It was a few weeks before little Lyla was due to arrive when I got a text from Lily letting me know that her contractions had started and they were getting stronger and closer together. They were on their way to the hospital and I was perusing the aisles of Lowes picking up some supplies for the studio. Knowing that the process of admittance and labor progression would be a lengthy one, I assumed I would have plenty of time to finishing my shopping, head home for some lunch and then get an update in an hour or so. Not even twenty minutes after that first text, I get another, “…she’s breech, heading in for a c-section within the hour…” I left my cart in the middle of the store, and b-lined home to grab my camera, and turn around for the hospital (luckily it’s only 8 minutes away from my home).

When I arrived at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Lily’s contractions were powerful and she was being prepared by doctors and nurses to meet her baby girl. The room was calm but anxious. Ryan was there, right by her side, lending his gentle support, and her mom reassuring her that everything was going to be alright.

I gave Ryan a camera (and a crash course on using it) before they wheeled her back to the O.R., and I waited patiently in recovery to photograph the very first moments when they would meet their little girl. Everything went perfectly during the delivery, Lyla and Ryan came in first to check vitals and measurements and Lily came soon after, eager to finally hold her baby.

The entire day, even though it wasn’t the delivery they had anticipated, was perfect. They were surrounded by family and friends on the most amazing day and their little Lyla was finally here and perfectly perfect.

Here’s just a little of the story of the day she was born.

Ryan captured these two sweet images inside the O.R. as soon as little Lyla was delivered.

As they moved over from the c-section recovery room to the L&D recovery room they had to pass by the waiting room where all of their friends and family were eagerly waiting to catch that first glimpse of sweet little Lyla. No one knew they were coming so their expressions of surprise and pure delight were so genuine and perfect.

And back to spend a few minutes as a new family of three in their own little room.

birth photographers nwa