Our Miracle Baby

My daughter is over two months old and the time has come to tell of our greatest miracle; her birth!
Today Kevin was talking with her and said, "Did you know that you are our miracle baby?" Her blue eyes were watching him as he continued, "There were a few times earlier this year that we thought we had lost you, and then when you had the cord around your neck that was scary too." I reflected back on those early moments in my pregnancy that had us so worried. "But you are here, you are happy, and you are healthy," he finished. It was a good reminder to me of how she really is our "miracle baby".

On July 20, 2015 I was sitting at work helpng with a major file audit. I'd had a backache that was progressively getting worse throughout the day. By lunch it was almost more than I could handle, but I knew that I couldn't go home. I was needed to assist in the audit. As I prayed over my lunch I asked Heavenly Father to help me make it through the day. I explained my situation and that I was doing all I knew how to manage. Shortly after ending my prayer I heard a voice say, "This would be a good time to use those relaxation techniques that you have been practicing." I was surprised by this answer. Those techniques were supposed to be used to help me when I was in labor and my baby wasn't due for 11 more days. Willing to try anything I followed the counsel and allowed my tense and painful back and body to relax. Almost instantly the pain lessened to a very dull back ache. I was able to eat my lunch and then return to work. As the day progressed I would work until I could feel the pain intensify and then I would stop and relax and breath. About 7 pm I realized that I could time the surges (for they were no longer painful contractions) every 5 minutes a part. This was great because I could relax just before the surge would start and practically avoid the pain that threatened to come. Somewhere I had the presence of mind to have Kevin come pick me up so that I wasn't trying to drive through the surges (I figured that having to pull over about every 4 minutes would be a hard way to get home). I finished work about 8 pm and Kevin found a ride to come get me.

On the way home we stopped and bought me some dinner to eat (so glad we did that because I wasn't in a mood to eat the rest of the labor and when all was done I was starving!) and stopped at the store to purchase some snacks (I ate dinner in the car while Kevin did the shopping). Once home we read scriptures and packed a hospital bag. The surges were about every 3 minutes apart now, and I was having trouble walking, so we headed to the hospital. The nurse that we were assigned was an angel in disguise. We had not been able to tell anyone our preference for a natural birth before being ushered into a room. After the exam and being admited, she sat down with us and read over our birth plan. We were overjoyed to learn that she had helped in several natural births and had worked with many HypnoBirthing couples. She was amazing and very supportive. Our next nurse was a similar story, and the third nurse as supportive even though she didn't have much experience with HypnoBirthing. Through the several hours of labor Kevin was always at my side reminding me to relax and breathe. He would read over the scripts we had practiced, as well as making up his own scripts. He told me I was beautiful, that I was made to give birth, and that he loved me. Even though I labored for several hours, I wasn't in pain (except for the added intensity of the back labor), I wasn't afraid, and I really had little concept of time. The moments were peaceful and spiritual in that hospital room.

I had been dilated to 8 cm for several hours without further progression. The nurse and my doctor kept asking if they could release my membranes (break the waters). I knew that once that happened thing could get vey intense. I had been laboring very well up to that point. I prayed after each time they asked and felt like I needed more time. After about 4 hours at 8 cm I felt that it was right for them to release my membranes. I prayed that I would continue to labor well and have the strength I needed. Less than an hour later everthing became very intense and I knew that our baby was trying to come. Our daughter was born in the late morning of July 21. A beautiful, red-haired, perfect little girl. Holding her immediately after birth with Kevin right there with us was a truly beautiful experience. I could feel such love in that room. I could feel a little bit of what heaven feels like. I had felt Heavenly Father and other heavenly influences helping me through the most physically and spiritual intense moment of my life: giving birth. I could feel those same influences surround my little healthy family as we bonded together. It was amazing that I could feel so alive (and starving) after giving birth. Even though we had been up the entire night, Kevin and I were filled with energy to get to know our little girl.

I know that every birth is a miracle. Children are part of the great plan of our Heavenly Father. A plan aptly referred to as "The Plan of Happiness". I am so grateful for the many miracles that I witnessed on the night/day of my daughter's birth. She truly is "our miracle baby".