This was published 5 years ago
The moment of motherhood
15 ImagesFor most human beings, the first face we see will be our Mothers. Fairfax photographer Janie Barrett captures the moment at birth when the mother meets the baby for the first time. Follow us on Twitter and check out our photography club Clique.
1/15
Same sex couple Rachelle Keenan (birth mum) and Fabiana Perfilio, were told the waiting time for donor sperm in Australia was two years so they decided to do IVF with donor sperm from The USA. Before sperm can be shipped it has to comply with Australian laws, one being that the baby has the right to look up the identity of the donor. This is the moment midwife, Cherie Coorey, gives baby Charlie was back to Rachelle and Fabiana, left, after having a puff of oxygen, at the Liverpool Hospital, in Western Sydney. Rachelle's mum, Judy Keenan, is pictured behind Fabiana. Credit:Janie Barrett
2/15
Apollo was Martine Ainuu's fourth baby but everyone of her births has been different and this one was definitely the most painful, so painful that the midwife, Deborah Robinson, (right) had to ask her not to hurt or push father, Matt Bellamy, away. This is the moment of relief and joy when she holds Apollo for the first time.Credit:Janie Barrett
3/15
This is the moment of elation when Terry Ussher, who donned gloves and helped "catch the baby", handed their baby, Ruby, to mum, Tori Axisa, at the Nepean Hospital in Kingswood, Sydney.Credit:Janie Barrett
4/15
Sally Walsh, goes for a midnight walk, supported by her friend, Angela Topping, left, and her doula, Nadine Waldbaum, right, during her labour at home. before going into the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
5/15
Sally Walsh, laboured at home for as long as she could before going into the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
6/15
Sally Walsh is supported by her doula, Nadine Waldbaum, during her emergency caesarian at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
7/15
Sally Walsh, meets her baby, Isaac, for the first time in the neonatal intensive care unit after an emergency caesarian at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
8/15
Michael Box supports Lea Fenton during her labour at home before going into the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
9/15
Michael Box supports Lea Fenton during her labour at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
10/15
Michael Box supports Lea Fenton during her labour at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
11/15
This is the moment Lea Fenton and Michael Box get their baby, Caleb, back from Dr Joyce Tan, left, and midwife, Veronica Hegedus after he was quickly checked out because his heart rate dropped during the delivery, at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
12/15
This is the moment Lea Fenton and Michael Box are left to snuggle with their baby, Caleb, after a very long delivery at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett
13/15
Caroline Jones had a planned caesarian for her second child, Morgan, after her first labor ended in an emergency caesarian two years before at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. She was surprised that the baby was given to her straight away and she got to hold him against her before he was cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket.Credit:Janie Barrett
14/15
Caroline Jones had a planned caesarian for her second child, Morgan, after her first labor ended in an emergency caesarian two years before at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney. She was surprised that the baby was given to her straight away and she got to hold him against her before he was cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket. Credit:Janie Barrett
15/15
Same sex couple Rachelle Keenan (birth mum) and Fabiana Perfilio, centre, were told the waiting time for donor sperm in Australia was two years so they decided to do IVF with donor sperm from The USA. This is the moment baby Charlie was placed on Rachelle after being born, by midwife, Natalie Parker, right, at the Liverpool Hospital, in Western Sydney. (Other midwife in foreground is Nicole Serrao.)Credit:Janie Barrett
