This Photographer Helps Document Childbirth in Real Time on Instagram

Posting live updates of special events to services such as Twitter and Instagram is a pretty common thing these days, but one photographer has chosen a relatively uncommon subject for her real-time Instagram snaps: childbirth.

Kansas City-based photographer Cate DePrisco has been helping clients tell their birth stories in real-time through her Instagram feed. Her service is called Instabirthstory.

Not every expecting mother who hires DePrisco wishes to have their experience broadcast for the world to see, but four of them have so far. In addition to DePrisco’s growing list of followers who just enjoy following along, relatives are able to tune in to DePrisco’s stream of images to get updates as things are happening.

The photographs are first captured through DePrisco’s WiFi-enabled camera before being transferred to her phone and then onto Instagram. Here’s a selection of photos from one of the birth stories she has documented thus far:

…. And so the #instabirthstory begins. Mom is nervous and super chatty. Dad is calm, probably because he works here and is comfortable. Grandma is not happy with the scheduled c-section but she’s here for support! #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 7:25am PDT

Let’s take a #selfie before things get rolling! #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 8:10am PDT

“I was going to just put this in your baby’s room to surprise you when you got home but it’s not done yet. This is from the first thing you ever sewed, this is from one of your dresses growing up….” #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 9:03am PDT

… There she goes back to the #operatingroom! #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 9:53am PDT

“Guys, I’m about to be a MOM!” #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 10:14am PDT

WE HAVE A BABY GIRL!! #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 10:17am PDT

This baby girl came out ready to nurse. She thought mom’s chin was a nipple. #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 10:42am PDT

She has some much hair! Mom thinks it’s going to be curly just like dad’s! #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 11:07am PDT

Baby is working hard to latch, and Dad is so curious what it feels like. #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 11:15am PDT

It’s been wonderful having Grandma here because she’s a latch consultant. She’s been standing with her daughter and encouraging her throughout the entire process. Believe it or not, breastfeeding doesn’t happen automatically. Sometimes it takes work. #instabirthstory #birthstory

A photo posted by Cate DePrisco (@instabirthstory) on Apr 2, 2015 at 11:35am PDT

DePrisco’s goal with this new style of birth photography is to show childbirth in a more positive light. “I believe there is a lot of fear surrounding birth because people hear stories of pain and exhaustion, and of course, emergencies and loss,” she tells HuffPo. “But from my perspective, it’s also a beautiful process watching the parents and a medical team work together and supporting each other to bring a new human to his/her first breath.”

You can find more of DePrisco’s work on her website and on Instagram.

Image credits: Photographs by Cate DePrisco and used with permission