The Birth Story of Zuri | St. Augustine Birth Photographer

I was so happy to document this unbelievably emotional and beautiful home birth story. Tiffany and Bailey welcomed their sweet baby girl on an October morning a little while after the sun had come up.

I first met Tiffany while photographing another birth with Jacksonville Community Midwives last year. Tiffany is a student midwife and was assisting at that birth. Photographing the birth stories of fellow birth workers is such a joy to me!

Tiffany’s water broke at 2 am and things intensified from there. She labored beautifully and with so much strength. This labor was different from her prior three, and more difficult for her. Her wife, Bailey, and her two daughters tended to her the entire morning by holding her hands, pouring water on her back, and placing cool cloths on her neck. Tiffany’s mother was also there to encourage her and watch over the household as she labored. The family’s dogs were a sweet presence throughout the morning, too. They would walk over to the tub, offer some comfort, and then settle down nearby. Midwives Jacinda and Christy from Jacksonville Community Midwives were also right by her side, helping to reassure her and do some rebozo work with her when it got particularly tough.

After some fierce contractions and intense pushing, while in Bailey’s arms, Tiffany gave birth to their precious daughter, Zuri. It was an incredible moment. Zuri had been asynclitic with the cord wrapped around her neck a couple of times. She needed a little assistance immediately after birth, but we all sighed and teared up as she let out her first cry.

The moments after Zuri was born were particularly powerful as well. While waiting for the placenta to be delivered, Tiffany and Bailey relaxed in the tub, while the girls and dogs all visited to take a look at the baby. Each person in the family was instantly in love. The next couple of hours that followed were filled with such warmth and sweetness as each person took turns holding the baby and gazing at her.