Ada’s Hospital Birth Story at Kaiser Westside: Hillsboro OR Birth Photographer

Sam and Ben’s due date had moved so many times, I was sure the baby couldn’t even keep up with what was going on. Sam was experiencing gestational diabetes and her blood pressure had been high during her prenatal appointments. When I left to go to Washington for a week for my brother’s wedding I whispered to the universe, “Please – make that baby wait till I get back.” Ironically, no matter what Sam did to naturally induce her own labor, that baby sat tight. My family arrived back in Oregon Sunday afternoon and that night I went to bed early and proceeded to indulge in 12 hours of sleep. Monday morning I got the call that Sam and Ben were heading into the hospital to start induction. And thus starts Ada Kay’s hospital birth story at Kaiser Westside.

Images shared with permission from the family.

Entering labor and delivery at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Looking at the window at the view from the hospital room at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Laboring mom taking a nap at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Induction felt pretty slow, that’s what Sam told me when I arrived. Her water was broken, received an epidural, then went from 3cm to fully dilated in 20 minutes. Even though I was 15 minutes away I still rushed to get there because I was sure Ada would be crowning the instant I pushed open the door. What I found in the room was pretty much the opposite. Sam was all smiles, not the moaning “sing my birth song” transition I was expecting. The room felt like the very definitely of chill, and then she took a nap, because she was comfortable.

Laboring mom and dad holding hands during contractions at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.L+D nurses checks mom and belly during labor at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Stacey the Certified Nurse Midwife checks in with Sam and sees where Ada is hanging out. The room is still so calm – Ben the dad literally says, “This is the most boring day of my life.” 🤣 He has been begging to go grab Chipotle and details how he could have gone and come back several times by now. But nowwwww he knows the second he leaves something new will happen, so he holds tight.

Midwife and nurse check in with a laboring mom at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.The OB on call talks mom through pushing at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

“Sam, are you ready to push?” “Yeah, that’d be great. I’m so ready to meet this baby.” If you knew Sam you’d be just as surprised as I was that she was literally the calmest energy at a birth that I’ve ever experienced. Usually she is sharp tongued, opinionated, and and has no qualms telling it like it is. She coached me in our prenatal consult that her first birth ended up with her yelling at the providers in the room. Her birth plan this time (printed out and displayed in the room) even said “I don’t like people, sorry, there’s no way around it.” Every person who read that thought she was joking because she was so jovial about everything.

Mom smiles big as she feels babies head during birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Reaching down and realizing that HOLY CRAP THERE’S ACTUALLY A BABY THERE is pretty fkn incredible.

Baby has arrived at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon!Mom and dad greet baby post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon!

Happy BIRTH day Ada Kay, and welcome to the roller-coaster of life that starts with 2 people very very very very very happy to meet you 💜

Mom and dad greet baby post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon!Checking out cute baby toes at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon!

Obligatory pruney-fresh-out-of-the-womb feets

Post-birth baby at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon!Peekabo look at mom and baby immediately post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Dad smiles big post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Ben’s excitement for the arrival of his daughter is a 20 across the board.

Mom snuggles her baby immediately post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby opens up eyes to say hello at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

“When I look at you,
I find it hard to believe
that the whole universe had not conspired
to bring you to life.
I cannot think of a more beautiful reason ⁠
for it all to exist
than for you in this day.” -Atticus

Proud mom smiles big immediately post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Sam smiles and the whole room lights up.⁠

Baby rests her fresh fingers on mom's chest at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Dad wipes an emotional tear following the birth of his baby at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Dad looks at his new family emotionally following the birth of his baby at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

#Oxytocin and the #firstlatch, let the happy chemical wash over you like a tidal wave.

Baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Dad watches on during baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Mom smiles up at her partner following labor and birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Mom strokes baby's face during first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Supporting parents watch on during baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Mom, dad's, and baby's hands all entwined during a nursing session at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Hand in my hand and we promised to never let go.⁠

Baby's first latch and nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Fresh vernixy body post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby snuggles up to mom during a nursing session post birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

“You felt familiar the moment I met you. A lovely sort of deja vu.” @beautaplin⁠
It’s the oddest sensation to birth a brand new human and yet feel like they have always been a part of your life. The cosmos arranged this very second for your soul to recognize theirs.

Saying hello to baby Ada post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby nurses assists with weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Teeny fresh baby ear post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby nurses assists with weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Dad and his baby hold hands during weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby nurses does foot prints during weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby nurses does foot prints during weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby nurses does foot prints during weights and measures at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Baby's foot prints at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.Midwife starts the placenta tour at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Time for the placenta tour! Ben comes over intrigued while Sam is being stitched up and Sarah the CNM is more than happy to “show him around”. Did you get to see your baby’s placenta after giving birth? Would you (or did you) have it encapsulated? Share your experiences!

Proud dad holds baby post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

#skintoskin, not just for the birthing parent. Partners, get in there! Did you know that your kangaroo care helps improve a newborn’s quality of sleep? Say no more, whip off that shirt, and take a snoooooozer, you worked hard too.

Proud dad holds baby post-birth at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Welcome to the world baby Ada ♥

Do you live in Oregon and would like to explore the opportunity of having your hospital birth story at Kaiser Westside
documented by Meg Ross Photography, a Portland Birth and Family Photographer?
I am happy to visit all hospitals, birth centers, and family homes to share birth space.
Reach out today and literally freeze your birth story in time.
As a fellow parent I understand how fleeting each milestone and memory can be, especially during labor.

Want to see more birth stories? Follow me this way…
…and then feel free to stalk me on Instagram.

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    a bittersweet farewell…

    It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Meg Ross Photography. After much reflection and consideration following the death of my husband and children's father, I have made the difficult decision to close my business. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes after a great deal of contemplation about healing from grief and how to best show up for my children..

     

    I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for allowing me to be a part of your special moments. It has been an honor and a privilege to capture the beauty and emotion of childbirth for so many families. Your trust and support have meant the world to me, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your lives.

     

    Hugs and oxytocin,
    Meg Ross

    G-5WHHPEXKZR