Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of Hosanna Dawn Joy
Madison was due the weekend after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving night as I headed to bed, she had sent me a text "Hi! We are about to try & head to bed. Contractions have been consistent for the last hour or so & I’ve been having quite a bit of bloody show. We’ll call or V will when it’s time!"I tried to get sleep (it is so hard to sleep when you think you'll head out soon!)At 10:38, her doula, Viergeni White, texted me "Hey lady! I’m Madison’s doula and I’m about to head over. She’s contracting about 6m apart lasting over a minute"Given it was Madison's 3rd baby and her previous births were not slow by any means, I slowly got ready and left. I got to her home around 11:39. No one else was there. I filmed a few clips of them in the partially lit room, alone. It was intimate and incredibly beautiful, just me and them. Around midnight, Viergeni arrived. Apparently that was all Madison needed because literally when her doula walked in, things picked up fast. We started to wonder if baby was going to come before the midwife got there. The tub was finally ready, and Madison hopped in. Within a few contractions, just as the midwife (Tanya Green) arrived, baby was born. She was born at 12:36!!! I was not even there an hour before baby came. I am really amazed at how long her birth film is, because I left around 2:20 am and I remember feeling so odd leaving already. But I had stayed through everything, it all just went so fast. and mom was tired and ready for rest. I was home by 3 am. I woke up in the morning and my mother in law said "No baby yet, huh?" and I said, "actually, yes!" and she was amazed I had gone and come back and slept all since she went to bed.If you are thinking about having your home birth filmed, I would LOVE to chat with you! Enjoy this incredible birth film and some photos!
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Best Doulas in Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, TN and Beyond!
As a Nashville Birth Videographer and Photographer, I am blessed to be able to attend many home births. As such, I get to see so many birth providers and doulas and midwives support women in their journey of bringing their newborn into the world.Hiring a doula is such an integral part of your birth plans. I did not have a doula with my first birth and it turned out the epidurals do not work on my body (they gave me 3 and all 3 failed). So for my 2nd birth, I attended Bradley Method Birth Classes and hired me a doula!It was 2012, and the birth world wasn't what it is today. I found a few and interviewed them but ultimately chose a woman named Beulah (Man, if she wasn't 70 and was starting her business today, what a marketing campaign for Beulah the Doula!). She was amazing. Calm and centered. and I adored her. (I would recommend her, but I don't think she's practicing much these days!). All that to say, I truly know the importance of having a doula that meshes well with you and can stand up for you, plus support you WELL.Here are my top faves!!!
- Viergeni White. I have attended a few births with this lady and she is hands down the BEST doula. You know, being the best doula doesn't really have to do with WHAT they do? It's how they do it. It's their presence. Their soul. any doula can "do all the right things" but it really comes down to that plus their spiritual self and presence in the birth space. This sweet lady has such a deep connection with her moms, she prays audibly, shows up so happy to be there. She is so in tune with mom. Is just amazing.
2. Lyss Moore. I have not yet gotten to be in a birth with Lyss, but I have heard many MIDWIVES rave about her. She holds women well in their time of need and has a big heart for birth.3. Kimberly Williams. Kimberly is amazing. She's a gentle soul and loves the lord. She is an incredible doula with a peaceful presence in the birth space.
4. Amanda Githaiga. I have not yet had a birth with this doula, but she comes highly recommended by doulas on this list! She is who other doulas would hire for their birth - which speaks volumes. She is crunchy and Christian, which matters to many.5. Lauren Glass. I had a long VBAC with this lovely doula. She spent many hours with this momma, supporting her and helping her, mentally and physically. Mom even got transferred and Lauren's energy never waned. She is fierce and loving - an amazing combination for a doula.
