By KAYLA SLIMP
kayla.slimp@theeagle.com
Photographs of the newly born Kiely Jhada Maxey hang on the walls of Candace Pittman and Teresa Roberts' Bryan homes. They are the only pictures her mother and grandmother will ever have of her.
Eight days before her due date, Pittman, 21, went to St. Joseph Regional Health Center for a routine doctor's appointment on Aug. 7. Roberts said the pregnancy had progressed normally, just like Pittman's first pregnancy, with 23-month-old daughter Kimora.
But the doctor discovered the baby had a rapid heartbeat and sent Pittman to the hospital's labor and delivery floor for an emergency Caesarean section.
The baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.
Kiely, who weighed 6 pounds and 5 ounces, didn't survive.
Roberts said the family was shocked and in tears.
A nurse told the family about a program in which photographers donate their time to take portraits of babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth.
Kathy Norwood, the owner of K. Norwood Portraiture in College Station, is the only Brazos Valley photographer affiliated with the nonprofit group, called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
"[Kiely] was a beautiful life, and we wanted to have a memory of her," Roberts said about the decision to call Norwood.
The photographer arrived at the hospital less than an hour after Kiely's death. She spent about 30 minutes taking pictures of Kiely alone before capturing the baby with her mother, father, grandmother and other friends and family members.
"It was a godsend," Roberts said. "I'm glad that the program existed. This is a devastating time."
Norwood, who has owned her wedding and portrait photography business for two years, joined the project in April after hearing the group's co-founder, Sandy Puc', speak at a workshop.
In 2005, Colorado resident Cheryl Haggard called Puc' to take pictures of her son, Maddux, who was born with myotubular myopathy and couldn't swallow, breathe or move on his own. He was on life support for six days.
The pictures Puc' took inspired the women, and their movement has united 5,000 photographers in 19 countries.
Norwood said she understands the effect photographs can have on a grieving family. Her 9-year-old niece died more than 10 years ago, she said.
"I know how special the pictures are to our family," she said, choking up. "You can't duplicate the memories of pictures. To be able to provide that for a family, I just felt like it's something I had to do."
Since becoming affiliated with the group, Norwood has taken portraits for three families.
She said she's never sure what to expect when she walks into a hospital room.
"For me, it is incredibly emotional. I can't help but cry with them."
After the photo shoot, Norwood spends about three weeks editing the pictures. She gives the family the images on a DVD, which includes a slide show set to music. Family members can choose which photographs to have printed on their own.
Although Norwood said she doesn't get that many calls from her work with the group, she has had to turn down families when she couldn't make it to the hospital.
"My wish is for other photographers in the area to volunteer if they feel moved," she said, adding that interested photographers can call her for information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
Roberts said the portraits will help her family to remember the child they lost, and they can help Kimora understand that she had a sister.
"It's nice to be able to put a face to a name," Roberts said. "It's like she really existed. I'm glad for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, and I'm grateful to them."
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