Mama # 4 Briana texted me at 5:15 pm on Saturday, May 16, to let me know that she’d been having contractions since earlier that morning and that they were getting more intense but still bearable. This is Briana’s 4th pregnancy, and her goal was to have a VBA2C! (Vaginal birth after 2 Cesareans) She wanted to labor out of the hospital as long as she could before heading into the hospital. Her birth plan included us meeting at a nearby hotel first because she did not live close enough for their comfort. She also had an appointment on Wednesday where her membranes were swept, 70% effaced, 2cm dilated, and a station of -2!

I met Briana and her husband, Brandon, at the hotel around 6:30 pm. Brandon was enjoying the game, while Briana finished up some dinner! They were going on about labor as experienced parents who’ve been through this three times already with fruitful conversations, laughter, and support! With Briana being a birth doula herself, I loved that she hired a doula for extra comfort and support throughout the process. She labored at the hotel for 4 hours before arriving at the hospital around 10:50 pm.

In triage, Briana was visibly working through contractions, where we met Whitney, the amazing CNM on site for the night, along with a few other friendly nursing staff. At 11:46 pm, a cervical check was done right before heading back to her labor and delivery room. She had progressed to 5cm, 75% but still at -2!

We got to Briana’s labor and delivery room at 12:06 am. Within 20 minutes, an IV was placed, and she agreed to “laughing gas” for pain management. She did not want an epidural. Around this time, her sister’s friends arrived as well for additional support. One who’s never seen live childbirth before.

Brandon made a quick phone call home to his girls, Bella, Brielle, and Brooke, to let them know how well mommy was doing and that their little brother would be here soon, right before 1 am. Immediately, contractions were picking up more consistently and becoming unbearable. Hip squeezes were her best comfort measure, and it took the entire team’s effort to get her through the end of labor, along with inhaling nitrous oxide!!

Gravity did its work as she found the edge of her hospital bed.

Brandon could not hold back his admiration for his wife and baby boy. During Deuce’s newborn exam, he followed his every move, waiting for his turn for some good ole skin-to-skin! As the hour came to an end, I was able to capture the birth of the placenta and the first moments of Baby Deuce latching. Her doula and U of M care team were incredible, ensuring Briana and Brandon had everything they needed and then some! Her sister’s friends were so proud and grateful to have witnessed this beautiful triumph.

In the end, Briana got the birth she prepared for! She took control of how she wanted to give birth- trusting her body, care team, and support team!

Words from Birth Photographer, Tiana Lashae

Briana’s birth story was absolutely incredible to witness. She is a doula herself, so her prior knowledge of childbirth education and this being her 4th pregnancy, trusting her body/baby, and ensuring he had the best possible team supporting her all made a BIG impact on her getting the VBA2C that she knew she wanted.

Are you a BIPOC family expecting a little one in 2026? Tiana offers free to reduced rates for Birth photography and postpartum/newborn photography for low-income families on Medicaid in Wayne and Washtenaw counties through Black Birth Joy.

In 2024, Tiana curated a photovoice campaign project called Black Birth Joy, aiming to shift the narrative of black maternal health to be more positive and uplifting, centering the joys in the black birth experience. Because photography is such a powerful postpartum processing tool, families were able to hold their birth journeys closer and remember them more vividly through these storytelling photographs. A birth photographer can be very expensive, but with Black Birth Joy, BIPOC identifying families receive birth and postpartum/newborn photography at no or low cost to them. The photographs developed from the project will be used at local community events to further increase awareness that black families do have safe, supported, and joy-filled births, especially when they receive affirming care from providers.

Want to contribute to Black Birth Joy? We have a GoFundMe! This helps support future families participating in this project.