Welcoming Baby Sloane: A Surprise Gender Birth Story | Longmont CO Birth Photographer


mom holding brand new baby covered in vernix after giving birth at Longs Peak hospital in Colorado

A Surprising Third Pregnancy

Heather and Jon had planned for a third child, but the news of Heather’s pregnancy still came as a shock! Heather didn’t expect a positive pregnancy test, but after an unusual number of bathroom trips, she took one anyway. To her amazement, the result was positive within seconds! Heather shared the news with hubby in a Valentine’s Day card, subtly adding “Baby” among the names of their boys and pets. It took Jon a moment to catch on, but when he realized he was happy!

As their due date approached, the anticipation of their surprise gender birth story added a layer of excitement! Heather packed her hospital bag with essentials, including both a pink and a blue outfit. Whether they were welcoming a third boy or a first girl was a mystery that would only be solved at the moment of birth! (My money was on girl the whole time!)

Maternity Photos

Heather and Jon asked me to take belly photos with the whole family up in Nederland. We all drove up together and it was a lot of fun! Their boys still ask for me to this day, which makes my heart so happy!

Heather also volunteered to model for me for some in-home belly photos, which turned out AMAZING!

A Swift Labor and a Beautiful Surprise

On October 18th, Heather visited her OB for a routine check-up at 39 weeks and 3 days. Although she had been convinced that her baby would arrive on October 15th, her little one had other plans. At the appointment, Dr. Finnegan suggested scheduling a check-up for the following week, but Heather followed her gut and requested a cervical check just to see where things stood. Turns out she was already 4.5 cm dilated, and the doctor predicted she would go into labor within 24 hours!

Contractions began during the drive home, intensifying with each bump in the road. Heather knew that her baby was on the way and quickly made arrangements for her sons to stay with friends. Despite how fast labor progressed, Heather remained calm and focused.

From the moment she realized labor had begun to holding her baby in her arms was only 3.5 hours! The contractions were intense and close together, far different from her previous experiences. By the time Heather arrived at the hospital, she was already 7 cm dilated, and there was no time to move from the bed once she got there!

With Jon by her side, bringing humor and love into the room, Heather delivered her baby with just a few pushes. But it wasn’t until the baby was placed on her chest, covered in vernix, that they finally learned they had their first daughter!!

Dad supporting laboring mom by rubbing her her feet at Longs Peak Hospital
Dad being silly wearing a paper crown while rubbing laboring mom's feet in Longmont Colorado
Dad caressing laboring moms head and hair in support while mom squeezes dad's hand through a contraction.
Mom roaring as baby emerges and is birthed. Dad holding mom's leg, doctor catching baby at Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont Colorado
Mom holding her just born baby against her chest for the first time with a look of I did it on her face and a smile. Longs Peak Hospital Firestone Colorado
Photo of a surprise gender birth story in Longmont Colorado. Mom and dad lift blanket to reveal they just birthed their first daughter
Photo of a surprise gender birth story in Longmont Colorado. Mom and dad lift blanket to reveal it's a girl!
Mom smiling and holding just born baby girl for the first time. Photo of a surprise gender birth story in Longmont Colorado
Mom cutting baby's umbilical cord while baby is on her chest at Longs Peak Hospital birth story.
Mom and dad admiring their just birthed baby girl in longmont colorado. Surprise gender birth story.

Why Birth Photography Was Essential

“I went through two deliveries and don’t even have all the memories to look back on. This being our final baby, I wanted to have a way to really look back on such a special day of my life. At first Jon was skeptical, but I am SO GLAD he agreed. Not only did Kylie take the most amazing pictures, capturing the feelings, the pain, the strength and love in the room.. she also knew what I wanted both for my labor/delivery and the pictures, and made it happen! With how quick things were going, she reminded me of things I had previously mentioned so that I could tell the Dr & nurses. The calm that she brings into the room is wonderful.”

“When the photos were sent to me, reliving that day.. it was magic. I knew immediately that we had made the best decision not only having Sloane’s birth photographed.. but having Kylie doing the photography. Even the most raw moments were captured so beautifully. The energy she brought was outstanding. Calming, encouraging, motivating, and excitement.. but also knowing WHERE to be, so we still had our little bubble. We will be able to look back on that day forever and relive it, sharing those moments with Sloane and the boys when they are ready.”

-Heather

Want to see more birth photos!? Head over to my website!

  1. Hoggan Jon says:

    Wow, what a nice presentation!
    Well done all. Great ‘modeling’ and outstanding photography. What a treasure.

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