The Birth of Wevy // A Story of Strength // Film + Photos
This is Katie and Adam. I think of their family and story almost every single day. I instantly connected to Katie the moment we met in a little local coffee shop. We talked about her hopes and dreams for the birth of her first baby, a son. We cried as we remembered our grandma’s who have passed on, hers whom raised her, and how she was sad that her grandma wouldn’t be able to witness her son’s birth or meet him.
I got a call from Katie while I was at my in-laws house updating me that her contractions were there, but far apart. So I waited for an update and was also in contact with her doula, Bonnie Baker (whom I love). At 7:11pm in March 1, 2020, I got the text to head over. Katie’s midwife, Heather Whitley of Sego Lily Midwife, was already there and Erin Yates (back up doula) was on her way while Bonnie finished up at another birth.
When I walked in, I had a sense of ease and calm. Christmas lights hung on the ceiling around the entire perimeter of their home. Meditation and nature music playing in the background. I still smile thinking about it. Katie and Adam worked like the perfect team they are as we held space and witnessed their laughter and joy to meet their son. Both me and Erin were about half way through our own pregnancies and it offered another layer of empathy and love for this family that were soon going to welcome their baby. After a couple hours, Bonnie made her way to the birth and relieved Erin. This is when contractions started to pick up and get very intense.
Katie’s birth was long and challenging, which Katie and Adam met with acceptance. Adam breathed with her. Pushed with her. And cried with her. They were so bonded…it was like they were made from the same cloth which was so BEAUTIFUL to witness.
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After pushing for a couple of hours, there were signs of meconium. Heather let Katie know that she thought transferring was the best choice. We followed Katie and Adam into their hospital room at Intermountain Medical Center and supported her as much as we could. This was a hard change of plans that wasn’t expected.
The staff at IMC knew the transfer must not have been easy and they showed so much love and respect to Katie and Adam… following her lead, MFM doctors holding Katie’s hand, and even asking Adam if he’d like to glove up and deliver his baby boy, which he enthusiastically accepted. The midwives and MFM team all did their best to make this change less traumatic and closer to the experience that they’d maybe have at home. They gave them control of their birth after feeling like they were losing control.
Baby Wevy was born on the morning of March 2, 2020. He was pale and floppy and needed some assistance. While he was being suctioned, Katie started to hemorrhage, but it was quickly controlled. They also discovered that baby Wevy was born with teeth!
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When Katie finally got to hold her baby for the first time, she just looked at him and sobbed. He was here. After everything they had just gone through to get Baby Wevy earthside, he was finally in her arms for good.
Since their birth, I’ve checked in with them multiple times and we send each other pictures of our babies. I love their family dearly and will never forget their #StoryOfStrength
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