Isaiah's Birth Story... Part Two

... continued from here...

It has been a long time since I started the story, so I will remind you that at this point...  I have been in active labor since somewhere between 5 & 6 in the morning.  I've been having bloody show for hours, & my midwife is on the way!

I got out of the tub & began walking.  I was afraid this would slow things down, but it made them immediately faster.  Every time I started walking, a contraction would start.  They were coming about every 2 minutes now.

Sarah & her apprentice Abigail arrived at about 12:30pm.  We had met Abigail on the previous prenatal visit.  She was kindhearted and knowledgable, and we were lucky to have her assistance.  Soon after they arrived, a contraction began, Sarah quickly got behind me & put pressure somewhere on my back.  She talked me through it, reminding me to relax my whole body, my jaw, my hands.  Her soothing voice and hands were magical.  There was a remarkable difference between the contractions before & after she arrived.

She then instructed me to lie on the bed, so she could check my progress and Isaiah’s heartbeat.  He sounded healthy.  I confessed that I was afraid of her checking me, because what if I wasn’t very far along?  I feared that she would tell me I was only 2 or 3 centimeters dilated.  Big sis, my mom, and Sarah all guessed I would be around 4 or 5.  Then she went in.  With a shocked voice, she said, “Jewel, I can’t believe it, you are so far along already.  You are between 7 & 8 centimeters dilated.  Let’s say 7 to be safe.”  Hell yes. 

I was so relieved, maybe even elated.  Especially after Sarah kept saying how shocked and impressed she was.  She was really good at making me feel good about myself.  After this experience, I think this is a required skill of midwifery.

Sarah instructed Abigail to call the assistant midwife & Keri, the photographer.

Because I didn’t remember the last time I had eaten, she told me I needed to eat something now, since we didn’t know how much time would remain until delivery.  I needed energy, so water & food were a must.  I moved the ball into the kitchen/dining area all the way to the bar, so I could have something to hold onto during contractions.  My mom & sisters made me a plate with a half a sandwich & a glass of white grape juice.  I didn’t feel like eating anything, but I followed instructions.  I also wanted to taste my cheesecake to make sure it had turned out well.  I took a bite & gave the rest to Marcus.  It was better than the last time I made it.  It was a success. 

Sarah asked if I wanted to go somewhere quieter to labor, but I was good around everyone.  I liked the energy of the room & thought it would be more memorable then anywhere else.  My sisters & mom were in the kitchen preparing food for everyone, while the midwives were walking around preparing items for the birth.  Sarah occasionally sat behind me & put pressure on my back during contractions.  I asked her to teach Marcus how, and he took her place.  She also instructed him to fill up a metal water bottle with hot water, and she taught him how to rub that against my lower back.  The combination of heat & pressure was pretty amazing too. 

I would announce when a contraction was starting, and everyone would go silent.  My little sister kept talking until my older sister scolded her.  I’m not sure whether I hated the talking as much as she did during labor, but I appreciated her concern.  I guess it helped to have silence in order to focus on my breathing. 

The remaining members of my birth team arrived.  Here is where the pictures begin.  I forget why now, but we moved into the bedroom.  There I would lean against pillows on the edge of my bed while I bounced on the ball through contractions.

Marcus sat behind me on the love seat.  And thanks to him, amidst the pain & seriousness of the contractions, there were still many amusing & pleasant moments.

Everyone else stayed out in the living area; not sure what they were doing.  Big sis eventually came in to take Marcus’s place putting pressure with the hot water bottle.  They were pretty strong at this point, but they still weren’t as close together as desired.  Sarah instructed me to stand up, lean against the bed and sway my hips back & forth. Not as awesome as the ball, but it wasn’t bad, and since she said it would help Isaiah move down, I was all for it. 

Then she told me to rub my breasts during the next contraction.  But it seemed inconvenient in that position, and I forgot once the contraction started.  So she explained to Marcus & I that we needed to go through a few contractions on the toilet.  This would further entice the baby to make his descent down the birth canal.  And we were instructed to perform some breast stimulation to bring the contractions closer together.