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of Owen Jesse
Jessie hired me with some slight risk attached to it. She was due around the time I would be in Tampa Florida for a family film. But it was her 4th baby and she always goes later.... so we took the risk. When a client hires me for birth, we talk about the chance I don't make it to their birth. They basically get a credit for the amount they spent for future film and photography. She and I both entered into this willingly and hopeful. Well, a hurricane hit Florida, so I was in fact here and she did in fact go later as well.on the day she gave birth, she sent me a few texts about things potentially starting. It was breakfast time so I simply got ready in case I got the call. She goes fast and lives 35 minutes away. I started to get a feeling around 11 am and went into town to be closer to her. I texted her midwife (she and I are friends) to ask if she was the one on call. and She was! (Lauren Drees of Haven Birth and Wellness). Not only that but she was grateful for the heads' up (Jessie had not yet contacted her) so she could get showered and ready since she knew she would be on video! I ended up hanging out a friend's house for a bit when I got the call to come. I was all of 7 minutes away. We all arrived about 90 mins before baby arrived 🤣🤣🤣 So I think we all played our cards right!Jessie is so funny in birth. She's very chatty in between contractions and there are very few signs she's about to give birth. Her doula of 4x was there and let us know "this is how she is all the way up until pushing!" I don't think Jessie had more than handful of contractions in the tub before baby was arriving earth side!Day time births are my specialty it seems. After the tub birth, Jessie moved into a guest room for her postpartum. The light was OUT of the world!!! Just breathtaking. I loved editing this birth and making the prayer from Grandpa included. It is so special and I wanted them to always remember it.If you want your birth captured on video and photos, please let's chat!
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of June
In June, I had the honor of filming and photographing a birth for a client whom I have worked with many times in the past few years. She first hired me to capture the home birth of her 2nd child, a boy a few years back. She has since done annual family films and each baby has had a newborn session. This was my first birth client to have hired me for a 2nd birth, which was really exciting. Both of her home births were daytime and just gorgeous. She hired Haven Birth + Wellness both times. I love that I get to be at many Haven births each year. I have grown close to the entire midwifery team and just love when we get to share the same birth space.My favorite part of how Erin moves through the journey of labor and birth, is how she verbalizes. It just makes her birth films have so much more story to them, and I love it. She verbalizes her fears and anxieties and what she is feeling physically. I love the story of her feelings and how her birth team really supported her. If you think you want your home birth filmed, you can contact me here. You can watch her film below:
Nashville Birth Photographer | The Birth of Shiloh Owen
Being hired to video and photograph the most important days of a family's live.... it's just beyond words. It's a gift, and honor, and I truly never take it for granted.
Krista reached out to me about filming her birth. She and her husband are former wedding videographers themselves. There is no greater compliment than when other photographers and videographers choose me.
I was incredibly blessed to be able to come to Krista's birth of her 3rd baby, during the day time. We had such gorgeous weather for her March Birth. Her home birth team was incredible. Krista's labor progressed so fast, we worried the midwife would not make it! Baby was born within 10 minutes of the midwife arriving. It was fast, but incredibly beautiful.
Krista and Patrick did not find out the gender of their baby until he arrived. It was such an incredible moment as she found out he was a boy!
Doula: Kimberly Williams of https://growingyournest.com/
Midwife: Cameron https://libertymidwife.com/
The Birth of Shiloh PG from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
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!
The Birth Story of Melody Ann | Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer
Melody Ann Rhodes Allen Birth Story (as told by the mother, Emily)
December 29th 2023
With her 1 month Earth side quickly approaching (Friday) I didn’t want to put off sharing our birth story any longer! I am so proud to share our story. When preparing for a home birth, listening and reading about positive home births and mamas experiences was so beneficial for me. My hope is that this would serve as the same for others ❤️ Daniel recorded some time stamps so I’m going to go through the sequence of events in that way.
