Capturing a Story of Strength and Placenta Accreta Awareness
Through My Lens: Capturing a Story of Strength and Placenta Accreta Awareness
Some friendships start at work and stay there—but mine grew into something much more. We met as coworkers about five years ago and quickly became best friends. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of documenting the most intimate and powerful moments of her life as a mother, her placenta accreta birth story, and our bond has only deepened with every shutter click and shared memory.
She was one of the first people to believe in me when I was just beginning my photography journey. She asked me to photograph her baby shower, and from there, I got to capture her with her son when he was only a few months old. When he turned one, we did another shoot. I was there to photograph her second pregnancy announcement, then her maternity session, and later their first family photos as a family of four. Most recently, I captured their Mother’s Day session. As her family grew, I got to witness my photography grow too.
This blog is a tribute to her strength, her journey, and a topic not enough people know about—placenta accreta. She let me in during one of the scariest times of her life, and her bravery continues to inspire me.
The Early Days
I still remember our first photoshoot—when it was just her and her baby boy. She was a brand new mom. So young, and yet her love for her son was so powerful and clear. Those early sessions are deeply meaningful to me. She trusted me to tell their story, even though I was still learning how to use my camera at its full capacity. That trust built a creative and emotional bond that continues to shape the way I see my work today. Little did we know that we were meant to also use that trust to strengthen each other in life as we are about to go through one of the toughest years of our lives.
The love between her and her son is something that I truly admire. It’s the kind of connection that I hope to have with my own children one day—a gentle strength and deep understanding that radiates in every moment they share. It’s the kind of connection that I hope to capture in all of my family sessions, especially this one.
Watching Her Family Grow
I had the privilege of seeing her family grow, not just through my lens but in real life. I was actually the one who introduced her to her now partner. Watching their relationship blossom and documenting each milestone along the way—pregnancy announcements, maternity shoots, and family portraits—was a privilege I’ll never take for granted.
I remember the day she took the pregnancy test. I could tell she was overwhelmed with every single emotion that one could have in a moment like that. But overall, I knew she was over the moon that she was pregnant with her second child.
“When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I felt everything—shock, fear, love, confusion, and hope—all at once.
My son was only a year old. I was still deep in the early motherhood trenches, trying to find my footing, still learning who I was after becoming a mom. My days were filled with bottles, diapers, and sleepless nights. My body hadn’t even fully recovered, and emotionally, I was still adjusting to the huge life shift that comes with your first child.
And then—just like that—two lines on a test and changed everything again.
I remember staring at that pregnancy test in disbelief. Not because I didn’t want another child one day, but because the timing felt so…soon. I was still catching my breath from the first whirlwind, and here I was being swept into another. My partner and I had only been together for a short time. We were still getting to know each other in some ways—still figuring out how to be a team, how to build a life together. And now we were going to be parents again.
It was overwhelming.
But underneath the fear and uncertainty, there was also a quiet sense of love growing. I didn’t know what the future would look like, but I knew this little life inside me was real—and that she was mine…ours. Just like my son, she was unexpected but deeply meant to be.”
The Unexpected Diagnosis: Placenta Accreta
The beginning of her pregnancy was filled with so much joy—celebrating the news of their first child they would welcome together, tossing around baby names, and dreaming up plans for a gender reveal. It wasn’t just about preparing for a new baby—it was about watching their family grow. One of the sweetest parts was knowing that their toddler son was about to become a big brother. I am so glad they were able to experience these moments as a growing family before they find out the news that will change their lives forever.
Her second pregnancy quickly came with fear and uncertainty.
“It was one of those moments that you never forget—the kind that completely catches you off guard and changes everything. I believe we were at my 20 week anatomy scan and like any expecting couple, we went in hoping for nothing more than reassurance that everything was progressing normally.
