Surprise, Surprise

Birth 2

One day while in class, we were told that afternoon we would see a REAL- LIVE pregnant women and get to listen to REAL-LIVE fetal heart tones (the baby's heartbeat). Every other time it’s been from a video. While gathering in our "birthing room", I had the thought "I wonder if the parents have a Doula? It would be nice if I could be their Doula". As the mother and father walked in, I realized that I knew the couple. We crossed paths before, have familiar associations and current connections. So naturally, the husband and I caught up quickly as the birthing mother got on the exam table.

When the students finished listening to the baby, my teacher asked the couple if they plan on having a Doula. They didn't think about it because they forgot that Hartland was so close and had this program.

As they were getting ready to leave they called me over.

Husband: "Do you have a car?’’

Me: "Yes"

Husband: "So you can come to the house and hospital when we need you?"

Me: "Yes" (with sheer excitement in my voice, but I was trying to stay cool)

Husband: "Ok great give us your number, we'll call you"

You can probably begin to imagine the mixed feelings I felt at this time; excitement, nervousness, surprised, apprehensive and as I thought about it more the list got longer and longer. I went to my teacher and told her what just happened and she was so happy for me. This showed the Lord was providing me with these experiences. She encouraged her assistant Tammy (who is studying to take her license exam) to work with me. That was a blessing!

We came together and she helped me go over questions to ask the couple about their birthing preferences, previous births, concerns, expectations etc.

So it was waiting time, according to her due date she was 2 weeks overdue, but birthing mother thought she was right on time. I learned to keep my phone volume up even during the middle of the night. That may seem like common sense, but for me, it had to be intentional. Anyone that really knows me knows that my phone goes on airplane mode at 8:30 and shut off before bed. Therefore, I was afraid that habit will kick in and I will miss the phone call. The Lord was good, the call came in at 2 in the morning and we met the couple at the hospital. Yet to her surprise, she was not ready for admittance and was sent home. Then the next day around 2 am we got another call. This time Tammy and I met mommy at her house and watched her during labor and timed her contractions and saw that she was ready to go to the hospital.

In this experience, I clearly saw the development from early to late stage of labor. The focus and intensity that characterized the mother increases from stage to stage. You can tell by the countenance and behavior of the mother her progression in labor. That gave me a glimpse of how midwives are able to avoid certain interventions.

This birthing mother taught me, that God is her strength. The peace she had in resting in Him and his ability to get her through, was beautiful to behold. In between each contraction, while all eyes (nurses and doctors included) were on her, she whispered a prayer for strength. Often I would hear her utter the words, " Father I can’t do this unless you help me". I believe, by watching this mother in labor the scripture became real to me "my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness". {2 Cor 12:9}

I would have never thought that God would bring me to a place where I do not know anyone, then reunite me with old acquaintances to assist them in labor,but then again why am I surprised "for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." {Is 55:9} So, therefore, I would expect to "see greater things than these." {John 1:50}

Blessings!