A Family Surprise; Welcoming Twins! Birth Story

I first met Aracely and Adam last year during a devastating time. I had been at the hospital photographing the birth of a baby born with his angel wings when the nurse quietly asked me to step into the hall. She informed me that there was another family who had just welcomed their sweet baby girl with her angel wings as well and wondered if I could stay to photograph her for the parents. I said of course I would. I was told this beautiful couple had been expecting triplets, she was almost 19 weeks along and had delivered one of the triplets a month prior, now the 2nd baby this evening. I photographed this beautiful baby and her wonderfully sweet parents. I returned 2 days later to give them their images to be told she had been discharged. I was devastated. I instantly knew this meant she had delivered the 3rd baby sometime since I had been there. I immediately emailed them with my deepest sympathies. I offered to them, that should they ever be expecting again, that I would love to give them a gift of a newborn session.
I was ecstatic to receive an email a few months ago that they were indeed expecting again! They initially would not accept my gift, but I was, shall we say, a bit more forceful that I would not accept anything from them for that session.
We compromised when we determined they wanted to have their birth photographed too.
I met with this beautiful mama to go over the birth details and contract- they weren’t going to find out the sex of the baby and there was a secret twist that no one knew.
Fast forward to the day of the birth. I was working a half day at my Vet Clinic. At the end of my shift I noticed they had emailed me multiple times that day. Her water had broken at home that morning and contractions were strong. Their last email, sent just 45 minutes prior, said they were 6cm along and just waiting. I flew home. Grabbed my gear, changed and headed to the hospital. Luckily, I have such a great support system that I could arrange last minute child care! I prayed the whole way to the hospital that I didn’t miss it! I rushed in the room to see them both smiling and no baby! PHEW! They both were a bit worried as this was earlier than they wished as mom was 33 weeks along. I was full of adrenaline and excitement and said “Oh my! It’s going to be great!!” She was also 9.5cm when I arrived! Within 10 minutes they were wheeling her down to the OR room to deliver.
Excitement was mounting!
The OR room was busy and bright and everyone was smiling.
Within minutes Baby S came rocking into the world with beautiful cheeks and tiny squeaks! I had only a minute and a half before Baby O made her way, fully breach; feet first! (This was my first time photographing the actual birth of twins born vaginally and also my first time witnessing a breach birth!).
She was much smaller than her sister, but they’re always the fighters!
So THAT was the mom & dad’s surprise
(PS: I, along with their medical team were the ONLY PEOPLE to know they were having TWINS!)
Both babies were brought to the NICU and the parents and myself went back to her room and waited.
I cannot imagine how the parents were feeling, considering how I was feeling just waiting and they aren’t even my babies!
Finally Dad was able to go to the NICU, then myself. I began photographing Dad’s first interactions with his daughters. Shortly after, mom was brought in to meet the 2 beauties she had lovingly and selflessly been so careful to bring into this world.
Here’s where the emotions got even higher. NO ONE in their families knew it was twins. NO. ONE. I knew I HAD to be there when they told them. I rushed home to edit 2 photos, one of each girl, and put them in frames. I went back to the hospital and handed dad one of the frames in the hall. The family was all there and VERY EAGER to find out, boy or girl???? The big reveal that it was a GIRL, Miss S, had everyone excited and laughing and happy. Then I said “I have another photo of the baby, would anyone like to see it?” I handed the frame to dad again, where he introduced Miss O. There is NO WAY you could look at these images and not get tingly goosebumps.
The reaction of the family was incredible.
This will be a hard feeling to top, this incredibly high of happiness.
Try not to tear up…I dare you.