The Birth of Melody Ann | December 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Brief context and a little bit of my why on choosing a homebirth. I had the pleasure of meeting my beloved midwives as my own clients before I ever became one of theirs. Over the span of knowing Sarah fuqua for a few months into a year I met Sara Rosser. We became fast friends and I grew to understand their work a lot more. We shared a lot of commonalities with all things natural and holistic. I had always wanted a third child but felt so blessed to have two healthy children, so I had come to terms with having our two and calling it quits, well, God had other plans! ❤️ I’ll always say the Sarah’s final last words were if you ever have a third…😉 From the very first prenatal appointment in our living room I could tell this experience was already going to be vastly different from my previous two births. I felt held, heard, understood , and incredibly lucky to be under the care of my friends. Then I had the pleasure of meeting the force of nature that is Jennie our photographer. If I was going to do this I wanted it to be documented and she is the ultimate expert in this field!! We had the all-star team in place! I was already confident in my body with the way I birthed my other two (induced/epidural/vaginal delivery/labor time lasting less than 8 hours for both) so I was ready to embark on this new adventure!
2:45 AM: I woke up to a sudden leak of fluid and when I got up to check I dismissed it and went back to lay down. Not a minute later I felt baby move and this time a lot more fluid was leaking out so Daniel and I both got up and I got a test strip to check if it was amniotic fluid, sure enough, it was! We looked at each other excitedly! I was so excited to have this happen naturally for me and not have my waters broken in the hospital like with my other two. I called Sarah Fuqua to let her know and she told me “I was just dreaming you were calling me and then I picked up!” (I swear God made her for this work) she proceeded to tell us to try to lay back down and rest and that she understood it may be difficult to since our adrenaline spiked but that we’d need all the energy for labor in the near future. So we listened and tried to fall back asleep. We may have dozed off a little bit but eventually I just woke up expectant of baby’s arrival soon!
4:30 AM: I took a shower and prayed for Daniel, baby and myself, our midwives, my sister and our photographer. I prayed everything would flow seamlessly and that this birth would turn out to glorify him. I gave up my surrender and told him I trust in his design to help me birth my baby.
5:00 AM: By this time my sister had woken up and met us with the same amount of excitement we both were having! We started reminiscing on our birth stories together and it was such special time spent that I won’t ever forget. I had imagined that since my water broke I would start contracting soon but nothing was happening other than a steady flow of fluid.
We hung out chit chatting until our kiddos woke up at 6:45 and 7:15. Grace and Daniel made them breakfast, got them dressed and sent off to hang out with our best friends Jake and Cristy who live in our neighborhood.
9 AM rolls around and I still wasn’t feeling anything, like nothing at all, just more fluid leaking. I kind of started getting discouraged because I thought I should be feeling something by now. I asked my midwives what I could be doing to get things started. They had me start the miles circuit which is laying in certain positions to get the baby in optimal birthing position. I spent about an hour doing that until their arrival at our house.
11:15 AM I told them I am ready to do whatever in order to meet our baby soon! Another final last words scenario…😂 Sarah fuqua proceeded to have me climb our stairs three steps at a time for 15 mins straight 🥵 I felt like I bossed that out 💪🏻 and was ready to move on to the next thing. Shaking apples! That helped baby get into a good position. After this I contemplated a cervical check…I was always used to cervical checks in the hospital and didn’t necessarily think I wanted to do that this time around. But, my eagerness got the best of me and I asked them check. They said I was dilated to 4 centimeters…In my previous labors 4 centimeters was the point when I got an epidural so I was excited to feel everything in its entirety moving forward.
12:15 PM we came up with a game plan on what I’d do next; eat lunch, maybe go walk around target, come back and rest. My sweet friend Betsy showed up with lunch for us and during that time I experienced a large contraction. Hoorayyyy!! Bets prayed with me which was such a burst of encouragement to get me started into my steady flow of contractions. We ditched the game plan of going to Target because I felt like I needed to head upstairs to get more comfortable.
