It began in the afternoon on February 11. I received a Facebook message from Mikey that Felicia was in early labor, a bit ahead of schedule. Could I make it there? Felicia intended to labor at home as long as possible, so I was to meet them at their house in Fort Oglethorpe. I'd sure give it a shot. I couldn't imagine missing this opportunity.
A "snow day" had been declared by Hamilton County schools, but in Hixson, not so much as an errant flake had graced the ground. My kiddos, previously in a state of malaise from lack of entertainment, peeled themselves away from Netflix with glee, piled into the van, and the four of us headed to Georgia. As we drove, we watched the landscape gradually transform from dull brown to pure white in a matter of miles. The snow had apparently missed Tennessee by a hair's breadth. By the time we arrived in the driveway at the Henry-Berry house in Fort O, there was six inches of snow blanketing everything. How magical! Of course, my children were beside themselves! In we trooped, and I prayed I had not missed anything. It had been a long drive, after all. As it turned out, my timing was perfect.
I feel compelled to mention that this was Felicia's fifth pregnancy. By now, this household functioned like a well-oiled machine when it came to babies. When I walked in, the other four kiddos sat in the living room, the older three casually entertaining the youngest Berry child as though Mom were merely making soup in the kitchen.
Someone suggested they bundle up and have a romp in the snow. I handed off my own brood, knowing they were in capable hands.
The relaxed atmosphere was reassuring, and it trickled back to the bedroom where Felicia was laboring. She and Mikey had things well under control, checking off supplies, making sure bags were stocked, and pausing now and then to breathe thru a contraction.
Photographing Felicia's transition from early to active labor was to capture what might best be described as a seasoned professional in her natural element. I tried to remain as unobtrusive as possible. The pain increased, became steady, and tension levels finally became palpable. It happened quickly! Felicia's mom and a close friend stood by, encouraging her along with Mikey. After some time, though, the worry began to show on their faces.
Before we knew it, Felicia felt the urge to push!! Suddenly, it was all hands on deck, emergency-mode. Had we waited too long to get her to a hospital? We dialed 911 and an ambulance arrived. It would be cutting things awfully close, the medics decided, but they would attempt to get her to Park Ridge East. A 30-minute drive.
They made it in 10.
Felicia's friend and I followed behind the ambulance and we arrived and L&D moments after they did. As the medical team rushed to hook Felicia up to monitors in triage, I paced like a nervous Papa Bear. Finally, I was given the green light to step into the delivery room.
What followed was nothing short of miraculous. The baby was crowning. I whipped my camera out of the bag, yanked off the lens cap, and switched the power on. When I raised the camera to my eye, I saw this:
Holy moly! There she was! The doctor barely had time to catch her.
The sweet sound of new life filled the room. Daddy was handed scissors to cut the cord.
And she was theirs.
But really...
They were hers.