For some reason, the toilet part terrified me.  I don’t know if I was scared that Isaiah would come out in the toilet.  Or if the pressure was just stronger here.  It just seemed so inevitable. 

My fear was justified.  But I still can’t really pinpoint what was so horrible about it.  We discovered later that this was the worst part for both me & Marcus.  And the contractions definitely got closer!  Back to back.  No break.  I could only handle about 5 of them like this.  I had to get up during the 6th contraction.  I rushed to finish it on the ball.  The pressure was incredible, & I thought I felt something pushing outwards as I sat on the ball.  I told Sarah I felt like I needed to push. 

She led me to the bed & gave me several options of pushing positions.  I could lie on my side, stand up, squat, or be on my hands & knees.  I picked the last one & took my place on the bed.  Pillows surrounded my head for me to hold onto. 

Someone brilliantly thought to play the music on the playlist on which I worked so diligently.  Between contractions, I awkwardly explained to my little sister how to hook up the speakers to my iPod.  The music was calming & appropriate.  I remember Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova & Snow Patrol.  It wasn’t on shuffle like it should have been, but I couldn’t say it out loud for some reason.

The contractions now were so strong & hard.  But not enough.  Sarah told me & Marcus to go back in the bathroom.  No, not again!  Very reluctantly we did.  And we did what we did before.  It was just as horrible.  I really felt like something was going to come out.  I didn’t want to continue.  Sarah came in this time & asked me to reach down & see if I could feel his head.  I felt something. 

Back to the bed.  Back on my hands & knees.  She was going to check my progress now.  She was shocked.  I was fully dilated & effaced, she could feel my water sac & his head, and we were ready to have a baby! 

The next contraction held off just long enough for Sarah to explain what to do next.  She told me that with the next contraction I was supposed to push as hard as I could, not letting anything come out of my mouth or my nose like I had been doing.  I am so thankful that she told me it was going to feel like the biggest bowel movement I’ve ever had.  But I wasn’t to worry because the sensation didn’t necessarily meant that I would have one. 

I was squeezing the pillows & Marcus’s hands.  He was leaning over the side of the bed huddled up beside me, telling me how great I was doing & how wonderful I was.  I couldn’t smile in response or talk back to him, but I was so grateful that he was there, saying those things.

That next contraction came, and I pushed just like I was told.  Just like I watched the moms do on all the videos I watched.  My water broke.  It gushed everywhere in several stages.  I could hear people exclaim that it was a lot of water.  Then they told me they could see his head.  Marcus ran back to see & then rushed back to my side.  I kept pushing, and they told me his head was out.  Sarah yelled at me to stop pushing.  Slow down, she said, just breathe.  I did, and that was the weirdest feeling ever because I could feel him moving out slowly with every breath.  I had no choice but to breathe very shallow breaths like you see in the movies.  Then she told me to push again.  Marcus left me & took his position at the other end.  I pushed again, and he was out! 

I heard exclamations of wonder & joy.  I didn’t make any myself.  I felt like I was just observing.  Except for any primal sounds of pain, I was quietly listening to what was happening behind me.  Until Sarah told me to reach below my belly because she was going to pass my baby between my legs.  Like a football.  The cord was apparently shorter than usual.    I reached for him, the pass was complete.  Then I turned over so I could lie down on my back.  Someone pulled up my dress so he could lie skin to skin on my chest. 

My emotions were too overwhelming to feel.  I think I was more in shock than anything.  I just pushed a baby out of me.  My baby.  Isaiah.  He was just lying there in front of me.  And he was beautiful. 

 Marcus cut the cord.

Isaiah & I learned how to breastfeed for the first time.  My big sister fed me a little & gave me some water.  Sarah explained in detail what they could determine from examining my placenta.  I really wish I had this part recorded because I thought it was fascinating, but I can’t remember anything she said. 

