Labor Scars

The Christmas holiday in 2019 came to an end. Visiting family members expressed their final farewells leaving a sick hubby and 9 month pregnant wifey in a quiet home. Hubby looked at his wifey and said "I need rest and you need someone by your side". The solution oriented hubby left the house for a brief moment to return with his wifey's sister as extra support for her. What a wise decision as their lives were about to change. Around 3am the next morning (day one, December 29) wifey was awaken by contractions. It was a few moments of cramp-like tension which subsided allowing her to rest until the next. This continued throughout the morning. Wifey's sister stayed by her side. She massaged her back, kept her hydrated, timed the length of her contractions and how frequent they were coming. 

Calls to their midwife provided guidance on which steps to take next. Wifey was first instructed to take a shower and eat a high caloric meal. "You will need the energy", shared the midwife. Showering helped to slow down the contractions providing a moment of relief. Wifey enjoyed her Waffle House breakfast, labor tea and rested whenever she could. The day passed by the couple. Nothing eventful happened until later that evening when contractions started to pick up. Their midwife knew they lived about 45 minutes from the birthing center and asked them to come in. Hospital bags had been packed and ready in the car since the beginning of the month so it wasn't much left to do except pack snacks, water, the birthing ball, a pillow and await the arrival of their third laboring partner - Hubby's sister. 

As Hubby's sister made her way to their house, wifey remembered a few of her labor confessions - I will labor at home as long as possible. My water will break before we leave to go to the birthing center. With this in mind she got to work. Turning the lights down low, she sat on her birthing ball then began to pray. As her worship music played in the background her body and mind felt at peace which ceased her feelings of anticipation and concern. This elevated her excitement to soon meet her baby girl. Making a quick decision she sat on the floor to stretch before leaving the house. She had only been stretching for a few seconds before Hubby entered the room. As he sat with her, she immediately looked at him in awe saying "I think... my water... just broke... I think it's still breaking!" It was officially time leave.

The car ride into the city was no joy ride. Feeling every bump in the road plus every turn was no joke for Wifey. The conversation in the car consisted of:

Wifey begging - "Baby, please slow down" Hubby proclaiming "I'm not even going the speed limit"

Arriving at the birthing center felt like a relief. Their baby girl should be arriving soon - at least they hoped! Unfortunately, things didn't take off the way the couple expected. WIfey was only 2 centimeters dilated. With disappointment they were sent home to labor more. Thankfully their parent's lived much closer to the birthing center, giving them the opportunity to labor there instead of driving 45 minutes back to their home. Looking on the bright side, they took this as extra resting time for Hubby. He still needed to fight off his flu like symptoms. 

Day 2 (December 30th) was a pretty slow day. It was important to Wifey that Hubby didn't miss laboring with her. She decided to rest when he did and move around when she felt she needed to. They took a walk and climbed the stairs multiple times in hopes to keep labor moving forward. About mid-day they were asked to come back to the birthing center. Their midwives were cognizant of the 24-hour window they were in since Wifey’s water broke. This visit provided a bit more hope that baby girl would be arriving soon. The couple were asked to stay at the center to labor with hopes things would pick up. Wifey was given a smoothie with castor oil, sadly she couldn't hold down. Her body felt incredibly weak. It was hard for her to muster up the strength to move around. When checked after a few hours passed, Wifey was only 3 centimeters dilated. They were sent home again. This time with instructions to eat scrambled eggs cooked in castor oil and toast which she couldn't do. The smell alone made her sick to her stomach. 

At this point day two was near the end; still no baby and still no real progress in labor. Hubby's sister began reading the couples labor confessions along with specific scriptures. Wifey gathered every bit of strength she had and started moving. They started off with squats. Whenever a contraction hit they would pause, breathe then jump right back in. Wifey's team cheered her on with each squat and each scripture. You've got this champ is a saying that got her through this journey! Next Hubby's sister suggested nipple stimulation. With this the intensity of her contractions increased while the frequency came closer. It was time to head back to the center once again.  Everyone hoped much process was made yet they were greeted with more disappointing news. Wifey was only 4 centimeters dilated. And even worse they were told -we noticed the baby's heart rate continues to drop during contractions. Lay here in this one position as we monitor a bit further. Wifey completing zoned out didn't even think about what that meant. Though she knew the center had very little equipment to monitor her baby, she believed all was well. She was shocked to hear the ambulance was headed to pick them up. 

Transfering was a long, overly drawn-out process. Wifey was greeted by the hospital staff with a stack of papers to sign in order to be admitted and treated. She was confined to a hospital bed which she absolutely despised. No longer able to manage contractions her way trapped her mind leaving her in a place of fear and pain. Thankfully she was not alone. At her lowest moment mentally Hubby held his wife and reminded her of who God is, was and is to come!  Speaking with authority and truth returned peace to Wifey's heart. Time steadily passed with not much news from the midwife nor hospital staff. In a moment of silence, Wifey thought to herself "if things aren't progressing, maybe it's time to call for a c-section". It's almost as though Hubby knew the exact thoughts that ran through his wife's mind. Seconds later he asked her if she felt comfortable moving forward with a c-section, she quickly responded with a soft "yes". 

As she closed her eyes she scanned her scattered mind. She thought her decision was a sign of weakness. She felt like she let herself and Hubby down. Then thoughts of her precious baby girl started. Overwhelming questions ran through her mind such as, what does it mean if my baby's heart rate is dropping and is my baby okay. Suddenly a sweet subtle voice, that of her sister-in-love, spoke these few powerful words "God is with you". Wifey unable to exchange words simply nodded her head in agreeance and remained silent. This time with a quiet mind. At this moment God reminded Wifey of His peace that surpasses all understanding. In all of a moment He silenced her fear. 

Before Wifey knew it, her husband had returned to the room along with their midwife and an anesthesiologist. Things moved quickly yet Wifey never felt overburdened. Their anesthesiologist was beyond great. She walked Wifey through the process of receiving an epidural; what she would feel, what to do and assured her all will be okay. As Wifey received her epidural, Hubby stood right in front of her holding her hands. She felt safe and protected. When she entered the operating room she went to another place mentally, a place of worship. Before she knew it she heard the doctor say"time of birth 6:14am!" Joelle Adele entered the world on December 31st. She was bright eyed and absolutely perfect! 

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This is my birth story simply told. When the doctor pulled Joelle out of my belly he mentioned how the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, twice! Plus there was meconium in my amniotic fluid. No wonder my labor didn't progress much. My precious baby was under a lot of stress. I am grateful for God's provision not just over my life but also hers. His supernatural peace and protection throughout my labor and delivery was simply a blessed assurance. I will always carry this story in my heart, my mind and also on my body. I have a labor scar from bringing my beautiful baby girl into this world. It's a scar I will always cherish.