New Beginnings

 Recently a friend and wedding photographer Glen Green sent me a link to birth photography. I was unaware of this new field and was under the impression that not too many mothers or fathers would want recollections of what is a rather private experience. It was so encouraging to see the beautiful work out there on the internet and in particular the inspiring work of Marysol Blomerus who also happens to be in Cape Town.The majority of the images I viewed were of natural births however there were many photographs of Caesarean sections too.

In my career as an anaesthetist one is involved with many Caesarean sections and these occasions are certainly very emotional times. As a passionate photographer I could not resist photographing these eventful moments putting aside the intrusiveness and the potential abuse of my position. The contrasty and tricky lighting conditions in theatre were also an intriguing technical photographic challenge. Over the years I have managed to capture a number of images and many have appreciated the record of that day.

The delivery of a newborn at Caesarean section is followed shortly by the presentation of the newest family member to the parents which is similar to that uplifting moment when Simba is presented in the Lion King. The presentation is over pretty soon as the paediatrician is eagerly awaiting to examine and tend to the baby if necessary. The time from delivery until the mother meets her new baby is only a few minutes and there is plenty of activity and a huge rush of emotions.

The majority of Caesarean sections are rather straightforward and routine however every now and then something unexpected does happen. This newborn grabbed the surgical retractor on his way out and it had to be pried from his hand!

The next step is the moment baby meets Mom and Dad where words or images cannot always describe the intimacy and intensity of emotions witnessed. Having seen the great work and service offered out there by the birth photographers it is clear that a well timed image can convey to some extent the beauty of that special birthday. 

In the last year I have intentionally been photographing most Caesarean sections I have been involved with and have been experimenting with a few different setups. What caught me pleasantly by surprise was the fact that unbeknown to me birth photography had become a well established genre with an International Association of Professional Birth Photographers too. The saying "bloom where you are planted" or "blom waar jy geplant is" in Afrikaans has become such a life truth of late. In the theatre tearoom there was a quilt made by the different theatre sisters which served as a tablecloth and the one block with the message "blom waar jy geplant is" always stood out. Little did I realise that your passion could be intertwined with your work/career. We are so prone to compartmentalise our lives into rigid boxes however what an amazing time we are living in right now where those walls are coming tumbling down!