Oct., 2000 — Photographs can often preserve an entire event. The one shown here does just that for me. It is part of a larger, nationwide documentary project for Indivisible: Stories of American Community, funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, which explores grassroots democracy at work in 12 very different communities.

I was assigned, along with Karen Michel, who did the oral documentary, to depict the midwifery practice and doula service at University Hospital and Medical Center in Stony Brook, New York. (Doula comes from the Greek word meaning "servant.")

A long time ago, doulas were prevalent in many communities. Today, they are trained certified childbirth assistants, but they do not perform clinical tasks. Together with midwives they provide a network of support for women in labor. I became caught up with the project when Jacqueline, who held an administrative job at the hospital, wanted to get more humanly involved in childbirth. She started working with the doula program, and invited me to accompany her to the first birth she was to attend. I was able to watch an incredibly emotional event take place not only for the mother and father, but also for Jacqueline.

Although I photographed many couples, Sunshin and Robert were representative of the project: They seemed to love and care about each other so much. I asked to move the only light in the room for a quick shot. In those five seconds, I captured the family moment: the awe of the father, the weary exhilaration of the new mother, and the most alert newborn baby I've ever seen. The infant, Olivia, seemed to be looking at everything. I was deeply touched to have been there, to have met so many dedicated, kind, and encouraging people.

With this photograph, and the memory of what went on at the time, I attempted to record the work and pain of the mother. But I believe pictures communicate clearly without words.

Sylvia Plachy is the staff photographer of the Village Voice, where her regular photographic column, "Unguided Tour," has appeared for nine years.