In my nearly four years of being a birth worker, I’ve had some births which sent me racing with adrenaline, wondering if I would make it in time, but none of those babies put me on as wild of a ride as dear Lyra Annick.

Lyra’s mother is my incredible sister-in-law Anna. When Anna asked my nephew Max show me his favorite “picture” via Skype one evening, I freaked out with excitement when he held up his little sister’s ultrasound image. Later, I was invited to be their doula as Anna and her husband Flo welcomed their daughter into the world.

During the pregnancy, Anna, Flo, and Max moved to Florida where Flo had accepted a new job. As relatively new members of the community, their birth support system was to be comprised primarily of me, their doula, and Flo’s mother, who was flying in from France to stay with Max during the birth. A birth date of September 12th was planned as Lyra was to be born via a scheduled cesarean. My husband Jesse (Anna’s big brother) and I booked our flights down for September 11th. As often goes with babies, Lyra had her own plans and triggered labor early the morning before our first flight was to take off…so began one wild day for us all!

I spent my day somewhat frantically attempting to “doula'“ over the phone while navigating airports and hopping planes. In between flights, as I was deboarding one plane, I received a text that gave me hope that I might still arrive in time for my niece’s birth: Anna had chosen to labor for a bit. Skip-running to the rent-a-car, I almost exploded with anticipation when the next text came alerting me that the birth might be imminent. I nearly lost my mind when Jesse chose to engage in laid-back chitchat with our nephew’s babysitter, delaying me a few moments more from leaving for the hospital. I left Jesse and Max and began attempting to navigate the unfamiliar city.

After making it into one of the hospital’s parking garages, I ran to the building where I assumed Anna would be, only to find no one at the check-in desk. After (admittedly frantically) tracking someone down, I discovered that I was in the wrong building. Darting down the street several more blocks, I finally arrived at the correct wing of the hospital. Check-in felt seemed to last for eternity as I awaited directions through the building. Finally, I was allowed into the appropriate ward and into Anna’s room where I found her working hard and still pregnant.

Originally we were told that only Flo could accompany Anna to the operating room for the birth, yet, at the last moment, with great kindness from her care staff, I was allowed to join. Anna was taken to the OR first, while Flo and I suited up. As we sat waiting for a nurse to bring us back for the birth, Flo continued to work hard caring for his wife in the only way that he could in that moment, by advocating for her wishes.

Shortly after 6PM, we entered the OR and in one beautiful, magical moment, Lyra was born. She arrived perfectly pink and with a full head of hair.

Lyra’s photographic birth story begins with the moment her mama heard her first cry…

After Anna, Flo, and Lyra were settled in the recovery unit, I returned to their home to spend the night with their son Max. While Anna and Flo were generous enough to book a lovely Air B&B for us, Max’s grandmother’s flight from France had been cancelled and we were grateful to be able to step in as his care giver.

Jesse, Max, and I spent the following morning (Lyra’s intended birth date!) taking their dog Belle on walks and exploring a local playground. That afternoon, Flo picked up Max to meet his little sister and I accompanied him to document that adorable moment. I can say with no reservation that Max is one incredible big brother. That morning he had serenaded us with songs he make up about his little sister and, after kisses and hugs, he sang those same sweet melodies to her.

Lyra’s decision to kick off labor a day before her planned birth date created the perfect storm of chaos for all involved. Yet, her father remarked to me later that, “I love her for it!” And I do too. I’m looking forward to watching her spunk and spirit evolve as she grows.