12:30 PM By this point my contractions were lasting 1 min each and coming 4 mins apart. Technically this indicates active labor, but I was in denial. I was hunched over holding myself up on our bed mumbling “I think I’m fine, don’t call Jennie yet”. To which Daniel and Grace called BS and called the troops in 😂 (thankfully) Then they asked if I wanted them to set the birth pool up. We wanted to time it just right so the water would stay warm. I couldn’t get out a yes or no and just said “I don’t know” and Grace said “that’s our answer” so they proceeded to start filling up the pool. Now this part of our home birth was Daniel’s territory. He was going to handle the pool and filling it up. When we went to do a practice round of blowing up the pool and connecting the water hose to our shower head, the water wasn’t fully flowing through the hose and kind of leaking out. Daniel said it’d be fine and that we didn’t need an adapter but he’d use tape if needed 🫠 alas, the day comes and as im contracting on and off the toilet and swaying side to side on all fours on the ground, I see water splashing all up and down the wall. The water wasn’t filling the pool fully and we ran out of hot water. To which I then start to cry and express “I knew this was going to happen!! I just wanted the water to work out!” Grace explained in this moment her and Daniel shared a gaze of terror like we are about to figure this sh*t out if it’s the last thing we do, lol! So they snapped into action with a new plan.
1:50 PM So by this time my midwives were actively guiding and coaching me through contractions. Grace and Daniel, the king and queen that they are started heating up multiple pots and bowls of water on the stove and microwave to take up the stairs to fill the tub (by any means necessary 😂) I was so thankful I was able to get relief in the warm pool water. All while that was happening Sarah fuqua had me on the dilation station (toilet) with my feet up on a squatty potty (not my favorite thing in the world) but this was getting me more and more dilated, I could feel it.
2:30 PM My photographer Jennie rushes over and arrives right in perfect timing! Praise Jesus!! Another perfectly timed part of our story. I remember I asked for music to be put on. “what my fathers like” by Bridge Worship came on and the intro had me in tears. The songs lyrics always made me cry during my pregnancy and it gave me comfort during this part of my labor. “After all that I’d done, didn’t know what I’d find, but you ran out to me, and to my surprise put a robe on my back a ring on my hand a crown on my head and you welcomed me in” This was such a impactful moment for me to remind me how much I am loved by my Father and how he always takes care of me. I was so proud of my body and the decision I made to birth at home. I was trusting the process and trying to stay as limp as possible and just let my body do its thing rather than tense up. After this I got out of the pool and into our bed. Sarah and Daniel started massaging my hips and applying counter pressure which felt so good! She had me alter from side to side which did not feel so good lol. I remember feeling at this point like I couldn’t go on any longer to which I expressed to Sarah and her reply was “you were made to do this, just melt into the bed” those words pushed me through the mental wall I was facing. The next feeling I had was intense pressure to go to the bathroom 💩 I actually fully thought I 💩 on the bed and I was very embarrassed, but come to find out never did (so crazy how it feels like that!) I really wanted to birth in the pool so I made a quick move from the bed into the pool, where I started to feel the overwhelming urge to push. The contractions were very intense at this point and I knew baby was about to arrive. I was on my knees in the pool with my arms draped over the edge completely focused on my body and my baby. Daniel and Sarah were positioned behind me pouring the warm over me and getting ready to receive our bundle of joy. I summoned all the energy I had left and with two primal roars and two huge pushes our newborn baby was out at 3:15 PM!!
During this pregnancy we decided to be surprised by the gender of our baby. So moments after the birth, I excitedly asked, is it a boy or girl!?! Daniel took a look and got to proclaim we had another precious baby girl!!! We were so happy! I had always heard the natural unmedicated post birth euphoria was unexplainable and transformative. I was so proud of my decision, I GOT to experience it this time! That was the most incredible thing I have ever been through. My body is incredible. I am incredible. My baby girl is incredible. My husband is incredible. My birth team is incredible. BIRTH is INCREDIBLE!!! Undisturbed, unmedicated, physiological birth. It is how God intended. It is whole. It is perfectly by design. It is not scary. It is transformative. It is powerful. It is sacred. It is the forging into motherhood. I have been made new, for the third time. In charge, confident, remarkable mama bear who accomplished her goal, my Everest. Thank you to my whole rockstar team and my incredible community of friends and family to help turn this into a reality. I wouldn’t have been able to take the steps needed to see this through, with out you. I will be forever grateful, I love you!!!
If you would like your birth videoed and photographed, you can contact me here!