D’Cheya @thelifeof.chey mama #5 texted me on Thursday, May 22, at 9:47 am, letting me know that she was leaking fluids and was 1-2 centimeters dilated, but no contractions, and that @birthdetroit was bringing her in to try getting contractions going! She’d just had her 39-week prenatal appointment with them a day before, around 10 am, where she agreed to a cervical exam. She believes that her sac was accidentally ruptured during this time.

Around 5 pm, she texted me to let me know that she was 3CM, still trying to get contractions going, and confirmed her sac was indeed ruptured. She alerted me that if she doesn’t start contracting by 1 AM, she’d be transferred to the hospital to be induced. Her doula was on site along with some of the Birth Detroit midwives to help induce labor, but all options were exhausted. Her birth plan took a dramatic turn as she navigated transferring to the hospital.

By 3:30 AM (now Friday, May 23rd), D’cheya had been admitted to the hospital, 4CM dilated, and started on Pitocin. I met D’Cheya, her husband, and sister at Henry Ford Main Hospital at 6:30 am because I usually don’t arrive as a birth photographer until active labor.

I agreed almost immediately after arriving to act as an extra set of hands of support as her doula was not with her at the hospital, and baby Da’Moni’s heartbeat was dipping during contractions!! We tried a few things for a couple of hours, including shifting positions almost every 15-20 minutes, taking a quick walk around the L&D unit, sitting on the birthing ball, side lying, and forward leaning over the birth ball on the hospital bed to find a sweet spot that the baby would tolerate. By 8:35 am, she had agreed to pain meds through an IV, amniofusion to increase fluids around the baby to assist with stabilizing the baby’s heart rate, and was checked to find that she was still 4CM and meconium-stained fluid, indicating that Baby Da’Moni had popped. (sign of stress for baby)

@thelifeof.chey was visibly exhausted, and the lack of progress and meconium-stained waters weren’t the most flattering news. As her acting doula, I knew that she needed to try resting as much as she could. She hadn’t had much sleep and was still coming down from an emotional high, still processing this major shift in her birth plan. Her husband, who had left a bit earlier to let their dog out, brought in the most gorgeous bouquet of blue roses at the right time and stayed right by her side-allowing her space to just breathe, supporting her whenever he could. His words were her comfort. One of the sweet midwives from Birth Detroit also stopped by to extend love, support, and encouragement.

After a few hours of position changes and having the Pitocin lowered- still trying to find that happy spot for the baby- she agreed to an epidural to help her rest and hopefully dilate more. Her epidural was administered around 11:30. She rested a little bit before being checked again at 2:30 pm. She was still 4CM!! A head monitor was applied to baby Da’Moni’s head, and Pitocin was increased, but within 15 minutes, the attending midwife started to notice late decels in the baby’s heart rate, which she explained could mean an unhappy placenta! We immediately got back in the most comfortable spot for Da’Moni, which was on her hands and knees! The 36-hour mark (3 pm) post rupture was approaching, variables were too low for the midwife’s comfort, and D’Cheya and her husband had to have the hard discussion of a potential c-section!

She was checked for a final time around 4:45 pm, where she was still 4CM and the baby’s heart rate was a growing concern! D’Cheya showed so much resilience, but was extremely fatigued. She did what was best and safest for her and her baby! We prepared to head back to the OR to deliver her boy via C-section!

It was 6:15 pm when we were all suited up and ready to head back to the OR! @thelifeof.chey was rushed back swiftly, her husband and I were halted for about 5 minutes before entering the OR. Upon entry, we saw that she had already been cut, and baby was nearly out! Baby Da’Moni was born at 6:25 pm, her husband went to support her, while I went to watch Da’Moni’s exam. D’Cheya’s motherly instincts kicked right in, telling me, “Tiana, do not let them do anything to my baby!” They planned not to give the baby meds or anything without her consent. I assured her that I would make sure her desires were honored.

As overwhelmed as D’Cheya was during this super-fast belly birth, I knew she would be an amazing protector and mother. The relief and joy in her face meeting Da’Moni for the first time was rewarding to watch. She had many hard choices to make during this birth, many unexpected, but her strength and resilience prevailed.

After getting cleaned up, Da’Moni was excitedly welcomed as we made it back to her recovery room. He was the most alert baby I’ve ever seen, having everyone in awe. His dad, aunt, and grandma couldn’t be more proud of D’Cheya, despite her original birth goals. She really wanted to have a birth center water birth, and feels that it was ripped from her. As elated as she is to finally have her littlest joy in her arms, happy and healthy-she is still processing, healing, and finding joy in all that she went through during her labor and delivery.

Words from Birth Photographer, Tiana Lashae

D’Cheya’s birth was not at all what she had planned for, nor anticipated happening. She was so resilient, navigating this emergency C-section. I am incredibly proud of her. As a first-time mom, it can be disheartening not to be able to experience what you know you deserve.

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.