Matthew

Juan Carlos Brettshneider did a series on the birth of his second child a

few years ago. The images were a bit unsettling, and he warned the

viewer ahead of time. I didn't truly appreciate what he was trying to say

until I witnessed the birth of Matthew. Even ten days later, I still

remember how harrowing an experience it was. First, Oge had a

nagging cold and congestion that would not go away, and she had to

have an oxygen mask to get enough air. Then, there was concern that

the baby had not moved much most of the day. At first, it was believed

that this was because she did not have anything to eat all day since

she started getting contactions that morning, but after she was given

intravenous sugar and the baby still was not moving much, we all

suspected something was wrong. This suspicion turned to concern after

she pushed forsomething like an eternity and the baby did not seem to

budge. It was at that point that she looked helplessly at us and asked in

a scaringly resigned voice, "is there anything you can do to help me?".

We all returned her look of helplessness, and the young nurse, who was

in her first day on the job and her second delivery, tried in her best voice

to tell her to keep pushing, but none of us had any real convictions in

our voice. The doctor left, presumably to see if there could be a surgical

room set up for a c-section. What happened next is beyond my powers

of comprehension, for a spirit overtook my wife, and energy none of us

had any right to believe was there seemed to coarse through her body

and she resumed her pushing with a vigor that was almost stunning in

its unexpected fury. Within a few minutes of exhortations, Matthew's

head appeared, and with it the resolution of the mystery that5 had

flummoxed us all: the umblical cord was wrapped around his neck! The

doctor told my wife to stop until the cord was cut, after which fell out the

biggest baby I have ever seen, all 9.5 pounds of him. I took this picture

literally within two minutes of his birth, and he looked as tired as the

rest of us, and happy to be alive.

Now, 10 days later, all he does is eat, sleep, eat, cry, eat, did I mention

eat?

Congratulations to you, Oge, and Gabriel.  Both the happiness and the work multiplies.  Some days one kid feels like two and two feels like five.  What a great capture!  So much is expressed.  I'm happy to hear that mother and baby are doing well, despite the ordeal.  Happy holidays, happy birthday (right around the corner, right?), and happy parenting.

Any man who gets to witness the birth of his child is a changed man forever.  My own chance was 43 years ago (and they did not allow cameras) but I can see it in my mind as though fully captured in the film of the time.  As they cut the umbilical cord and he let out his first loud cry, I realized that I would step in front of a freight train to save that little guy from harm.

Congratulations on capturing one of those really high moments in your own life. You will treasure both the photograph and your memories forever.

Regards,

Jerry Matchett

Congratulation! :)

I wish him the best in life and to you and your wife all kind of joy with him :)!

Amazing photo!

Hugs to his mama! :)

A beautiful ending, and a new beginning for you, Oge, and Gabriel.

Thank You for sharing this special event with us.

 

Sincerely,

Dave Barstow

I wish you and your wife to grow up healthy and happy baby!

Thanks for all the good wishes, all.

Jeff: I posted this picture in response to your concern on the other one. Jerry, Dave, Tatya, and Sveta, thank you all.

Congratulations, my friend, beautiful Matthew.

All my best.

What a wonderful experience in many aspects, you saw the miracle of life at its best and it will prepare you for  many incledible moments in your life with him!!!  I have two daugthers and did not see thir birth both c-centions, but I saw the third of my grands, the one and only Alexa and in a similar way my daugther push with and increidible force and Alexa apeared!   Congratulations!!!  Warm regards my friend.

A very impressive shot and story!

Congratulations, Emmanuel! 

With best regards,

Ruud.

What a picture! What a story! What a giant baby! I'm sure this is the first in a long, long series of pictures. My best to Oge and congratulations to you both.

Wow! Congratulations to you and your family. Since I have been the one doing the pushing, I haven't had the privilege of watching my children being born, but my husband still pales when he remembers the experience. I am glad everything turned out alright, and hope that Oge is feeling better. I am looking forward to seeing more of your family story. 

Congratulations, Emmanuel, and to your wife and two beautiful boys as well. Wishing you all the very best! A beautiful and moving capture of little Matthew -- I love the way he seems to be peeking (and so intensely already) at you, his dad :-)

Great relief for all of you :)

My best wishes to all the family...

And, thanks for sharing such a precious image with us here.

Emmanuel,  CONGRATULATION to you & your family, and nice low-key for lovely piece!    Best regards

Impressive shot ! Best regards.

Enhorabuena.

Realmente maravilloso, me alegro muchísimo que todo acabara con esta deliciosa imagen.

Saludos.

A fine image but your story gives it even greater depth. Thanks for sharing! Best of luck for all of you.

Wow, congratulations!  Witnessing childbirth is quite amazing; I had four sons, all natural with no drugs and it was something I will never forget.  My youngest "baby" is 24 years old and I have grandkids now. 

I'm so happy it all turned out well for you and your family.  I do volunteer work for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and unfortunately am there when  it doesn't work out.  Take lots of pictures - they grow too quickly!  :)

Una mirada que vale más que mil palabras. Perfectos tonos. Saludos

OMG! I've been out of the loop for a while preparing for and having knee surgery, now to discover I missed the new addition to your family!!! Congrats! Ya'll sure do make beautiful babies! I see you are already on your way to a portfolio of fantastic shots of Matthew!