 20 minutes from the hospital, I told Josh that I think we needed to head in and hope that they wouldn’t send us home if I wasn’t progressed far enough along. Josh loaded up the car, we said goodbye to B and Grammy, and by 1:45 pm we were on the road to the hospital. 

On the drive to the hospital my contractions were about 7 minutes apart and I remember being in very intense pain and grabbing the handle above the car door as they would come on. During the breaks from contractions, I reminded Josh to take pictures while I delivered and the baby arrived. As we drove, I began to get nervous because I was feeling an urge to push. Each time a contraction came on, I tried to do my best to breath through and hold in any pushing sensation that I had. When we arrived I told Josh that I didn’t think I could walk up to the L&D alone so he left the car in the drop off loop, we got checked in through the front COVID procedures desk, and then he wheeled me up to L&D. Once they brought me to the triage room, he headed back down to go park the car. 

Immediately when the nurse came in I told her I was in a lot of pain and feeling an urge to push. So, before doing anything else she said she would check my cervix. Much to my shock, she explained that I was 10 cm dilated and, even more shocking, she asked if my baby was supposed to be breech. She quickly left the room and then brought a doctor back in with her. They checked baby boy’s position on an ultrasound and sure enough he was breech. Somehow he’d flipped head up within less than 48 hours from my OB appointment on Thursday (my OB later said that was a first for her). Since I was fully dilated, there wasn’t much time to wait. Doctors, nurses, and an anesthesiologist filled the small room, explained I would need to go in for a c-section, and that they were trying to get a hold of my OB (who happened to be on call that weekend). At this point I think I was still in a state of shock. This was definitely not the birth experience that I had anticipated and couldn’t quite process how quickly everything was happening. I remember that between contractions I kept apologizing to the nurses for not coming to the hospital sooner (how could I have known) and asking how this all could have happened. 

When Josh returned from parking the car he was greeted by the somewhat chaotic room full of people, and I remember him asking if all this was normal and would everything be alright. They handed him a set of scrubs and told him to get ready to move to the OR. Still in immense pain, they wheeled me down to the OR as I tried to hold in my urges to push each time a contraction came on. On the ride through the halls, I now finally spotted my OB as she was walking in - I was relieved that she made it just in time! 

While they prepped me in the OR, Josh couldn’t be in the room so he was in a waiting area just outside. As they did the spinal, I hunched over and as I grabbed tightly onto my nurse and OB, I was praying it would work! Luckily it kicked in and I had instant relief of my contraction pain. This also meant that I would get to remain awake during the procedure which I was very happy about. I remember feeling so nervous for the c-section but the doctors and anesthesiologist did such a great job talking me through each step along the way. The anesthesiologist even offered to take photos of the birth for us which was amazing! 

At 2:52 pm, Hayes Cayden made his entrance into the world. He weighed 7lbs, 2 oz and was 21 inches long. Cayden means “fighter” and given everything we went through during our pregnancy (read about my pregnancy journey here), we felt this was the perfect middle name for him. Although his birth story was a much different experience than I could have ever imagined, I was so relieved to hear his little cry and know that he was here and healthy! I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and am sure that was the case guiding his birth as well.

Colton’s Newborn Session

The tiniest fingers and toes! At just about a week old, Colton was absolutely precious during his newborn session. Colton is already so in love with his Mommy (and she is smitten with him too)! His favorite place to be during our session was snuggled up with her. She was able to get him sleepy enough for a few tries of swaddling and individual close ups. Danielle was such a natural Mama. She knew exactly what to do to calm Colton and was so patient with him. I know that they are going to build such great memories together and she is going to be such a loving and fun boy mom. Getting to see the bond between the two of them melted my heart. 

Let’s talk about all of the cute details that Danielle planned for his nursery. I can’t get over the navy-blue accent wall that her Dad (Colton’s Grandpa) helped her create. His wooden name sign over the crib completes the room perfectly. Grandpa even worked on making some personalized wooden toys for Colton that were signed “Love Grandpa” – definitely made straight from the heart! 

Danielle, thank you so much for allowing me the honor of joining your sweet family to capture some of Colton’s first moments. I hope that when you look back on these photos you remember the precious newborn moments that go by way too quickly. May you cherish them forever!

Decker Joseph | A Lifestyle Newborn Session

Peoria, AZ

Katie and I have known each other for several years now. We first met back when we were both Math Teachers and had classrooms across the hall from one another. Around that time, we were going through dating, engagements, and wedding planning at the same time as one another. It’s so fun to have a friend who is in a similar stage of life as you and always willing to meet for happy hours to talk dating, wedding planning, and now motherhood.

Flash forward a few years to when Katie & Jeff had their first baby boy, Brayden, around the same time that I was just beginning Jynelle Hatch Photography. Katie was so gracious to let me practice my skills on her blue-eyed babe. We took 6 month milestone photos of Brayden (complete with Sophie the giraffe), cake smash photos for his first birthday, and family Christmas Card photos with their dog Chloi.

When Katie & Jeff welcomed their second boy into the world, I couldn’t wait to capture his little toes & fingers at their in home newborn lifestyle shoot. I can’t ever get enough of the sweet cries and their little features - aren’t newborns just the cutest?!?! The fact that Katie could get her whole family ready for photos, and still have time to look like a GORGEOUS GODDESS only a few days postpartum is rockstar status! In my first few days as a new mom, I don’t think I ever took my PJ’s off (and I remember some middle of the night texts asking Katie “Is _____ normal? How do you _____?” - she was a lifesaver! Needless to say, Katie is a “SuperMom”.

Katie & Jeff’s love for one another and their kids was evident during their session. They have such a fun relationship with Brayden and I know that will develop with Decker as well. It was so precious to watch Brayden give his new little brother kisses and hold his hand - he was taking his new “Big Brother” role very seriously and it made my heart melt!

Thank you so much Katie and Jeff for allowing me the honor of capturing one of Decker’s first few days in this world. You both are truly the best parents to your boys and they are so lucky to have you! I have really treasured our friendship over the years.

Photography: Jynelle Hatch Photography