4 Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping | Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer

In my 3 years of birth photography and videography experience, I have been drawn to so many elements presented before me in the birth space. Because of my decision to niche and only offer my services for home births, I frequently see similar birth plan decisions play out in the birth space. One of those being delayed cord clamping. I have yet to see any babies not delayed. I wondered what the benefits were, as this wasn't a known thing when I had my own babies in 2009 + 2012. As a person with a BS in developmental psychology, anything that affects a baby's health or development interests me. I thought I would share with you what I found.

According to the American College of obstetricians and gynecologists, here are 4 benefits of delayed cord clamping.

#1 Blood Benefits

In full term newborns, delayed cord clamping increases hemoglobin levels at birth and improves iron stores in the first months of life, which in turn can affect development. I know both of my boys had "low hemoglobin" and I remember  wondering how and why, as I was nursing. My 2nd baby, I even went so far as to serve him liver for one of his first foods and he still had this issue.

#2 Circulation + preterm babies

Delaying cord clamping was associated with SIGNIFICANT neonatal benefits in PRETERM babies. It improves their circulation, then better establish red blood cell volume.

#3 Premature Babies Benefit

In Premature babies, there is a lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (a severe complication within the intestines in premature babies).

#4 Reduced risks for preterm babies

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping also decreases the need for a blood transfusion and decreases risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.

If I were having a baby today, I would have a doula ready to keep the hospital from clamping too early especially if I went into labor early.

If you are thinking about having your birth filmed and photographed, please reach out! 

Birth Photography + Videography FAQ's

#1. What can you expect from your birth videographer + photographer? (aka me!)

I am a professional birth videographer and photographer who believes in throwing 150% of myself into each and every birth. My goal is to give you the best photos and video I can from the day of your birth. I believe in building a relationship with my clients (especially birth since it is such a sacred space!). This is why I not only meet you before we go through the booking process, but I meet you at your home. I want to see your birth space and see the vision you have for your birth. My goal is to bring you back to the very moment your baby entered the world for years to come.

#2 How soon should you book your birth photographer + videographer?

Immediately. I know that you have to go through the process of hiring a midwife and possibly a doula and getting insurance in order to pay for your home birth, but don't be afraid to start the conversation while you are getting your ducks in a row. I only take on 6 births a year, so availability is extremely limited.

#3 When do I arrive at your birth and how long do I stay?

I aim to arrive 2-3 hrs before delivery, around 6-7 cm (all a guesstimate, as we know!) and stay approximately 2 hours after birth. I am aiming to capture all of your transition phase of birth as well as immediately after birth as you have skin to skin, cut the cord, latch for the first time. I will also capture daddy holding baby for the first time, baby getting weighed and measured during their newborn assessment and then if applicable, the siblings meeting their little baby sibling.

#4 What happens if I miss the birth?

I give my clients the option of either having me call in a backup or converting their fees to other types of photography. Most often, clients don't want an unknown person walking into their birth space, so most often we plan to convert it to a credit (this has never happened by the way!). Clients can then use it for a family film or photography sessions.

#5 Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, I do! I can divide it up into 4-6 payments, depending on your preference. As long as your invoice is paid in full by 36 weeks, all is well!

Nashville Birth Photographer | Should I hire a photographer who doubles as a doula?

I gave birth to my 2nd son in 2012, and had a doula and a midwife at my birth at Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville, TN. I loved them both and could not imagine my birth without them. My doula, made a HUGE difference in my labor pains. In fact, when she left to go to the bathroom, I was so upset she wasn't working on my back because it made such a difference and I had a contraction while she was in there.I also had a filmmaker at my birth and have been obsessed with my birth film since. It is absolutely one of my most treasured possessions.There is no way I could have had one person fill these roles. Each one had their own very complex job that required a lot of brain work and I could not have gone through a contraction without my doula, and therefore, she also could not have been photographing and or videoing my birth for me.Years later, as I have stepped into the role of Birth Videographer and photographer, I have seen sweet well meaning people in the industry of birth, offer both as a package. I have explored this idea for myself and also what my opinion of it was. I have talked to mothers who have had doulas and I have spoken to many birth workers themselves and they all say the same thing... One person cannot do both jobs well. I have also heard from birth workers that they have witnessed these individuals in person and that they were not able to be there for the client as a birth support because they were too busy trying to capture their birth. I have a friend who is both a doula and a birth photographer, she said she offered the combo twice and that "it was terrible" and so she never offered the combination again. She made them hire her for one or the other and then hire another person.You, are the mother. This is YOUR birth. This is your choice. But because it is so important for the birth space and experience, I felt compelled to share my thoughts in a blog. I will never put the ability to book clients because I sold them a package deal to beat my competition or to make my brand look better, over the ability to provide the BEST footage of their birth. My clients come first, not my profits. But also, I do not know the intentions of these sweet meaning people and have no idea why they decided to offer both. My only assumption is to provide a package deal. But if the package deal does not serve the client, then it should not be offered.To learn more about Documenting Birth, click here.

