PHILADELPHIA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – RUSTIN MICHAEL

Wow!  It’s been a little over 13 months since I last blogged.  So many things have happened since my last post.  In November 2013 we moved from Los Angeles to the Northern Philadelphia suburbs for better career opportunities for Victoria.  Before we got settled into our new home in Lansdale, PA we had a period where we were living at 4 addresses within a 10 week period.  That was quite a challenge especially with a 5 year, 3 year, and 10 month old.  Of course as soon as we settled on our new (to us) 3 bedroom home we found out we were very unexpectedly expecting baby #4!!  This was quite a surprise!!

Judah Justice Cerveny was born at home, as planned like his older brother and sisters, a little before 5pm on Wednesday October 15th, 2014.  He was a big guy, weighing 9lbs 3oz and was 20.75 inches long.

Victoria was a few days late with Gideon, Esther, & Tabitha, although her body had always threatened to kick them out earlier.  Again, with this pregnancy we thought Judah might come sooner than he did, but he kept us waiting.  Once Victoria reached 41 weeks, the midwife, Kathy Hindle of Midwifery Traditions, called to see what we could do to get this baby out.  Victoria was offered the opportunity to go in for a non-stress test and also try acupuncture to induce labor.  Victoria chose acupuncture which turned out to be quite miserable for her and didn’t have any affect on helping the baby come.

Two days later we went to Victoria’s regularly scheduled midwife appointment.  The midwife examined Victoria and told us never in her 37 years of practice has she seen someone 8cm dilated and not in labor!! We made a plan for the midwives to come and break Victoria’s water once the kids were in bed that evening knowing that once her water broke Judah would arrive pretty quickly.  Shortly after getting home, however, Victoria started labor.  We called the midwives and told them they would have to come over earlier than planned.  They told us to get the birth pool ready.

Upon inflating and filling the pool, the tiny leak which we thought was patched, started hissing.  I had to reinflate the pool every 15 minutes throughout labor to keep the pool walls from sagging.  I spent the whole afternoon imagining the pool bursting and 100+ gallons of water pouring all over our bedroom and down to the floor below causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.  This leak caused Judah’s labor and delivery to be the most stressful for me out of all our children.  The worst thing is once Victoria got in the pool her labor slowed down and after an hour or so she got out, and never got back in.  Once she got out of the pool her labor picked back up and Judah was born “on land” shortly after her water broke.

Once again, I am so proud of Victoria and how she gave birth completely drug free and naturally! We are very thankful to have had all of our children born at home, where Victoria has the freedom to labor and deliver in the places and positions in which she is most comfortable. Judah means “praise” and we praise God for the four precious blessings He’s given us in our children!

Here are some photos I grabbed with my Canon 5D3 and Sony a6000.

Esther looks on as Victoria gets IV antibiotics for GBS+

The midwife listens in on Judah’s heartbeat

Trying to relax in the birth pool

The pool is nice in between contractions!

Working hard

Mama and baby take their first look at each other

Welcome earth side, baby Judah!

The kids were eager to ensure it was really a brother!

Sweet Judah

The midwife gives a “tour” of the placenta

How much does he weigh?

Judah’s a big boy!

Home birthing is a family affair

Esther is in love with her baby brother

Gideon thinks he’s pretty cool too

Wegman’s ultimate chocolate cake for Judah’s birthday

Our crazy kids!