Isaiah & I got in the herbal bath together.  I held him with his head just above the water so he could stay warm.  We both just looked at each other, absorbing our new worlds. 

There was examining & measuring...

Joy, amazement, wonder & thankfulness...  Isaiah made it safely into the world.

I was in labor for about 9 hours.  I pushed for 11 minutes.  I feel so lucky to have had the experience I did.  I don't know what I would have done if the pushing lasted hours like it does for some.

It seemed like everything happened at once.  I felt like I was going through motions that I had read about & watched.  Like I was listening & doing, just doing.  I wish I could more insightfully explain my experience of giving birth, but it’s so hard for me to explain what it was like and how I felt.  Afterward, as much as I contemplated my thought process & how to tell my story, the only word that ever popped in my head was “natural.”  It just seemed natural to me.  Like I was meant to do it, and I did it.  And although it was likely the most pain I’ve ever felt, but it wasn't devastating, and that isn’t what I think about when I remember it.  I think about accomplishment.  I think about Isaiah.

It was a perfect experience.  I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

Isaiah's Birth Story... Part One

Things keep interrupting my progress, so I thought I would post in sections as I complete them.

I didn’t cry until two days after the birth.  I’m not sure why because every time I watched other women’s births, I cried.  I balled at my sister’s birth.  And every birth I watched after that incited tears.  Maybe after the birth, I was in shock.  Maybe I was too exhausted.

But two days later I cried.  While I looked at Isaiah sleeping, while I nursed.  I just kept thinking how thankful I was that everything happened the way it did.  And especially how thankful I was that Marcus was as wonderful as he was. 

I wanted to write this sooner afterwards so I wouldn’t forget any details.  Obviously that didn’t happen, and I’m sad about it. 

Nevertheless...

Isaiah’s Birth Story

Tuesday morning at about 4:30am I started to feel my first contractions.  I could tell they more than Braxton Hicks because I had to breathe through them to manage the pain.  I began timing them with this wonderful iPhone app called Labor Mate.  I tested a few others days before, and this was by far my favorite.  The contractions were consistently 9 minutes apart.  Marcus wanted to go fishing that day, but I suggested that maybe he shouldn’t go because we might be having a baby that day.  We giggled in excitement.  He agreed to stay, but I decided against letting him in case it was false labor.  It was a good decision.

I heeded what I knew my midwife’s advice would be, & I tried to sleep.  It didn’t work.  I got up instead & began preparing things.  I took a shower, ate breakfast, dried and straightened my hair, put on makeup, and put on my chosen labor outfit, a black bathing suit & a black coverup from Victoria’s Secret worn as a dress. 

At about 9, there was a knock on the door.  The maintenance man I called over a week ago was ready to put up some mirrors for me.  Thank goodness he came before I gave birth.  It was definitely a sign that I was ready to go into labor, because I previously claimed that I couldn't have a baby without it being done.  But the contractions stopped when he came.  I wasn't surprised.  I read about some births where women completely reversed their progress (from like 8 to 3 centimeters) when someone unfamililar entered the room.  They started again while he was there, but they were spaced out more.  30 minutes then 15 minutes then 10 minutes apart, random & not getting closer together. 

My little sis, Mom, and I began cooking.  Cappuccino Cheesecake, Brownies, Corn Dip, Salsa, Veggies & Fruit were on the menu for the birth.  When a contraction came, I left the kitchen, started the timer on my iPhone, & bounced on the ball.  That very quickly became & remained my preferred position in which to labor.  Contractions never stopped, but they remained randomly spaced.

Marcus called me & text me throughout the day to check on me.  He returned in the afternoon & left again for work.  I was sad that he had to go, but I knew I could just summon him if I progressed significantly.

My big sister was still in Florida.  The past several weeks, we were all worried about what we would do if she was still there when it was baby time.  What could she do?  She talked about catching a flight back, but now that seemed like an unrealistic option.  I didn’t want to worry her, so I waited until 4 to tell her what was happening.  They decided they would start driving back then.  I was torn between wanting it to happen soon to be done with the pain & wanting it to be delayed so she could make it. 

