If you can make somebody happy, do it. The world needs more of that.

Perfectly said. Talk about the most selfless gift a woman could ever give. Emily and Gwen are both sonographers in a local doctors office together. After being friends for years, Emily  stepped up became the gestational carrier for Joe and Gwen, also known as the Intended Parents (IP). Baby Paxton was a  frozen embryo from September 2014.

**A surrogacy arrangement or surrogacy agreement is the carrying of a pregnancy or intended parents. There are two main types of surrogacy, gestational surrogacy (also known as host or full surrogacy)  and traditional surrogacy (also known as partial, genetic, or straight surrogacy). In gestational surrogacy, the pregnancy results from the transfer of an embryo created by In Vetro Fertilization  (IVF), in a manner so the resulting child is genetically unrelated to the surrogate. Gestational surrogates are also referred to as gestational carriers. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is impregnated naturally or artificially, but the resulting child is genetically related to the surrogate. In the United States, gestational surrogacy is more common than traditional surrogacy.**

These two sonographers were some how able to keep from cheating, and kept the gender a surprise! I have no idea how they did it

Dr. Costa was phenomenal, she had Gwen help deliver her baby, cut the cord, do skin-to-skin, and had her completely involved in her baby’s delivery. Momma announced to everyone, “it’s a BOY!” Tears were flowing, the room was full of love, smiles and laughter. Not a dry eye in the room. Not one face without a huge smile. I have never been in such a heartwarming delivery!

Here is a glimpse into baby Paxtons journey into our world!

It’s a…..

BOY!!!!

Then she sends me this…

I was beyond happy for her. They SO deserved this. I prayed and hoped for a beautifully healthy pregnancy for her, and then I prayed I would make it down to Tennessee for her birth. I was SO nervous.  I didn’t want to miss this. I wanted so bad to be there for her. She planned an all natural birth and to labor at home for as long as possible. Did I mention how nervous I was that I would miss this? Ah. Nerve wracking!

The last week in July came around… I was leaving for vacation August 1st so we both began to panic lol.  A few days later, Hayley text me and says she thinks its the beginning signs of labor. After a few hours and timing contractions, she was pretty confident this was it. I left Columbus Ohio and headed to her. its a 6 hour drive so I was hoping we timed this right. Hayley lives almost an hour away from the hospital so we met each other there when she decided it was time to head there. Talk about perfect timing…

 She labored beautifully. In fact, it was the most gorgeous labor I have ever seen. Honestly. I left this birth feeling so full

Doula Heidi – Expecting New Life Birth Services

Hayley Stell Photography

I can’t thank you enough Hayley and Matt for trusting me with Lennons Birth Day. I am so proud of both of you, congrats on your gorgeous family.

<3

To watch Avery’s birth story… go HERE

xoxo

That’s all for now <3

]]> https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?feed=rss2&p=2526 0 https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2626 https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2626#respond Sun, 08 Jun 2014 03:20:53 +0000 http://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2626 Have you heard of it? If you haven’t. Go… Go and look it up. Read all about it. It’s incredible. I leave the hospital each time with a little part of me left behind. And a new piece of me has been found. Each time. I  can’t wait to talk more about this. Raise more awareness and break the silence. <3

Loved witnessing the pure happiness Baby Elizabeth brought to this family <3

Watch her birth here:

https://vimeo.com/89233506

]]> https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?feed=rss2&p=2247 0 https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2167 https://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2167#respond Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:25:44 +0000 http://blog.sarahshambaughphoto.com/?p=2167 I say it allllll the time. But I am so far behind with blogging. I promised myself I would blog again in 2014. Uh, yea, that has yet to happen…  But I am going to start off with two sweet baby boys that were born Thanksgiving morning. EARLY Thanksgiving morning. They were born at Grant Medical Center. Which was pretty strict with their policy for me to photograph in the OR and for me to actually see the boys and their momma after delivery. So after a long night at the hospital I told Mom and Dad I would come back up the following day to get a few “lifestyle” shots of the family all together. Unfortunately Momma had some major complications after birth, so our session was delayed a few days. THANKFULLY she is well and doing ok! 6 days post baby, I was finally able to see them all together and get a few photographs in before they were discharged. and I have to say, I LOVE them <3

Born May 19th 12:48am

First and foremost I want to say a huge huge THANK YOU to Jehan of Jehan Inc. photos. Seriously. I owe her my life and then some!

Baby McMahon was due to arrive May 18th. Scheduled induction at Mount Carmel West. One slight curve ball in my baby  plan. I had a wedding. And all of typical backup photographers were all at weddings. I KNEW this would happen at some point! And I KNEW it would all work out as well! I began my search for another back up photographer in case I couldn’t make it. I knew Rhonda aka Momma-to-be PROBABLY wouldn’t go too fast since this was her first baby and she was being induced. So I still had high hopes of making it in time.  Another fellow photographer friend Ashley, referred me to Jehan. THANKFULLY! I love other photographers that are willing to lend a hand when someone is in need. It makes our lives so much easier knowing we can all have each others back, SO Thank you Jehan for stepping up to plate and doing an AWESOME job. So with that being said… I have to give credit where credit is due. You did a  great job girl!

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