adamandevemidwifery

Birth never exactly goes as you would imagine. It strengthens you, it amazes you and it empowers you. My birth with Israel was something wonderful, yet was one of the most hardest things I have ever done. It was 10 1/2 hours of hard back labor.

We checked for heart tones during labor , just to make sure that things were ok. Contractions started at 2 am and continued strong all night and into the next day. They really did not give me much of a break, and I stood for most of my labor trying to keep the baby moving down.

My husband and best friend in the whole world was my support as well as my apprentice assistant, Joann. Both of them were wonderful and did such a good job helping me relax and work through all of the back wrenching contractions. As I cried out to the Lord to help me , to give me strength, and to deliver this child to us , I had prayer support from David, Joann, and my wonderful spiritual mother, Joy. She sat right behind me the whole time never making a sound and praying through every minute of labor for us. What a saint.

We worked on a birth dance , swaying my hips back and forth to ease the pain. It actually felt good. I would wrap my arms around David's neck and hug him, as my hips slowly swayed back and forth sitting into each contraction a bit. He is my man of strength!

As the contractions came one after another, I had to have help standing up. It was so nice to know that I had such good labor support.

I was working hard and pushing for so many hours to bring this baby down, my legs were purple.

I decided to lay in bed for a little bit. It was intense and my whole body was shaking. I could really feel the baby moving down as I laid there.

My water sack came out in a orange size bubble. I actually got to reach down and pop it. It was an amazing relief ! It was the first time I had ever got to do this.

It was bizaar to sleep, relax and just be still for a second or two between contractions.Time stood still, it seemed. There was such a tranquil spirit in the room. I felt the presence of the Lord with us as His Spirit ministered to each one there . It was beautiful. The music played and I melted into it not paying any attention to anyone else or anything else in the room.

I had to get up again because the baby was moving down and it was intense. My wonderful husband was so supportive. The baby was in my back the whole time, and David and Joann were terrific applying pressure right where I needed it.(even if the spot changed. )

Sometimes it seemed like all the work I had been doing was not making any progress. I felt hopeless and sometimes my flesh was so weak. I could still feel the Holy Spirit around me leading me on, carrying me and doing the work for me.

When I had nothing to give and was exhausted,and more contractions came I was encouraged that I could still do it. It was empowering.I never wanted to give up, I just needed to be lifted up. That came to me through prayer and words of encouragement.

All of our children were in the room watching as we worked as a team . They listened to Daddy and Joann coach me through the contractions, and watched Gramma Joy pray . No one made a peep, and I forgot they were all there as I stayed in my peaceful place in my head. I melted into the music, the Spirit, and into my baby working hard with my body.

I tried changing positions several times to help make room for the baby to come down. It seemed like forever that I was working, pushing and waiting for "her" to be born.

I had a goal that I wanted to catch my own baby this time. But my back labor was too inhibiting, and I was not able to get comfortable enough to do much of anything but do a semi- squat/ standing position. I wanted to watch the baby be born too. But , much like my other births, I focus so hard inward that I don't open my eyes the whole time.

I did not want to lay down again. It was too painful. So, I stood up and continued to push the baby out. It felt so good to work with the contractions and rise above the pain and bear down and ride them out.I could feel the baby making its way through my pelvic bones. The baby would move down, and then go up a bit to change into a better position for the next contraction. I could feel the bones of the baby's head being compressed against my hip bones as my pubic bone felt like it was going to be torn in two. I actually felt the enormous mass of the head pushing me aside,making room on its own to be born. All my muscles burned, and I realized that the only way to make it get better was to push harder.To push was painful, but once I made a mental note that it was going to hurt no matter what- I pushed harder and it felt GOOD. My body was working hard, and I was feeling the power to follow its leading. Joann applied hot compresses and I said "keep them coming". They made focusing on how and where to push easier. I love compresses.

I could feel the baby's head crown. I knew enough to not push at that point, so I didn't. The head came out, and then we worked out the shoulders. There was no cord around the neck when Joann checked. The baby was pink and wide eyed, looking around. I pushed again, and out came baby.