I sent Sarah a text at 4 as well.  She told me what I thought she would, that the contractions were too far apart to be considered anything but pre-labor or prodromal labor.  She told me to take a bath.  But I didn’t really feel like it.  Later that evening Sarah told me to drink a glass of wine or take Benadryl to ensure that I would get some rest.  There was no point in wasting my energy on false labor. 

I wanted to wait until Marcus got home to go to sleep.  He arrived at 2am.  I went for the glass of wine only to discover that the unopened bottle we were saving was bad.  And we had no Benadryl.  Without these helpers, I knew I couldn’t go to sleep.  So we watched the last three episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.  Wow, what a fabulous season finale! 

I  eventually had to start sitting up tall during contractions.  Lying down or leaning back didn’t allow me to contain them or breathe into them as well as I needed.  I held on to Marcus, and at times he was amused & shocked at how hard I squeezed.  It was nice spending a little time alone before everything really began.  

After the shows, we were both exhausted.  Since I didn’t love having contractions lying down, I decided to try and sleep in the living room.  Marcus very sweetly slept nearby on another couch.  He mumbled as he was falling asleep that I could hold onto him during contractions if I needed to. 

I tried to lie down on the couch to rest, but with every contraction, I had to sit up to get through them.  Thank goodness the contractions didn’t come on really strongly at first like I’ve read happens occasionally because I needed this practice breathing.  I listened to my birth playlist with my headphones.  Damien Rice, Feist, Ingrid Michaelson, Jose Gonzalez.  Soft, slow, depressing & beautiful. 

My big sis, her husband and their son arrived at about 5am.  I let them sleep in my room since my mom & little sis were in their room and Marcus and I were in the living room.  Contractions by now were varying from 5-7 minutes apart with an occasional 10-15 minutes. 

My nephew woke up shortly after they arrived, so we put him in the guest bedroom with my mom & little sis, so his mom & dad could get more rest.  They watched cartoons to entertain him.  I wished I could hold him, he was so cute!  But I kept having to go sit on the ball.  I put it next to the end of the couch and tried to lean my head on the pillows in between them to sleep.  I was so tired. 

At 8:02am I text Sarah that I had been having contractions consistently throughout the night, they were now 4.5-5 minutes apart and 1-1.5 minutes long.  I decided to listen to her this time and get in the bath.  I moved little sis & Mom to the living room and my brother-in-law to the other bedroom, so my bedroom would be clear. 

Getting in the bath slowed the contractions down to 6 minutes apart.  I hated being in there.  It was isolated and lonely.  There was nothing to hold onto.  I felt the opposite of grounded.  It didn’t help the pain.  And I was worrying the whole time about my phone getting wet.  I got out after about 4-5 contractions.  As soon as I did, they returned to about 5 minutes apart. 

I resumed laboring on the ball in my bedroom, leaning over the bed for support & rest.  Sarah called & asked me several questions about the contractions.  I then remembered to tell her that about 1 hour earlier, I saw some bloody show when using the restroom & then every time after that.  I’m glad that at the time I forgot exactly what that meant - it meant that I was dilating.  Had I known that, I probably would have gotten overly excited about my progress.  She asked where I felt the contractions, front, back, or bottom.  The answer was the front & back.  I talked through a contraction with her.  She couldn’t tell from my voice whether I was in active labor yet.  She told me to send someone to buy Benadryl, so I could try & sleep a little.  My older sister did, and I took two.

It made me drowsy, but I couldn’t sleep.  I wanted Marcus to hold me.  So I woke him up and asked him to come in the bedroom.  I said something about him sleeping forever, and he pointed out that it was only 9am.  I tried lying on my side again and had him to lay behind me & put pressure somewhere.  I didn’t know where; I told him to just do something.  He did his best, and it was nice to have him near me, but it wasn’t helping with the pain. 