Franklin Birth Videographer + Photographer | Erin's Birth Story

The sun was shining so brightly. It was around lunch time, when my dear client, Erin, texted me it was time to head her way. A Baby would be born!I arrived at 12:30. The sun was coming into her bedroom, where baby would enter the world.  It was a truly beautiful sight.The midwife and her nurse assistant were there, already tending to mom's needs. Haven Birth and Wellness is an amazing Home birth midwifery practice out of Franklin, Tennessee. About 10 years ago, Lauren (the lead midwife and starter of Haven) was my midwife at Vanderbilt when I had my son. She was so amazing. I hope someday to film a birth that she is the attending midwife at.Shortly after I arrived, Erin's doula, Dani, came. Dani (Motheringarrows on ig)  brought such a peaceful presence with her. The environment was already pretty peaceful. But Dani was this quiet calm spirit. It was amazing observing her in her element. My favorite part was when she prayed over Erin during labor.The first part of Erin's birth journey had some emotions, fear and anxiety trying to take hold. I loved capturing her tears and her voice as she voices her fears and thoughts. In my opinion, this is just par for the course. Bringing a baby into the world is a place of vulnerability. It is my opinion that the best births come from women who are able to fully let go and embrace all of their vulnerability. So, working through the emotions is part of how we arrive at delivering the baby.Erin's husband was amazing. Between contractions, he would whisper to her. I don't have the audio in a way that actually gives us what was said. and, I kind of like that its a secret between the two of them. In the film, I will have that audio and that conversation - and we don't know what is said. But they do. and they will remember. It is truly such a beautiful moment between husband and wife.Erin's labor starts to intensify. You can sense her fear and then as she works through each contraction, you can sense her letting go and submitting fully. With Jesus and her birth team, Erin feels fully supported in her journey of bringing her baby boy into the world.Dani wrote in her instagram story the most beautiful perfect wording to describe this stage of birth for Erin (and many mothers). "The end. The part where you really come to the end of yourself. I told one of the midwives yesterday that there's a whole mindset in the birth world that 'you got this' ... and the reality is... you can't... NOT alone. God designs birth to break us...to break the complete end of ourselves. We find HIM in this place, if we choose to look up and fix our eyes. I think that's why I have always treasured birth, found it so utterly profound and beautiful. It's because as we lose ourselves, and find HIM and he swoops right in and holds us and helps us get our babies here."I hope Dani writes more about her introspection into the birth space. She has profound intelligence into the depth of birth.Erin was breathtaking and a warrior in her birth. That sweet baby came into the world, both shoulders simultaneously coming at brute force (poor Erin, but she did it!) all 8 lbs of this precious boy.Thank you for reading. If you want to inquire about birth videography and photography in the Nashville area, contact me here. P.S. Erin wore this beautiful night gown from free people in cream during her early labor and in navy after baby was born.    

Nashville, Tennessee Birth Photographer + Videographer | Crystal's Birth Video

Up until recently, I haven't been able to offer Birth Films or Photography. We dont have family that lives in the area and my kids were too young. But our lives have shifted. My husband's job is more flexible to be able to leave and come home midday if needed. My boys are now 9&12 and can stay at home for limited times.

For the past 4 years, I have had my dozen or so doulaand midwife friends beg me to do births. But I resisted for the reasons already mentioned, plus I really needed my sleep.

Crystal is amazing. I was crying as I was filming. I was in awe of her calm and bravery. Crystal has 2 girls and this was her 3rd. Her first two were hospital inductions. She’s a nicu nurse as well and dreamed of her home birth. 

After Presley (her 3rd baby girl) was born, she said home birth unmedicated was significantly easier than hospital induction. 

I was at her house for about 2 hrs before baby arrived earth side. 

What I found most fascinating about this home birth was the lack of interference or commentary. Never did anyone announce how close to birth she was. How dilated she was. They were very hands off. They knew momma could birth. And they simply allowed it. 

At one point crystal said “for a second I thought I could push but it went away” and the midwife replied “okay then don’t push”

Basically. Trust yourself. 

Trusting your self is 95% of everything. And 100% of how a baby is birthed. 

Crystal's Birth Midwife: https://www.sararosser.com

Crystal's Doula: https://www.rebirthingwellness.com

Crystal's Placenta Encapsulation: https://www.instagram.com/the.mamadoula/

Crystal took the time to write a review on my google page: "Jennie is so amazing!!! What she captured during my daughter's birth is absolutely priceless! Watching her video afterwards was such an empowering, whimsical, and spiritual experience!!! There were moments that had just happened days before that I had already forgotten, until I saw the video! My 2 yo, who was present at the birth, requests to watch the video frequently, she absolutely loves it. I can not wait for my youngest to be able to see the moment she came into this world! My only regret is not having any of her videos before now! If I were to ever have another birth, setting aside and prioritizing funds in order to have her there will be a must for me! I look forward to having her do family films for us in the future! Hands down she is THE BEST in the business! Her passion and talents are a true gift! And she truly cares about each and every client! Having her at our birth was absolutely a blessing from God! If you don't hire Jennie, you will regret it!"

Big Sister was there for her momma a lot. Both girls were in the room and absolutely not panicked about what was happening. Kids often have an internal sense of what is happening. It is so neat to watch.

This bottom image of dad, mom and baby ripped me to shreds emotionally. Just an absolutely amazing moment. Raw emotion. I would love to capture your birth! Let's chat.

xoxo

Jennie