David was working hard holding me up, and I really needed him to be in my face talking to me, coaching me and praying for me. So, when Joann asked him to come and catch I said "No- You do it ! " She was a bit shocked, and scared. This was going to be her first. ( you never forget your first and who better to learn from than from your teacher?) She did a wonderful job ! She handed the baby right to me and I could feel the parts in my hand as I grabbed onto the floppy body. I screamed "AHHH- you're not going to believe this !!! It's a boy !! " I had thought all along I was having a girl... hahahahahaha. What joy ! There were no words to explain the love of God I felt at that moment. I was so happy he was a "he"! It was the best gift of all. I was surprised and in awe all at once that the Lord kept this a secret from me until this very moment.

I got to suction out my baby. I love that. To be the one who is holding a new life as it takes its first breath. What a sensation. They look at you with such wide eyes and give you a look of "hello- that's who you are !" God is so good.

What an incredible feeling to give birth. You have struggled for a few month now to breath so deeply, and now your lungs have the room they craved for so long. Just as much as the little lungs before you are craving air to stretch in the new surroundings. So much , so fast ! So pink !

Israel did not really need to be suctioned out that much, but I wanted to get the "ick" out of his throat. He was perfect, and wonderful and what a surprise !!

We waited until the cord stopped pulsating and then Joann clamped it for us. Daddy got to cut it, and then the baby was free to come up close to us. His cord was so short that he had to stay between my legs attached to the placenta. I love the view of his little face as he watches what we are doing. He was just watching us as if he had been here the whole time. As everyone looked at him, he made note to see each person's face and observe what they were doing. So perfect and so alert.

I love the picture with Joann in the corner . She is crying , and in awe of the blessing we are adoring. She got to catch her first baby and feels that amazing power of " I can do anything ! I just caught a baby !" You never forget that either. How could you take something like this for granted ? Life is too precious to miss one second .

The only sunshine in the room was beaming in right on our new blessing. It was beautiful, like the Lord was smiling on us as we stared at our new arrival.

The baby was pink even before he was born, and stayed that way. He was perfect. So perfect.

Joann did a wonderful job catching and coaching. David did an amazing job yet again being my strength, my protector, and my breath when I could not do it myself. When I got lost in the pain, he would breath for me, and I could find myself again and catch up to where I needed to be. We are truly one. He is every bit that example the Lord speaks of when he says that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. He gives totally 110% unselfishly every day of his life. I love my husband.

Look , here he is .... what an amazing sight. The Lord blessed us with a boy !! Baby number seven. A perfect pregnancy, a perfect birth , and a perfect baby ! A boy !

As soon as the baby was born, my spiritual Dad , Dennis , was up the stairs at lightening speed. He so patiently waited downstairs praying and entertaining the boys when my labor was not yet ready to bring forth a baby any time soon, according to big brothers. Dennis was there immediately after Israel was born, and I called him into the room to share in our moment. There was not a dry eye in the room. We all got to stare and adore the blessing that the Lord brought forth.

We let Grampa Dennis weigh the baby. He topped the scales at a whopping 9 pounds 2 ounces !!! I guess not too bad for 10 1/2 hours of back labor, eh ?

We got all snuggled into bed and just kept staring and tearing up as we looked at our perfect angel. After 6 years of waiting for another baby , he was finally here ! We decided that we do good work as a team and all our efforts were well worth it.

How could anyone not love a face as adorable as this one ? He is so alert and so bright eyed . He did not miss anything that was going on, or a face in the room. He looked at each set of eyes that stared at him. He even cooed and had a few things to say to us ,as he smiled from inside his blankets.

Here is the proud new spiritual grandparents. They did such a great job covering us with prayer during the whole pregnancy and delivery. We love you guys so much. Thank you for all your love and support.

Here is our little blessing as he relaxes in the herbal bath after he was born. He just stretched out and opened his eyes and cooed to me.

He was so content. I did not want to get out, but I was looking forward to getting back into bed and relaxing myself. My back was so sore from the baby pressing on it. It had been a very long night and day. I wanted to get under the blankets and lock my eyes on our amazing baby. That was undescribable to sum up in just only a few words. It had been a long time since I got to hold a new baby to my breast and I wanted to cherish every new second with him. He was warm, soft and he was all ours . Finally- he was here.

We thank the Lord for all He has done in our lives. Israel's pregnancy and delivery to us was a blessing , and a lesson in faith for us. God has taught us so much with this that if I had hours, I could not tell you it all. But just know that the Lord does hear your heart, and He answers your cries. What an awesome God we serve.

We would like to also thank our very dear friend, Kristen Russell for capturing these precious moments on digital camera. The photos are priceless, and will last a life time.

Piczo