Northside Birth Photographer | Baby Oliver’s Story

Northside Hospital Birth Photography | Atlanta, Georgia

“Giving birth to this little soul was BY FAR the greatest moment of my life.”

Each birth story is unique, but this family’s journey was 1 in 3300. I had the pleasure of meeting this mama very early in her pregnancy last spring when we instantly connected and joyfully celebrated the life growing within her. Little did we know how things would unfold over the next few months or how much of a positive impact that little life would have on so many people; even before he took his first breath.

At his 20 week ultrasound, their sweet baby was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). TGA is a congenital heart defect that, according to the CDC, affects just 1250 US babies each year. Considering there are slightly less than 4 million babies born in the US each year, this sweet baby is one special little guy.

It’s a condition where baby’s pulmonary artery and aorta are transposed (or switched), sending oxygen poor blood into the body and oxygen rich blood to the lungs.

Babies born with TGA require oxygen at birth and open heart surgery within the first few days of life to restore proper function of the heart.

The beautiful thing is that, with treatment, babies born with TGA usually grow up to lead healthy, normal lives. (You can learn more about TGA here and here.)

With so many unknowns, his parents questioned whether to continue with the plans for birth photography. However, after encouragement from baby Oliver’s grandmother and some exceptionally supportive providers, they decided baby Oliver’s story is one that should be told, and I’m immeasurably humbled to have been trusted to document this incredible and inspiring birth story.

After the most beautiful and joyful delivery, Oliver received oxygen and some necessary TLC from Northside Hospital’s NICU team. A few days later he had open heart surgery with the incredible Sibley Heart Center team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and came through like a champ.

His family’s faith and strength through it all was incredible. At every point in their journey they were reassured by the peace of God’s plan and made no room for doubt. Even with an experience that presented unique challenges and variables, the memories from that day are joyous ones, and I think Oliver’s Mama says it best:

“I’m so grateful we have these memories captured because the smiles are real and what we want to remember after all of this is the pure joy (we) experienced bringing this little man into the world.”

Welcome to the world sweet baby; you are so loved.

Click here to see more from baby Oliver’s Fresh 48 NICU session at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta!

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If you live in the Metro Atlanta area and are interested in having your labor and delivery documented, I’d love to hear from you! Contact me here to schedule a birth photography consultation and reserve your due date; I’d be honored to be your birth photographer.

For more information about birth photography, be sure to check out some of my Atlanta Birth Photography FAQs here!