A client of mine called & left a message wanting to use our services that morning.  Ha.  I had Marcus call her back to let her know we were in labor & wouldn’t be able to come. 

After a few hours of trying to sleep, Sarah called again, and I told her that I wasn’t able to sleep, and I was now having to make noise to get through the contractions.  From class, I remember that this meant that I was progressing into the transition period of labor.  She told me to take another bath & then walk around.

I dreaded getting in the bath, but I did it.  My sister sat outside my bathroom leaned against the love seat timing my contractions for me.  They slowed a little when I got it but returned to 3-4 minutes apart.  This time I didn’t want to bother with the music.  The silence was peaceful, but the water was still unpleasant, and I only lasted about 4 or 5 contractions.  

Sarah called again, and my sister talked to her.  I don’t remember what was said except for at the end, Sarah asked if I was ready for her to come.  I was still nervous about whether or not I was far enough along, but I replied, “I guess.”  She said she would be on the way. 

to be continued...

(preview of what happens at the end of the story)

From the Eyes of Mama J

This is Marcus's new nickname for my mother.  I actually love it, and I'm considering changing her grandmother name (Grammy) to Mama J. 

I asked my mother to write about her experience at my birth.  But I didn't want another recap; I wanted her to talk about it in relation to her birth history -- 5 natural births & a short stint as a midwife's assistant.  I didn't realize she isn't the biggest fan of writing.  I assumed she would be; she has a degree in elementary education, is an incredible artist & musician, and she wrote several wonderful songs in her younger days.  But she isn't, so it took a little longer than Aunty Glory's story.  But that's okay, I'm still not done with my version for other reasons. 

And without further ado...  My mother... 

"Being with Jewel the days before Isaiah's birth brought it all back to me.  Actually my memories of all 5 pregnancies and births had been surfacing pretty much ever since Jewel's older sister got pregnant over two years ago.  Now more than ever.

My desire to give birth at home began in a small town in Hawaii, when I was not working during my first pregnancy.  Long hours of research on all types of birth led me to this desire.  Only problem: I didn't know any midwives or where I might find one in our area.  I did find a doctor that would do my second birth at home, but he didn't do first births because of the uncertainty whether my pelvic area could pass a baby.  Come on, look at me!  I felt that this doctor was my only choice.  So when the time came, we began with a typical hospital birth.  No disasters--thank God--only the normal hospital experience with intervention:  strange doctors and nurses, an episiotomy (45 min. of stitching), moving from labor bed to gurney to another bed in a near operating room, and then having to go home the next day.  Now I don't mean to be such a whiner.  Even though some of the circumstances surrounding my first baby's birth weren't ideal, the results were outstanding:  a gorgeous, precious baby girl!

After that experience I was sure that I wanted to try for the previously desired home birth.  And so Jewel became my first home birth the next year!

The Friday before Jewel was due (Sat.) I had a regularly scheduled visit to the doctor where he discovered all was well, and the baby's head was engaged.  He was planning to come to the house this time, but he told me not to give birth until Monday (ha, ha) so he could be there because he would be out of town that weekend.  He encouraged me to go to the hospital if I did go into labor while he was away.  Well, I didn't want to be stuck in my ways, but I had been praying about this home birth and except for the absence of a medical attendant, we were well prepared.  My husband was ready with his EMT knowhow on childbirth, and I really had a peace in my heart that we should go for it.  When I was sure I was in labor, we also called my best friend with midwifery training to see if she could leave her post (husband and 3 kids) and come up the mountain to attend this impending birth. 

We were housesitting at our neighbor's house across the street while they were in the mainland.  And a party was gathering:  the neighbors next door, my father-in-law, my sister-in-law and her son.  From what I remember they were all very helpful to make it a positive experience. While labor was moderate, I walked and breathed through the pains trying not to laugh at the jokes being told.  Finally, I retreated to the bedroom.  I'm not sure of the timing but it wasn't long before my water broke and I felt like pushing.  With my best friend, husband and sister-in-law gathered around, we were ready to welcome our new baby.  As I pushed, my husband caught the little one.  She didn't breathe right away.  We massaged her and talked to her.  Then her daddy slapped her bottom the old fashioned way, and she began to wail.  It took us an hour or two to name her: Jewel, as a gem, a precious stone, in the Bible referring to the church of God; and Sandra, after my friend who helped deliver her.

