columbus, ga birth photographer, ker-fox photography, david from KerFoxBirth on Vimeo.
Giving birth in general is no easy feat. Giving birth unmedicated, during not one but two separate tornados is next level status. We knew bad weather was in the works for our area, unfortunately no one could have prepared our community and surrounding neighbors for what unfolded that day.
Becca was moved to three different locations during the birth of David, all at varying stages of labor. First you will see her laboring her her normal room, then she is moved to an interior hallway alongside the blue draped cart usually wheeled in just before pushing. She, Paul, and her midwife patiently strolled the halls until they were told even that wasn’t safe, and they were then placed into a small triage room. Becca progressed further. The all clear was announced and she was moved back to her labor room. We thought the worst of the bad weather was done for the day. Another hour passed, bringing Becca into transition. My heart dropped when the tornado siren went off, again. How in the world could they move her now, how would this effect her mental state this close to pushing? This time she was was moved to a different triage room, as the other was now occupied. This room, much smaller, would be the room she would welcome her sweet son into just minutes after settling into her new space. The lights flickered, the sound of generators could be heard coming on, portable lights were being brought into the room, cold washcloths and make shift fans helped cool her off without air conditioning. None of that mattered, she was laser focused on her son and her son alone. Even in the midst of organized chaos, everyone and everything worked like a well oiled machine. He was here safely, as was Becca.
As the excitement of the afternoon went from a roar to a whisper, the gravity of what went on outside the walls of the hospital came to light. Our hearts rejoiced at both the beauty of new life, and the grief of lives lost that day.
To the people of Beauregard, Alabama that lost their lives that day, you were in our hearts then, and you remain there today. As do the people of Columbus, Phenix City, Eufaula, Ellerslie and beyond who lost their homes and property.
