Lily Isabelle Barry | Birth Story

Just when I didn’t think I could be any more in love with my husband, or more attracted to him, I watched him become a father. Lily Isabelle Barry was born on July 24th at 3:54 pm, and our world will never be the same again 🙂

Labor and delivery is definitely the most excruciating, miserable, yet amazing thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. We were admitted to the hospital a little after midnight, and I was already 5 cm dilated. I don’t actually know when labor started for me, but it was sometime during the day on Saturday. By the time we left the members party at Evo, my contractions had become more frequent and intense. When we got to the hospital my contractions were 7 minutes apart, and within an hour or two they were coming every two to four minutes! Unfortunately, that’s how it stayed for HOURS. They had to break my water around 8:30 because I wasn’t progressing in dilation. By noon that day, I asked for pain meds in my IV. It wasn’t an epidural, so I still felt everything, and they almost didn’t give them to me because I was at 9cm. But, the dose of meds helped me sleep in between contractions, which I SO needed!

16 hours of labor in the hospital, and 24 minutes of pushing, and our beautiful little girl was born! Steven was the most incredible partner and did such an amazing job supporting me. I cried a lot, I told him I couldn’t do it, I threw up twice (made it through my whole pregnancy without throwing up at all!! guess it was just a matter of time 😉 ), and I kept my eyes closed most of the time and just held his hands. I would not have been able to make it through without him! I’m thankful my sister was there with me for a few hours in the morning so that Steven could get some rest!  The nurses and doctors at Maine Med in the family birthing center were so incredible throughout labor, delivery, and our stay afterward!

I am so incredibly grateful to Jenn for taking photos of Lily’s arrival. I absolutely treasure these photos and can’t stop looking at them! Seeing them still makes me cry a little. We went through so much these past few years and I still can’t believe that we have a DAUGHTER. And she’s all ours, forever.

Things I’ve learned in the past week:

  • Labor wrecks your body in ways I didn’t even know possible.
  • My husband is apparently a secret master of making incredibly delicious sandwiches.
  • We’ve had such an outpouring of love and support from our friends this past week, so I know that having a baby isn’t going to change any of our relationships, which is awesome.
  • I never knew I could be so content just staring at her sweet face for hours and hours.
  • Steven is an amazing father, and I love seeing him so in love with Lily.
  • Keeping her to ourselves and off social media since she was born has been really nice, actually. It won’t be like that forever, obviously, but I won’t get this time back!
  • It’s possible to shower while she’s sleeping.

Well, here’s to the first of what I’m sure will be many posts about our sweet girl!

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comments +

  1. Nicole Moreau says:

    Bre and I are so happy for you! We can’t wait to see all the photos you’re gonna take of her! And we can’t wait for you to photograph our little nuggets birth!

  2. Lynsey Kathryn says:

    Congratulations! I cried reading this. Labor really is exactly how you described it. Really pushes you to a place you have never been mentally and physically.

  3. Hillary Belanger says:

    Linda, I cried while reading this. How beautiful to have photos to remember Lily’s birth! You will both be amazing parents. Congratulations!!!

  4. Spring Smith says:

    My dear girl you made me cry- with your words and these beautiful photos- took me RIGHT back to when Lydia was born not even two years ago…. so so so much love lady!! XOXO

  5. Theresa McLaughlin says:

    Oh I cried to this amazing birth photos of you three together and become a family! Jenn did an awesome job taking those moments. I’m so proud of you both! <3 <3

  6. Michele Ashley says:

    This is incredible! Congrats again!

  7. […] my sweet, intelligent, hilarious, beautiful daughter is THREE years old! I can still remember the day she was born and the labor leading up to it so vividly. I hope that never […]

  8. […] actually think to plan this part through. I hired an INCREDIBLE photographer to document the birth of Lily, but that’s where the planning ended. We didn’t have newborn photos taken, and I totally […]

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You can usually find me adding books to my never-ending “to read” list; challenging myself to do things like not shop for a year; sneaking crispy m+ms from my secret hiding spot so I don’t have to share them with my daughter; and melting over seeing my children smiling at each other.

Oh and I guess I should mention - I’m a seasoned Portland wedding photographer who provides not only kick-ass wedding photos, but also a meaningful and laid-back experience from the time you book to the delivery of your final images. 

I share all things personal, business, tips, and life as a mom and business owner here on the blog!

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i'm a mama of two, a razzleberry peace tea hoarder, and a photographer

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