Let me just start by saying that this one was extra special to me. I’ve known Nefi since she was like eight years old, maybe longer honestly, and getting to be in the room when she brought her baby girl into the world was freaking unforgettable! Watching someone you love become a mom is a whole new level of magic. 🥹And being able to work with the amazing nurses at Longs Peak Hospital again, and meeting Carole from CU Center for Midwifery in Longmont, was a true treat!
Nefi describes herself as a “professional coffee drinker, semi-pro diaper changer, and now the proud parent of a brand-new human named Amelie.” Amelie made her debut at 7 lbs 6.3 oz and 19 inches long ON HER DUE DATE (which never happens!!) and according to her mama, she “instantly became the boss of the house.” Sounds about right!
A Plot-Twist Pregnancy
“This was a surprise pregnancy,” Nefi shared. “I genuinely thought the test was broken!” After taking three more (because, duh), she ordered fries and broke the news to her husband. “It was the biggest plot twist of my life, unexpected and a little terrifying.” But from that point forward, it was a journey complete with cravings, crying over squirrels, and even gestational diabetes.
Despite all the chaos, she said, “I grew more in love with the tiny human growing inside me… Now that she’s here, surprise or not, I can’t imagine life without her.”
The Start of Labor
Nefi made it all the way to 40 weeks (🙌), despite the high-risk tag. “I talked to my midwives, asked every question imaginable, and explored my options. We decided to try a membrane sweep, and… WOAH. Let’s just say my body got the message fast.”
Within hours she was in labor, and by the time she got to Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont, she was already 6cm dilated. “My husband was busy texting everyone the update while I was just sitting there, in disbelief, waiting for our baby to arrive.”
Her care team at the CU Center for Midwifery Longmont played a huge role in making her feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Let’s Talk Contractions…
Nefi labored for 15-16 hours, and says, “I felt so bad for having everyone there so late.” She apologized so much we jokingly created an imaginary “sorry” jar that we told her she’d need to put a dollar in every time she apologized! She also adds, “Once you have the right people by your side, it makes things easier and calming.”
“The BIGGEST support I truly loved was how Kylie set the room and helped me get through labor with her techniques!!” (Yes ma’am!)
Pushing, Placentas, and Peak Comedy
After getting to 8cm on her own, Nefi chose to get the epidural. She ended up pushing for FOUR HOURS at 9cm because her body wasn’t giving her the urge to push. One of the nurses grabbed a sheet and did tug-of-war with her to help. “She was seriously strong!” 😂
Her birth summary is gold, so I’ll let her tell it:
“My birth experience? Oh, it was… interesting. I went in hoping for a quick ‘in-and-out’ situation—like grabbing takeout. Instead, my body said, ‘Buckle up, this is a multi-day event.’”
And my personal favorite:
“The real MVP moment? Delivering the placenta. That thing came out and I was like, ‘OH THANK GOD, the sequel is over.’ Absolute relief. 10/10, would eject again. Now let’s talk about the not-so-fun part: the infamous ring of fire. It’s that moment when your body feels like it’s trying to stretch a watermelon through a keyhole. I’ve never screamed at my own anatomy before, but that day I had words. In the end, it was messy, magical, painful, and hilarious in a ‘laugh so you don’t cry’ kind of way. Would I do it again? Sure… once I forget the fire and the whole ‘camping out in labor’ part.”
Meeting Amelie
Nothing could’ve prepared her for the moment she held her daughter for the first time. “I couldn’t stop staring—I kept thinking, ‘You’re real. You’re actually here.’ I was overwhelmed with love and relief… It was the most powerful and emotional moment of my life.”
Why Birth Photography?
“It was my first pregnancy and I wanted to remember every bit of my whole pregnancy and birth.” When she saw her photos for the first time, she said she “fell in love” and talked to hubby, Bryce, about every detail she saw in the photos. Her favorite image? “ALL OF THEM!!!”
And what was it like having me in her birth space?
“She brought the most calming energy into the room. I felt so comfortable knowing I had someone next to me who has experience and knows how to guide someone through L&D.”
💛💛💛
Ready to tell your own birth story? Whether it’s your first or your fifth, at a hospital or at home—I’ll be there with my camera and my calm vibes, and I’ll document the big moments, the in-betweens, and yes, the sequel that is placenta delivery! 😉
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