I have talked a lot about my bestie on this blog. Some of you might remember that she got married last January to an amazing guy. So when she told me last summer that she was expecting, I was ecstatic!
When I came to the realization that, and consequently decided I was ok with the thought that, I might never have a baby naturally, I realized how much I wanted to experience pregnancy and the whole birth process. While I may never feel a baby kick me from the inside or watch my stomach grow and change and shift over a matter of 9 months, there are still parts of the process that I can be a part of.
After stating this desire to a couple of good friends, one of them suggested I ask my bestie if I could be in the room with her when she delivered. Me, being the somewhat shy person that I am, was nervous to ask someone that question. But, my friend kept encouraging me, telling me that the worst she could do was say no...and that would be fine.
So, I got up the nerve to ask her...and after talking with her hubby, they said yes!
So for the past couple of months, I have been praying and preparing myself as much as possible for this day. I knew it was going to be an awesome experience I would never forget, but I never realized just how incredibly life-changing it was going to be.
When I got the call early on Monday morning from her husband that it was definitely go-time, I got so excited and could barely sit still. Two of our other friends were going to be in the room as well, and I was really excited to share this experience with them (I later found out that it was all of our first times watching a birth).
We did a lot of walking and resting in the beginning of the day. We prayed over my friend and continued to pray throughout the day as things progressed. When things really started to pick up, I definitely got a better picture of what childbirth is all about.
I will say, watching my friend endure that much pain was really hard for me. I knew going in that it was going to be tough to witness that part, but I had no idea how tough. I tried really hard to hold back the tears because I wanted to be strong for her. I wanted to be the good support that she needed. One of my amazing friends that was in the room spoke such incredible, encouraging words to her and I realized in that moment that each and every one of us had a beautiful role and part to play in that delivery room. I may not have been able to express the encouragement that I wanted to say every time, but I did get a few good pictures after her son was born...and I know she greatly appreciated that. And I think the fact that we were in there to support her was a great encouragement as well.
When it came time to push, everything happened so fast. She was ready, her son was ready to make his entrance, and we were ready to meet him. The three of us ladies stood at her side and watched her son emerge into this world, tears streaming down our faces. It was the most incredible thing I've ever witnessed. I had watched a birth video beforehand to kind of prepare myself, but there is something so different about watching someone you love go through the pain and labor of bringing another person into this world.
I hugged one of my friends as we stood there crying tears of joy. I know we were all praising God for this beautiful new life and for the incredible strength of our friend. I am still in awe just thinking about it. In that moment, my life changed forever. To see how God knit our bodies together perfectly to be able to create life and then bring life into this world...mind blowing.
I couldn't take my eyes off that precious little boy...all 10lbs. 5oz. and 22 inches of him. He was just so perfect and beautiful. I followed the nurse over when she cleaned him up so I could take pictures of him. It was hard to believe in that moment that he had been living inside my friend for 9 months...growing and getting stronger each and every day. I had felt him kick her, I had felt the hardness of her stomach during a contraction...but all of that was nothing compared to seeing him enter this world and to see him in person. It was all so surreal and beautiful.
In spite of the immense pain my friend went through, her hard contractions were short-lived and her son came very fast. And watching it didn't turn me off to having babies or going through labor...it encouraged me that if I am ever able to enjoy that sweet gift, I can do it. I can handle it because my body was made to go through pregnancy and labor.
Her husband was an amazing rock and support for her. This being his first child, I didn't know what to expect. I know some guys don't handle blood so well or get grossed out. He was incredible. He stayed by her side during each contraction and he stayed right there next to her as their son entered into this world. It was such a beautiful picture to me of what a marriage should look like. That in spite of the painful things you may have to endure together, it's worth it to just stick by each other through it all. I am so thankful my beautiful friend found such an amazing man to spend the rest of her life with.
I definitely went home and crashed soon after, as I had been up for 33 hours straight (minus a cat nap here and there)...but it was worth every minute of it. It is something I would love to be a part of again. And it's a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.
God is so good.
