Kassidy describes her pregnancy as nothing short of amazing. She was one of the fortunate ones that didn’t experience morning sickness! As her body began to show signs of the life growing inside her, Kassidy found joy in every little movement. Each kick was a reminder that her baby boy, Rhysand, was thriving.
Maternity Photos
Kassidy, Justin, and I went to Boulder county to document the Rhys belly! We had a good time playing around and making Kassidy feel like a princess!
Labor Begins
At 40 weeks and 2 days, Kassidy’s labor started in the middle of the night. She wasn’t sure if her water had broken, so she reached out for confirmation. As contractions started to build, Kassidy focused on staying active. She used her yoga ball and hot showers to manage the early discomfort.
Throughout the night and into the next day, Kassidy’s contractions intensified. By the time she reached Seasons Community Birth Center, she was entering the intense transition phase of labor. With hubby by her side offering encouragement and support, Kassidy labored in the birth center’s tub. She was surrounded by the calming ambiance of fairy lights and the soothing scent of essential oils. It was a very magical setting!
The Arrival of Rhysand
As Kassidy settled into what she describes as “labor land,” a meditative state that allowed her to focus on her breathing and the rhythm of her contractions, Rhysand made his way into the world. There was a brief scare when the umbilical cord ruptured during the moment of birth, but the midwives acted quickly and both mom and baby were safe. At 7:05 PM, Rhysand was born, and Kassidy held her son close taking him in.
Meeting Rhysand for the First Time
The first moments with Rhysand were a blur of emotions for Kassidy and Justin. As the midwives completed their checks, Rhysand rested on Kassidy’s chest, and when he finally tilted his head back to meet her eyes, Kassidy felt an overwhelming connection. It was a moment of pure recognition, one that would stay with her forever.
Reflections on the Birth Experience
Looking back on her birth experience, Kassidy feels a deep sense of accomplishment. The support from her husband and the serene environment at Seasons Community Birth Center helped her through the challenges of labor.
“I learned that I CAN do it! I made it through! I honestly had no idea what to expect for labor, so I mostly just kept my mind open to how it could go. I was pleasantly surprised by the labor land state that I entered. I was present but not fully aware of what was going on around me. I just closed my eyes focused on my breathing and the words my husband whispered in my ear.“
-Kassidy
A Name Inspired by Magic
Rhysand’s name carries a special significance for Kassidy and Justin. Inspired by the character Rhysand from the popular book series A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) The name shows their love for the series and gives their son a hint of literary magic.
A Worthwhile Investment
“I chose to have my birth photographed because it was a whole new, very big FIRST! First kid, first pregnancy, first birth! I wanted to commemorate the experience so that I could reflect back on it anytime in the future. I can’t even express how glad I am that we had the photos done, the moments that Kylie captured during my labor were so beautiful and you can really just feel the emotion jumping off the image- it’s amazing! I cried when I saw the slideshow that she put together.”
“Kylie fit right into the room, she had a calming and friendly presence. She popped in with helpful advice at the perfect moments.”
-Kassidy
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