Birthing

Sitting in a rocking chair, observing the interaction between my adult son & his precious wife while she labors to birth their first child is beyond sweet. Nick is attentive yet not smothering. He is on high alert, mainly due to uncertainty (and a bit wired due to numerous large cups of caffeine). Courtney is stoic, calm in the face of pain and determined to birth her son as naturally as possible.

The hospital room is simple yet equipped with all the paraphernalia modern medicine has deemed necessary for the birth process. Courtney has turned inward, attuned to the rhythm of her own body, concentrating on the process by which she will usher in a new life. Every hour or so, a monitor is placed on her belly so the nurse can determine the status of the baby. Courtney remains focused on the process, working instinctively with each contraction.

They have been at the hospital for 5 hours now and she is dilated to 5. It will likely be a long night..........

As labor progresses muscle cramping in her back becomes unbearable and Courtney asks for an epidural. Restorative rest is now possible so her body can preserve strength for the arduous task which lies ahead: pushing the baby down the birth canal and into our world.


By 5 a.m., complete dilation has occurred and the midwife gives Courtney instruction on how to push. Because of the epidural, Courtney feels no urge to push. Since she cannot feel her contractions, she must be told when to push. (Sam explains it's much like being told to poop in spite of not feeling the need to do so.) The epidural is turned down and Courtney is granted more precious minutes of sleep.

Shortly after 6 a.m., the real work begins. I am dumbstruck as I watch Courtney bearing down, focusing all her energy into a little 4"x4" area of her body. Her expression is one of grim determination. Red faced, veins popping in surprise, oxygen starved, she doggedly bears down for over two hours to the loud, encouragement of her cheering squad chanting, 'harder, harder, harder', 'good job', 'OK, take a breath and again'.

Soon, whirls of dark hair are visible on a tiny surface of scalp. The old adage of 'two steps forward, one step back' applies in this stage of the birthing process. Each contraction propels more of the baby down the birth canal. Once the contraction (coupled with mom's push) is complete, however, the baby stages a little retreat. It is almost as if he is reluctant to leave his warm, life sustaining cocoon.

Baby's head is now ready to birth. Sam instructs Courtney to hold off on pushing while she ensures the umbilical cord is not wrapped around baby's neck nor is his arm(s) laying alongside his ear. Courtney is instructed to give a short push while the midwife guides baby's head out into the world. We have all been instructed to be quiet so Courtney can clearly hear the instructions of Sam. Noises of exclamation involuntarily erupt from us, however, and tears of astonishment and joy begin trailing down our faces. There is no earthly way to contain the absolute wonder of the miracle we are witnessing.

Although we are all happy that Cooper has a head, Courtney still has work to do. She is once again coached to push hard while Sam's hands shake with the effort of helping Courtney dispel the rest of Cooper from her body. While new Grandma Tracy catches Cooper and helps to place him on mom's chest, the rest of Courtney's fan club erupt with cheers of happiness. Courtney sweetly sobs while uttering, 'oh, Cooper, oh Cooper' over and over again, while Nick holds his wife, wiping away his own tears.





I have witnessed one of life's purest, deepest moments.

I, a new grandma, am happily satiated.