Lisa Robinson-Ward is a California-based photographer who specializes in weddings and portraits. When she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant, she knew she wanted to capture her own labour and delivery.

The pregnancy was a special one, as Robinson-Ward and her husband have a 9-year-old son and after experiencing two miscarriages and trying for years to fall pregnant, the decided to stop trying for a baby.

Their miracle daughter Anora is now 6 months old.

Robinson-Ward hoped that photographing during her labour and birth would help her keep calm and focused and take her mind off the pain.

“I didn’t know if I’d be able to take photos or not,” admitted Robinson-Ward. “I had my mind set on doing it, but I wasn’t sure I’d actually be able to pull it off.”

As these images show, she was definitely able to pull it off. The amazing photography and her own words are shared below. It gives a beautiful and intimate glimpse of childbirth.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

1. I had been having contractions on and off for a week, then my water broke at 3 a.m. We grabbed our things, and the camera, and got into the car to go to the hospital — thankfully it wasn’t a long drive. When we got there, I was shaking with every single contraction and at one point I thought to myself, There’s no way I’m going to be able to hold the camera.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

2. In between contractions, I was able to take photos of what I saw around me — the IV, the monitors, stuff like that. But it was intense. 

Image Via Lisa Robinson Photography

3. I got an epidural, and once I did I felt like I had so much more control. I was so lucky. I was in labor for 14 hours, but it didn’t seem like it at all. Time really flew, partly because I had really good pain management…

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

4….and partly because my husband was so supportive.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

5. I asked my doctor early on, “Do you have a problem with me photographing my birth?” He was all for it. But when he came into the room and saw that I had a camera right in my face, I think he was kind of amazed [laughs].

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

6. I took pictures while I pushed! When I was ready to push, I’d bring my hands and the camera up to my face. I didn’t know what I was getting at the time, and I didn’t know if anything was going to be in focus. But it helped me focus.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

7. Part of me worried that if I was taking photos, I was not going to really be there. But I was totally there. I was so present when she was coming out of me.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

8. When I look back at these photos, I can remember exactly how I felt. I can relive the moment my daughter was born.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

9. I loved seeing my husband’s face the moment he saw our daughter for the first time. He was crying. He was just so happy.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

10. I know that I’m lucky. I had a really easy labor and delivery

Image via Lisa Robison Photography

11. Our daughter is really easy going. She’s mellow. She sleeps! She’s a happy baby.

Image via Lisa Robinson Photography

12. We had immediate skin-to-skin, and I breastfed her right away. 

Image Via Lisa Robinson Photography

13. My mother took this one. I gave her the camera right after Anora was delivered and she started snapping away!

Thank you Lisa for sharing your beautiful pictures and birth story.