Friday, the 14th of December 2012, will be remembered by our entire nation forever.
For me … it was joyous … one of those moments that pauses and becomes you … a moment that all else in the world cannot interrupt …
Friday morning at 7:08 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, a beautiful, healthy baby boy entered this world. His mama had been in labor for 24.5 hours, to be exact. But he made it! Safe and sound and beautiful and crying.
When Ashley and Dylan asked me to be their doula early in their pregnancy, I was honored. Each birth experience is so different from the last, and being there for theirs was extra special since Ashley has helped me mother my own babes for almost three years now. On the days that I work at the farm, she watches my girls. So, I was happy to return a bit of the favor. (I thought of a few other things, but I am saving that for the April/May 2013 issue of MaryJanesFarm magazine.)
When Ashley’s water broke on Thursday morning (almost a week after her due date), off to the hospital I went! After a long day, and an even longer night, she began pushing at 5 a.m. I can still hear my counting …
PUSH,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, breathe, and PUSH,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 …
Afterwards, as we sat and watched him sleep in her arms, we laughed how the last 24 hours had felt like a time warp, like we had no idea what was even going on outside that hospital room. Well, clearly we didn’t, but I wanted to share with you the beauty that was going on inside that room.
Being at a birth is so rewarding. I know from personal experiences of being a doula & a midwife for almost 30 years. It is special to share the coming into the world of a precious little one. I hold my breath until I hear the first cry; and I cry for joy at that same first cry! I will always be thankful for all these special people in my life. (and most of them are grown & have children of their own!)
Alas, in my nursing experience, I only participated in live births when an emergency C-section occurred. That being said, there is no greater happiness or RELIEF than to hear that first cry and see that baby all pink and reacting!!
29 years ago on Dec. 14th, my sweet daughter was born. She has been the joy of her dad’s and my life as she is our only child. Even though Friday was a day of infamy for the rest of the world, it will always hold wonderful memories for those of us who have birthed a child on that date. Congratulations, Ashley on your beautiful boy and may much love always fill your home.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story. We all need to remember that, even in tragic times, miracles happen! Being a Doula is one of the greatest callings on earth! My daughter is one also in Wisconsin.
Awesome pic and everything.