Many years ago, when I became a new mom, I was woefully unprepared for what it truly entailed. As a Dallas maternity photographer now, I look back on that time and understand why capturing these moments matters so deeply. I read the books and took the classes, but nothing can really prepare you for how completely your life changes when you become a mother. And there is absolutely no way to prepare for those first few days.
It’s utter chaos. Now add medical complications, and “chaos” suddenly feels like a massive understatement. The first month was a disaster, as it is for any new parent. Between the sleepless nights and the endless cycle of feedings and diaper changes (so much poo), I had a sinking, sickly feeling that something wasn’t right. My baby just didn’t look ok. I knew, instinctively, that something was very, very wrong. I repeatedly asked our pediatricians to take a closer look at him, particularly to examine his head. But I was met with dismissive reassurances:
“You’re just a new mom,” “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” and “Please stop calling us every day. All newborns look weird.”
After three weeks, I stopped sleeping entirely. My mommy instinct had fully taken over. In the quiet hours between feedings, I stayed up late into the night researching what could be wrong. What I found terrified me. Every possibility was BAD BAD BAD.
Trusting Your Maternal Instinct as a New Mom
By the time his one-month checkup arrived, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely DONE being ignored. So I stormed into that office like a SWAT team and demanded that someone take me seriously. I told them I would not leave until they did. Eye rolls. Heavy sighs.
“Okay, ma’am. I’ll see what I can do…”
Eventually, they sent in an older doctor who had been with the practice for many years. I will never forget the moment he laid Gavin across his lap and carefully, methodically examined his head. After a few quiet minutes, he looked at us and said, “You need to go across the street to the hospital for an MRI. Right now.”
That was the first of many horrifying moments to come.
The Journey No Parent Expects
Over the next two months, we were in and out of the hospital almost daily. Each visit brought new findings: extremely high blood pressure, a hole in his heart, pressure on his brain, possible intracranial bleeding. It was a total nightmare.The solution? A TERRIFYING surgery he would need at just three months old. His skull would be opened, and a section about the size of a deck of cards would be removed to give his brain room to grow over the next two years.
Three surgeons and a cardiologist worked on my little baby boy, and they did an incredible job. The surgery was a success. Just 48 hours later, I was able to hold him and feed him a bottle. I couldn’t believe how quickly he healed.
For the next year, we visited the Children’s Medical Center almost weekly for follow-ups and constant monitoring.
That first year was a blur.
Mostly, I remember crying.
How Photography Helped Me Heal
But one thing I did during that time helped me more than I could have realized. I documented everything with photos. I’m not sure why—maybe so Gavin could one day see them, or maybe because some part of me knew they would matter. What I discovered was that those photos helped me process the trauma.
The first time I looked back at them, I realized I had no memory of much of it. I didn’t even remember standing beside his ICU bed for twelve straight hours the first night.
The photos reminded me not only of the pain, but of the progress. They showed me the strength of that tiny new life and my own strength, too. They reminded me how I fought for my child. And they reminded me how everything turned out okay.
This photo of Gavin in a Santa hat was the very first newborn photo I ever took. It was taken one month after his surgery, and I am still amazed by how quickly he recovered.
Now, when I look at those photos, I don’t just see fear and heartbreak. I see resilience. I see love. I see everything my child and I overcame.
And I am so grateful that I documented those moments, because they remind me why preserving memories matters, especially the beautiful ones yet to come.
A Message to Expecting Moms in Dallas
If you’re pregnant right now, you’re probably dreaming about your baby’s arrival. You’re preparing the nursery, washing tiny clothes, and imagining what life will be like when you finally hold your little one. My hope for you is a smooth delivery and a healthy baby. But my story taught me something important: we can’t predict what our journey will look like. What we can do is capture the moments that matter, so we have something tangible to hold onto when time moves too quickly or when challenges come our way.
Why Dallas Maternity Photography Matters
As a Dallas maternity photographer, I’ve learned that photos are proof of your strength, your love, and your story. Whether your pregnancy journey is smooth or complicated, joyful or challenging, it deserves to be remembered.
You don’t know which moments you’ll want to remember most. That’s why documenting your pregnancy and your baby’s early days matters so much. Years from now, you’ll look back at these photos and remember not just how you looked, but how you felt. You’ll see your strength. You’ll see your love. You’ll see the beginning of your greatest adventure.
Preserve Your Story with Dallas Maternity Photography
At Miette Photography, Jayme specializes in maternity and newborn photography in Dallas, creating timeless images that celebrate every stage of your journey into motherhood. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or growing your family, your story deserves to be beautifully preserved.
Ready to document this incredible chapter? Contact Miette Photography today to book your Dallas maternity photography session.