The technician started the routine ultrasound, took all of the necessary scans. Then, when she got to my placenta, she grew quiet. She took a lot of measurements and pictures, she was taking longer than usual. In my previous pregnancy, I had complications with placenta previa, so in my head, that’s what I thought would happen again.
The OB came in and gently told us that they were concerned that I might have placenta accreta. He explained how the placenta can grow too deeply into the uterine wall and not detach properly after delivery. I remember hearing words like high-risk, hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and NICU. I felt a mix of confusion, fear, and disbelief. It was hard to understand how something my body was supposed to do naturally had become something potentially dangerous for both me and my baby.”
Placenta accreta is a serious pregnancy condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall. This can prevent it from detaching after birth and can lead to severe blood loss. It is a high-risk condition, often requiring early delivery and a hysterectomy to save the mother’s life.
Everything about her pregnancy changed at that moment. Her care team increased her monitoring, involved specialists, and began preparing for every possible scenario.
“Emotionally, it was hard. I struggled with a lot of fear—fear of the unknown, fear of not being here for my babies, and fear of what recovery would look like. It forced me to let go of the idea of a “perfect” birth and embrace the plan that would keep us both safe. It’s a diagnosis no one wants to hear, but I’m grateful it was caught in time. I’ve learned that sometimes the strongest thing you can do is face the fear, trust your care team, and keep moving forward—one appointment, one breath, one day at a time.”
The Placenta Accreta Birth Story and the Brave Decision
She gave birth to a healthy baby girl but had to undergo a hysterectomy immediately afterward. There was no time to grieve the loss of her fertility. Her newborn was taken to the NICU, and she shifted into survival mode. With a premature baby and a toddler at home, her own healing had to wait.
Through it all, she didn’t dwell on her own pain. Instead, she poured every ounce of love and strength into caring for her babies. That kind of selfless, fierce love is the purest form of motherhood I have ever witnessed.
What Helped Her Stay Strong
Pregnancy is never just about the physical changes—it’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal. When she was diagnosed with placenta accreta, everything shifted. As she said, “There were times where I felt so alone because no one else could truly understand what was happening.” But what really held her up—what kept her strong—was her village: her family and friends, her son Xander, and her partner.
Her family and friends stepped in whenever things got heavy. “They knew what I needed before I could even say it. Sometimes it was a warm meal or a text that simply said, ‘How are you holding up?’” They gave her the space to feel what she needed without pressure or judgment and reminded her that she didn’t have to do everything alone.
And then there was Xander—her beautiful, bright, funny two-year-old boy who became her biggest source of light. Though he couldn’t understand the complexity of what was happening, “He hugged me tighter. He stayed close. His giggles filled the quiet, heavy moments with joy I didn’t know I needed.” Watching him be his happy, playful self reminded her every day what she was fighting for. “He gave me strength without even trying—just by being my son.”
Her partner, Tyrone, was her rock through it all. “When I broke down, he held me. When I needed calm, he gave it. And when the fear crept in late at night, he was the one who whispered, ‘We’re going to be okay.’” His strength wasn’t about trying to fix things but about simply showing up—over and over again—with unwavering love, patience, and steady hands. “We carried this pregnancy together, and I knew I could face anything with them by my side.”
Processing Grief and Joy
She had no time to grieve for her uterus. It may sound silly to some that she was grieving an organ. But to women—it is not just an organ—it is the place given to us that is meant to grow life. To moms, it was the place that held their babies before they entered this world. She could not fall apart after such an important part of her was removed before she could say goodbye.
“The reality hit hard: I would never carry another child. The chapter of growing life inside me had ended in that operating room.”
She decided to put her grief to the side knowing that her love and worry for her newborn baby was more important. Everything else in their world faded into the background. She told herself that she had to stay strong—for her, for Xander, for her partner, for herself.
“But underneath that strength was a quiet pain I didn’t have time to name. I felt joy and sadness at once. Gratitude and loss. I was a new mother again, but I had also just lost something deeply personal and defining.”
