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BOISE — Less than a year after the devastating death of an Idaho couple’s first son who died of complications from birth, the same doctor helped deliver a healthy boy, and the emotional hug between the doctor and new dad has touched thousands through Facebook.
Photographer Sarah Ledford was on hand to document the arrival of baby Klayton, born April 6, 2013, who aspirated meconium before delivery. It was the first death for Dr. Bryan Hodges, who has been delivering babies since 2002.
“For unknown and unexpected reasons tragically their son never took his first breath at delivery,” Ledford wrote on her Facebook page. “It was traumatic to all of us involved.”
Andrew and Amanda Hanson, both 34, told Today.com that it took three years to get pregnant with Klayton, who only lived six days. Amanda Hanson was shocked to find herself pregnant less than two months after Klayton’s passing.
Hodges was there to again help Amanda deliver her baby on Feb. 21. Karson Klayton started wailing loudly after his entrance, and everyone in the room was overcome with emotion.
“That was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard,” Hanson told Today.com. “When he came out, it was like he knew that we needed to hear him … Dr. Hodges was crying and happy and I just reached over and gave him a big old hug.”
Ledford, owner of ShutterHappy Photography, was able to capture the moment on camera.
“Dad and doc embraced and cried and it took my breath away,” Ledford wrote on the caption of the Facebook photo. “That is still the umbilical cord in the doc's hands to tell you how immediately this happened after delivery.”
The photo has touched thousands of people across the world. It has over 270,000 likes and over 15,000 shares. The picture has also garnered over 14,500 comments.
“I'm so happy for the three of you,” wrote one commenter. “Your life experience assures me that our God never leaves our side.”
“Dr. Hodges is one of a kind. He is an AMAZING doctor with a heart of gold,” wrote one another Facebook commenter and former patient of Hodges. “He saved both my life and the life of my son and he will forever hold a special place in, not only my heart, but the heart of so many.”
