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There are few things in this universe as excruciating and beautiful as the miracle of childbirth. Period. Some overly harsh critics may attempt to correct me by stating that, yes, childbirth is a momentous and rather emotionally charged phenomenon, but it’s hardly aesthetically pleasing to one’s eye. And to these detractors I will say, perhaps you have a point, but ultimately, you are wrong.
Yes, childbirth is messy, chaotic, and hardly a Vogue cover shoot-worthy quest (please don’t quote me on that). Yes, newborns – and I know this is a major faux pas but since I’m on a roll, I might as well! – don’t look anything like what they promise in TV commercials and baby brandpamphlets. They’re shriveled, icky, with swollen eyes and white goo that makes one wonder if they could pass off as White Walker extras on the set of Game of Thrones.
However, my point is, the raw beauty encapsulated by the arrival of a new life in this world can never be understood by our silly notions of superficial beauty. You see, the true beauty of childbirth that possesses the unique ability of stunning and making a grown man cry, doesn’t lie in the shabby, hospital gown ‘couture’ of the father or the sweaty coiffure of the laboring, shrieking mother or even the not-so-distinguishable features of the newborn.
No, the beauty of childbirth lies in the moment. It lies in the almost tangible, palpitating fear, anticipation, and (most importantly) hope that bursts from every atom contained in that moment. It lies in a husband’s agitated but tendersqueeze of a hand and a father’s anxious tapping of the feet. In amother’s blood, sweat, and tears; her agony and her yearning.
It lies in the piercing, sweet cry of the newborn. In the strange hush of silence that follows it, an almost subconscious homage to the miracle of witnessing the arrival of a new soul. And then, finally, it lies in the burst of tears; grateful, relieved and tender, as the new parents fall in love at first sight with the familiar stranger they have spent months fantasizing about – their child.
If only we could capture these sentiments in a frame, right? Well, one woman has! Meet Alyssa Leon, a passionate labor doula from Cherry Blossom Doula Services, who also happens to specialize in the rather difficult art of birth photography. Leon is a very vociferous advocate of ensuring that to-be mommies are aware of all the options they have at birth. Which is why, recently, she has been spreading this awareness through the most stunning and assuredly mind-blowing C-sec photos you will ever see!
Leon has been making these gorgeous clicks from a birth center in Phoenix, Arizona, which happens to give mothers the option of using a transparent plastic drape during the procedure that can allow the mother to see what’s occurring and feel more connected (as opposed to an opaque drape which would block her view of the arrival of her child).
See Leon’s breathtaking C-section photos below!
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
The raw, gritty image of a baby taking his first breath. Well, this one took our breath away as well!
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
In the spotlight: the cutting of the cord. This photo beautifully captures the wondrous, physical link between a woman and her womb-mate – the umbilical cord – being severed by the doctor. An almost metaphorical gesture for the beginning of their new lives as mother and child.
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
Doctors rushing about as they pull a new life to safety. Meanwhile, as the mother gazes with emotion that we can only imagine, her husband’s hand rests upon her head; comforting and strong – her pillar of support.
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
The heartwarming connection between a mother and her child. They only just met, but can’t bear to be separated.
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
This child arrives, arms stretched wide in greeting to the hushed, stunned world.
Credit: Alyssa Leon [Cherry Blossom Doula]
An embrace of wonder and love.
C-sections can be a terrorizing and difficult time for to-be parents. However, these images tenderly capture the sweeter emotions during this process, which beautifully chip away the some of the enigma and misgivings prospective mothers may harbor regarding caesarian births. What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
