This is the extraordinary moment a newborn baby reached out to touch her mother’s face just seconds after being delivered.
Birth photographer Selena Rollason, from Brisbane, captured the instantaneous bond between Stephanie Angelico and daughter Olivia after she was delivered by c-section on January 11.
The gesture was made all the more remarkable, Selena says, by the fact most babies have no sense of where they are in relation to their mother when born.
Stephanie, a paediatric nurse, gave birth to Olivia at a private hospital in Brisbane, Australia via caesarean at 39 weeks because the youngster was breech in the womb.
The 30-year-oldsaid: ‘Having skin to skin contact with Olivia as soon as possible was especially important to me because I was having a c-section.
Instant bond:This is the extraordinary moment baby Olivia reached out to touch her mother Stephanie’s face just seconds after being delivered in Brisbane on January 11
‘When she started to reach out to me and touch my face it was such a heartfelt moment.
‘This little baby who had been growing inside me for nine months – it was like she immediately knew who I was and this was where she was meant to be. ’
Photographer Selenasaid she had never witnessed anything like this in more than 100 births she has captured.
She said: ‘New babies don’t usually have a sense of where they are or who they are with when they are first born – especially in the case of a caesarean delivery.
‘They are also often wrapped up tight or covered heavily in blankets and unable to move their arms and legs.
Bond:Birth photographer Selena Rollason captured the instantaneous bond between Stephanie Angelico and daughter Olivia after she was delivered by c-section on January 11
One in a million: Baby Olivia’s gesture was made all the more remarkable, Selena says, by the fact most babies have no sense of where they are in relation to their mother when born
‘In this case, baby Olivia was placed on her mum’s chest for skin to skin time and given the opportunity to be in close contact with her mum.
‘This allowed for a beautiful bonding opportunity between the baby and her mother where it appeared as though the baby clearly knew who she was and she was trying to reach out for her.
‘Despite the more than 20 caesareans and more than 100 births I’ve attended, I’ve never seen a baby repeatedly reach out for her mother in this way.
Stephanie, a paediatric nurse, gave birth to Olivia at a private hospital in Brisbane, Australia via caesarean at 39 weeks because the youngster was breech in the womb
New mum Stephanie said:said: ‘Having skin to skin contact with Olivia as soon as possible was especially important to me because I was having a c-section’
‘The level of familiarisation that the baby had with her mum was evident. She didn’t just reach out for her once, she just kept doing it. I was in amazement.
‘When I realised what I was witnessing, I couldn’t believe how incredibly special it was to not only be present to witness this moment but to be able to capture it for the parents.
Selena said as many hospitals have limitations on whether photographers are allowed in theatre, it was already extra special for her to have been able to take pictures of Stephanie’s c-section.
Proud parent Stephanie said:‘This little baby who had been growing inside me for nine months – it was like she immediately knew who I was and this was where she was meant to be’
Photographer Selena said she had never witnessed anything like this in more than 100 births she has captured – and says it’s extremely rare for a newborn to touch her mother’s face
Photographer Stephanie commented:‘The level of familiarisation that the baby had with her mum was evident. She didn’t just reach out for her once, she just kept doing it. I was in amazement’
She added: ‘Caesarean sections are so clinical and medical yet a naturalised birth where skin to skin and a photographer is permitted makes the whole thing feel more natural and humanised.
‘Caesareans like this place greater element on the importance of the human beings at the centre of the surgery, instead of the medical process.
‘Caesareans have become so medicalised that we forget about the humans laying on the operating tables and their psychological and emotional needs.
‘Skin to skin and immediate close contact between mother and baby is so important for both their psychological and physical health. ’
