, no drugs, plenty of grit and determination, Elizabeth delivered her son. She and John were amazingly in sync throughout labor and delivery, even handling the constant re-hooking of the baby monitor and IV with grace. Labor is challenging enough without constantly watching to be sure you don't get tangled up in the machinery monitoring your baby's heartbeat. It was a joy-filled experience to be there for labor and delivery, helping Elizabeth brace and re-position for each push. She gripped my hands so hard I thought they must be broken, then pushed against me again and again, for hours. John and I were on either side, literally guiding Elizabeth so she wouldn't fall off the narrow hospital bed as she moved about. The doctor, midwife and doula came in and out, checking monitors, coaching, massaging, encouraging. The pains continued, harder and faster until Nicholas' head finally emerged, then slippery as a fish, his shoulders, torso, long legs kicking. John and I just looked at each other, standing on either side of Elizabeth, and laughed for sheer happiness. No matter how many times you go through this, it's always a gift from the Lord, this new person emerging into the world. My arms and shoulders would ache for days afterwards. No matter. Nicholas is here!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Nicholas
Born on the Feast of the Annunciation, the day our Blessed Mother discovered she was to be the mother of the Messiah. What a perfect way to celebrate the birth of another firstborn son! Three very tired people: Elizabeth, brand-new son, Nicholas, and her husband, John. After twenty-something hours of labor
, no drugs, plenty of grit and determination, Elizabeth delivered her son. She and John were amazingly in sync throughout labor and delivery, even handling the constant re-hooking of the baby monitor and IV with grace. Labor is challenging enough without constantly watching to be sure you don't get tangled up in the machinery monitoring your baby's heartbeat. It was a joy-filled experience to be there for labor and delivery, helping Elizabeth brace and re-position for each push. She gripped my hands so hard I thought they must be broken, then pushed against me again and again, for hours. John and I were on either side, literally guiding Elizabeth so she wouldn't fall off the narrow hospital bed as she moved about. The doctor, midwife and doula came in and out, checking monitors, coaching, massaging, encouraging. The pains continued, harder and faster until Nicholas' head finally emerged, then slippery as a fish, his shoulders, torso, long legs kicking. John and I just looked at each other, standing on either side of Elizabeth, and laughed for sheer happiness. No matter how many times you go through this, it's always a gift from the Lord, this new person emerging into the world. My arms and shoulders would ache for days afterwards. No matter. Nicholas is here!
, no drugs, plenty of grit and determination, Elizabeth delivered her son. She and John were amazingly in sync throughout labor and delivery, even handling the constant re-hooking of the baby monitor and IV with grace. Labor is challenging enough without constantly watching to be sure you don't get tangled up in the machinery monitoring your baby's heartbeat. It was a joy-filled experience to be there for labor and delivery, helping Elizabeth brace and re-position for each push. She gripped my hands so hard I thought they must be broken, then pushed against me again and again, for hours. John and I were on either side, literally guiding Elizabeth so she wouldn't fall off the narrow hospital bed as she moved about. The doctor, midwife and doula came in and out, checking monitors, coaching, massaging, encouraging. The pains continued, harder and faster until Nicholas' head finally emerged, then slippery as a fish, his shoulders, torso, long legs kicking. John and I just looked at each other, standing on either side of Elizabeth, and laughed for sheer happiness. No matter how many times you go through this, it's always a gift from the Lord, this new person emerging into the world. My arms and shoulders would ache for days afterwards. No matter. Nicholas is here!
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