Leilani Rogers is a birth photographer who loves what she does – and she has been kind enough to share some of her favorite images with us.
1/17En Caul – Capturing a baby born entirely in the amniotic sac (“en caul”) was probably the most defining moment for me as a birth photographer. It cemented my love for this niche, promising me that I would see many more amazing moments like this. I cannot imagine, if it were my birth, not having an image of that moment to remember it by.
2/172 Mama family – It’s an honor to celebrate families of all kinds. This 2 mama family’s birth was so beautiful. And it was so fortunate that this mother’s partner is an experienced doula because she was in labor for 35 hours!
3/17 Daughter supporting mother in childbirth – This was a beautiful birth filled with questions and love and wonder. The pictures capture all that and more. My client’s 7-year-old daughter is providing pressure on her mother’s lower back. She so calmly and sweetly came into the room where her mother was birthing and genuinely wanted to help. Later her mother told me how comforting it was to have her there, and how much she admired the nurturing nature her daughter possessed.”
4/17 My 1st c-section – I’ve had many clients end up with c-sections and have not been allowed to accompany them back to the OR. So this moment is one I had waited a long time for! It was a ‘pinch me’ kind of experience even as I was documenting it. I am often asked if seeing the surgical side of birth bothers me. It truly does not. I find those moments of delivery to be every bit as beautiful and fascinating as a vaginal birth.
5/17 Polydactyl – This is a rare occurrence – a baby born with 6 fingers! Definitely a surprise to Mama and the birth team, but a special one. There was no bone in the finger, but it had a nail! It was intriguing, to say the least.
6/17 Water births – I often lose my breath as I document mothers reaching for their babies and bringing them to their chests. And each time I come back to those images, I lose my breath all over again. The joy, relief, and exhaustion are just so palpable.
7/17 Water births – I often lose my breath as I document mothers reaching for their babies and bringing them to their chests. And each time I come back to those images, I lose my breath all over again. The joy, relief, and exhaustion are just so palpable.
8/17Cord – What a privilege it is to get up close to placentas and umbilical cords. They are fascinating and serve a fantastic purpose.
9/17 Fresh born baby – This image means so much to me. This is my niece. Her birth was so tranquil. And this was such a heavenly moment. She came quietly and peacefully into this world and took her time opening her big beautiful eyes to take in her new surroundings.
10/17Hands and knees – I love images that show that a woman can birth in many different positions. They should not be limited to their backs. That defies gravity, does it not? Case in point, many times a change in position will facilitate stalled labor.
11/17Floral bath – Herbal baths are my absolute favorite to capture. Not many mothers know about them. Herbal baths are done anywhere from a few hours postpartum to a day or 2 later, and aid in healing the perineum. They also smell divine (herbs like chamomile and lavender are used) and promote bonding between mother and baby. Furthermore, babies enjoy returning to a familiar environment.
12/17 Hospital birth – I photograph a lot of births at home and in birth centers. Some might say they are more photo-worthy. I’m afraid I have to disagree. This moment, for instance, is mesmerizing. Baby is passing between the womb and her mother. I love the way Mom is reaching for her child, eagerly awaiting her placement in her arms.
13/17 Bathtub birth – I see a lot of waterbirths. But birth tubs take some time to blow up, and fill. Every now and then, birth happens so quickly there is no time to go through that process! In this case, mama knew she needed water, so she gave birth in her bathtub. And I photographed it from inside the shower stall, looking through the glass!
14/17Father praying – This image has gone viral on Pinterest, and I think it’s because dads are so rarely captured as part of the process. Here a husband is sweetly praying for his wife during her labor.
15/17The Amazing Placenta – I included this because most moms have no idea what one looks like. That baffles me! We should take an interest in these things because this amazing organ delivers nutrients, eliminates waste, fights against internal infection, and produces enough hormones to support an entire pregnancy. WOW!
16/17 First latch – Breastfeeding support has a special place in my heart. That is why I founded The Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project (which as you know Caroline has been featured a couple of times on Huff Post). Breastfeeding success starts here though. At birth. So moms just don’t get the patient instruction they need in order to be successful at breastfeeding. Plus I just love the juxtaposition of this experienced midwife’s hands against this young mother and newborn babe’s skin.
17/17 Peace – Another beautiful hospital moment. It wasn’t until after I got home and began editing images that I noticed this little one’s signal that she felt at peace.