No birth is the same even with the same mother.  And except for the fact that they were both boys, my next two were as different as they come.  We had moved to California when I was 7 months pregnant.  Not the most ideal time to find a doctor or midwife.  But I did.  I saw him on a Wednesday when he told me I had about 2 more weeks.  Then Friday afternoon I phoned him to report that my water had broken.  Due to the great act of breast stimulation, which we began at about 9pm, our first boy was born at 11:35pm.  Two and a half hour labor!  Every mother's dream.

My desire for home birth didn't stop with myself; I wanted to be a midwife too.  So when I was presented with the opportunity to apprentice with a midwife from our community I jumped right in.  After a year I had assisted in 10 births and what a privilege!  Unfortunately I had to resign for I could not be very helpful anymore.  Pregnant again, #4, and with complications.  When I was about 2 months I was feeling a really heavy sensation and soreness in my back and thighs.  I had a prolapse uterus.  I had to stay in bed until 20 weeks.  And since this would have been too dangerous to deliver at home, I found a nurse midwife that would do the birth at the hospital.  It turned out to be a very pleasant experience since the midwife got to stay with me for everything.

We had one more child.  A third daughter.  And yes, she was born at home.  All around she was a miracle baby, but that's another story.

When Jewel told me she was going to have a home birth, naturally I was delighted.  Because she was my first home birth, her decision was all the more special to me.  Throughout the pregnancy, she was good about taking care of her body, eating well etc., she chose competent midwives, and she assured Marcus that all would be well since he was rather nervous about a home birth for his son.

We were expecting Isaiah to be born early since all the other boys in the family were at least 10 days before their due dates.  So beginning at two weeks early, we were well prepared.  It turned out that 6 days was the magic number for Jewel.

The birth day started out perfectly.  Jewel was in steady labor early in the morning.  Her older sister and family arrived from vacation in Florida at about 5am, having driven all night to get here.  Jewel's younger sister and I were commissioned to babysit their baby while mom slept awhile. 

Jewel was in pretty intense labor when we called the midwives, and they showed up about 12:30pm.  As everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the attendants' arrival, Jewel labored on in an amazing fashion.  I was so proud of her as she took control of her breathing and managed each contraction splendidly (at least it appeared that way to us!).  Marcus was right by her side displaying such care and connectedness.  It was really quite moving. 

And when the time was right he caught baby Isaiah with gentle hands and cut the cord in order hold his son at last.

This birth was amazing.   Almost magical.  God certainly had his hand in on it, orchestrating its success.  I thank Him for allowing Jewel and Marcus such a wonderful experience bringing their son into the world."

Isaiah's Birth From the Eyes of Aunty Glory

The early labor pains didn’t start until early Tuesday morning.  I was very excited.  My sister Jewel was going to have her first baby really soon, and I was going to be there when it happened.  This wasn’t going to be a traditional birth. It was going to take place in my sister’s home, carried out by midwives.  Although it may have been controversial, it was exactly what she wanted.

The anticipation grew as we prepared the food and got everything ready for the birth.  It was a good thing we did all the shopping the day before and started preparing while Jewel was still able to.  Turns out we timed it all just right.  Near the end of the day though the contractions weren’t close enough, so we decided to head to bed. 

Mom and I were awakened by my oldest sister and my 21 month old nephew at five that morning.  The family had driven all the way from Florida so they could make it for the birth.  They had been awake the whole way here and needed me and Mom to watch my nephew while they got some rest.  At this point Jewel was out in the living room half-way on the exercise ball and leaning on the couch while she went through the pains and tried to get some sleep when she could.  In the other room I watched cartoons and played with my nephew.

