A Birthy End to a Wonderful Year.

Birth is by far one of my favourite things to photograph. It's unpredictable, intense, emotional, raw, beautiful, and my goodness there is nothing in this world like being present for the birth of a baby. There really are no two birth the same. And I am truly honoured every single time. Choosing a birth photographer is hard. How do you choose?! I would start by looking at their work. Do you like their style? Take a look at their experience, and their packages. Meet with them and talk, make sure you are a good fit. Ask questions. 
After I meet with my clients I do a complimentary mini maternity session. This way you can see yourself through my eyes before you invest in me and trust me to document one of the most amazing days of your life! Since you certainly can't reshoot your birth experience you'll want to make sure you choose the right photographer for you. If you are expecting a wee one and would like to meet for coffee or a milkshake or something, contact me and we'll arrange a time and a place! 

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This Mama just gave birth to baby #2 this morning!! What a wonderful way to start my day. When we went to the park to take maternity photos after we met, I couldn't help but snap some shots of their little lady. She was so magical. Such personality which really shines in these images. And photographing her today as an official big sister after the birth was one of the cutest things. I will not be surprised if she becomes a midwife when she grows up! But I'll see them again next week when I get to go to their home for a newborn session! So much to look forward to with this story! 

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This beautiful Mama to be is officially full term! I will be getting a call from her soon. The day we went out to take pictures was quite possibly my favourite fall day. She was radiant, the leaves were radiant. It was perfect. The images we got are breathtaking. I can't wait for her big day, any day!! 

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And a few weeks ago this cute couple welcomed their surprise baby girl in to the world. They booked a stand-by birth because I was booked in Winnipeg for a week during the on-call time, so I had a back up ready to go during the time I was away. And alas! Even though I know this couple was in good hands, it still pains me when I am unable to attend my standby births. Standby births are when someone books me during a time I can't guarantee I will be able to attend because I am either already booked for a birth for around the same EDD, or I'm out of town. But I always have a back up available in those times.   

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www.heatherbays.com

The Birth of Attis

{birth story}

Sometimes birth doesn't go as planned, like this mama's natural birth. Everything was perfect and normal through her pregnancy until the end when she learned that baby was not in the ideal position. Baby was bum down head up and legs by his head. But, hope wasn't lost, there was chiropractics, and acupuncture and of course there was still a chance he'd turn on his own and if he didn't they could do an ECV. 
Well, meet Attis. He was born at 36 weeks via c-section in frank breech position before being wheeled off to the NICU where he would he stayed for a few days. Luckily his mama got to go in to labour on her own which helps the body postpartum. Having the natural hormones in her body will help with milk production along with giving her a better chance of avoiding PPD which is more common in cesarean sections, especially when mom and baby are separated right away. She also had her placenta encapsulated which is another way to help your body postpartum. So when a natural birth was no longer an option for her, she took control of the situation by listening to her body and focusing on the things she did have control over instead of the things she didn't. 

And now after 3 weeks, Attis is doing very well and so is she! As of a couple days ago, he is exclusively breastfed! Perfect timing for his first growth spurt! All that pumping and determination paid off! Go mama!! 

***   now press play to watch this beautiful powerful birth story   ***

Sometimes birth doesn't go as we planned, like this mama's natural birth. Meet Attis. He was born at 36 weeks via c-section in frank breech position. Luckily his mama got to go in to labour on her own helping her body postpartum. Having the natural hormones in her body will help with milk production along with giving her a better chance against PPD. She also had her placenta encapsulated which in another way to help your body postpartum. So when her natural birth was no longer an option, she took control of the situation by listening to her body and focusing on the things she did have control over. So now after 3 weeks, Attis is doing very well and so is his mama! As of a couple days ago, he is now exclusively breastfed! All that pumping and determination paid off! Go mama!! Your child's birth day is the biggest day of your life. It's such an intimate time. To witness and photograph the birth of a baby is one of the most special things in the whole world. So magical. Such real raw tender emotional moments are captured. The images are breathtaking. And the first hours after birth are so euphoric. The most overwhelming amount of love. It's hard to have clear memories because it's a whirlwind of new life. To have these moments documented is unbelievably precious. The joy they will bring you every time you look at them! Very special photos for the new parents to have. And what an incredible thing for your child to see. Imagine being able to see images of the day you were born? So cool. Photography by Heather Bays Music by Sigor Ros