Now that the NICU days are behind them, she is starting to make space for that grief. Agreeing for her story to be featured in this blog is a part of it. When answering the interview questions, she started crying realizing that she had not taken time to process what had happened to her. But she is choosing to honor it.
“To say, yes—I am so deeply in love with my daughter, so thankful for her life, but I’m also allowed to mourn the loss of something I’ll never get back.”
Capturing Her Story Through My Lens
Being her friend made photographing her story even more special. I felt safe trying creative things, experimenting, and truly putting my heart into every image. Because I was not afraid of judgement, I could create freely—and that freedom led to work that was raw, real, and deeply meaningful.
I am so grateful to have been there behind the scenes as her friend. Being able to comfort her through the anxiety and scary moments. I was able to truly see her resilience up close. Her strength gave me a deeper understanding of womanhood, of motherhood, and of what it really means to show up even when you are afraid. She never got the chance to fully grieve her loss, because she had no choice but to be strong.
Every session with her family now holds even deeper meaning, knowing the journey they’ve walked through together. I feel incredibly grateful that they continue to trust me—not just to capture their love, but to help honor the story that made them who they are.
Why This Story Matters
Her journey is a powerful reminder of how fragile and strong motherhood can be all at once. Photography gave her a way to hold on to those fleeting moments, to see her story from a place of strength, hope, and love.
“Motherhood has been the most profound, transformative journey of my life—one that words often fail to fully express. Each pregnancy, each birth, each stage of raising my children has held a unique kind of beauty, strength, and vulnerability. Having that journey captured through photography has meant everything to me.
These photos are memories I can hold in my hands when the moments start to blur and they are there for my children, Ty, and I to remember how far we’ve come as a family. They are my proof that I showed up—even in the uncertainty, even in the exhaustion, even when I felt like I wasn’t enough.
I am forever grateful for Studio Dessy for being there to capture these moments for my family and I.”
What She Wants You To Know
She wants every mom and woman who might be walking a similar path to know this:
“… if you’re walking through something similar, you’re not alone. While my experience is personal, the feelings behind it—the fear, the hope, the love—are so universal.
Whether your pregnancy is complicated, your motherhood journey feels heavier than expected, or you’re simply exhausted — your feelings are valid. The fear, the resilience, the quiet moments of strength no one sees — it all matters. This experience taught me that there is no “right” way to bring a child into the world.
What I hope more women understand is that we don’t have to carry these stories alone. Sharing them — speaking the truth out loud — is healing. It’s how we remind each other that we are strong, even in our most vulnerable moments.”
Her experience has taught me that stories like hers need to be shared—not just for awareness, but to remind us all that it’s okay to ask for help, to lean on others, and to find healing in community.
Spreading Awareness
Spreading Awareness
Placenta accreta is rare but incredibly serious. It can be caused by previous C-sections or uterine surgeries and is more common with placenta previa. Early signs can include unexplained bleeding. If undiagnosed, it can be fatal during delivery.
Her story is proof that awareness saves lives. If she hadn’t known about her condition ahead of time, a natural delivery could have resulted in fatal blood loss. Instead, she got the care she needed in time.
If you’re reading this, please take a moment to learn about placenta accreta and share this story. Stories like hers can make a difference.
Resources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/placenta-accreta/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376436
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17846-placenta-accreta
Closing Reflections
Being part of her journey has taught me so much about love, resilience, and the importance of memory. Photography has always been more than pictures to me—it’s about preserving truth, emotion, and legacy.
To my friend, thank you. Thank you for your strength, your trust, and your heart. And to every mom walking through a difficult pregnancy, know this: you are not alone. Your story matters.
If you want your own motherhood journey documented with care, honesty, and love—I’d be honored to help tell your story. Click here to start your journey.
If you haven’t read my last post, you can click here to read it.
Placenta Accreta Awareness
Let’s continue to talk about it. Let’s share the stories that save lives.
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6/11/2025
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