Jewel’s contractions got closer together as the day went on.  Around noon it was time for the midwives to come.  We got all the food laid out.  It looked beautiful, a feast to the eyes as well as the mouth.  As the contractions became more intense, I could tell by her clinched face and her disheartening moans that the time was getting even closer still.  I felt so sad when she was in pain, wishing it didn’t have to hurt so much.  At one point I thought, if only I could carry some of the pain for her... 

During the worst of the contractions, my older sister scolded me and Mom if we were making the slightest amount of noise.  Apparently it bothered Jewel, so I made extra effort to be quiet when Jewel gave the heads up.  It wasn’t until the last stretch of labor that Jewel had her music playing.  She made a special playlist for this very occasion just a few days ahead of time.

Mostly on the ball, then the bed, Jewel did an incredible job dealing with the pain.  It really impressed me.  This was my first birth to witness in it’s entirety.  She didn’t do like most I’ve seen in the movies, screaming, crying uncontrollably, and yelling obscenities to the one who got her pregnant then to the next person that speaks.  No, nothing like that.  It flowed beautifully, even gracefully in a way.  The midwives were there offering guidance as well as comfort and support.  All three of them bearing this motherly and sisterly kindness, something that would be hard to come by in a hospital setting.

I was assigned to be the videographer for the birth.  There was also a professional photographer.  So for around an hour or so before the baby came, I began shooting.  I shot some of Jewel going through her labor pains, and then as it neared the final pushes, I shot long steady clips which will be pieced together at a later date to for, hopefully, a beautiful short video of the birth. 

The birth took place in Jewel’s bedroom.  Marcus (the baby daddy) and Sarah (the Head midwife) were right by Jewel’s side.  Mom and my older sis were on the love-seat.  The other two midwives were here and there taking notes and gathering whatever was needed.  And the photographer and I were in the corner (well she jumped around a lot of course.  But I got to see it all! 

Once the head was coming, I could really feel the excitement in the whole room.  It was thrilling.  Jewel got on her hands and knees so that she could push more easily.  I’d never heard of having a baby that way, but Sarah suggested it.  As soon as she got into that position, it didn’t seem long at all until little Isaiah’s head came into view.  For just a minute or two, there was just his head poking out.  It seemed kinda scary just seeing him like that, with his facial muscles not really moving and him not breathing, but I later  I learned that he was still getting oxygen through the umbilical cord. 

Then all of a sudden, Marcus quickly moved towards the rear, held out his hands, and the baby just slid into his arms.  It was awesome.  And just a few seconds later there was a little cry.  But it wasn’t just baby Isaiah who was crying.  I began to tear up, and I’m sure most of the room did as well.  It was very moving just watching Jewel gaze into her child’s eyes.  It’s so hard to believe that she really did it.  She had a baby!  She gave birth to another life!  Someone who looks like her, has her characteristics, and can offer her love in return.  It’s unbelievable to me.  I’m still coming to this same realization with my other two siblings who have had kids as well.

It was such a wonderful and rewarding experience to be a spectator at such an amazing event.  It literally took my breath away.  I’m still in awe.  Isaiah turned out perfect.  He is so very precious.  And I cannot stress too much how beautiful the whole birth was.  Even though there were some parts that were messy and bloody and unpleasing to the eye, the love that was radiating in that room and the little bundle of joy who finally came into the world captured the attention and clouded out any of those other things.  This was an experience like no other, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As everyone began to turn in for bed at the end of the day and after almost everyone got to cradle the baby and ooh and ahh over him, I finally got to hold him.  With my little nephew in my arms, I kissed him on the cheek and gently rocked him to sleep.  As he slept there in my arms, I thought of how sweet, how tender this moment was.  I’m sure I will probably have many more like this with Isaiah and possibly in the future a precious child of my own.  I will definitely hold onto these memories forever, and I know that this entire day is a day I will never forget.