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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

experience of a lifetime: a birth story

I don't know if I'll ever be ready to write this post, as there are really no words to describe the amazing experience of helping with the delivery of my best friend's baby. But I suppose I'll do the best I can.

At one point in her pregnancy I told my best friend Sarah I would be willing to be on "back-up" for her hubby in the delivery room. Ryan is what I like to call a little bit of a wussy when it comes to bodily fluids, and I didn't want her to be alone if he went down. :)

The more we talked about it, the more they were considering having me in the delivery room regardless of how he was doing. On D Day they still hadn't decided so I remained on backup.

Ryan called to have me bring some things they forgot to the hospital. When I got there her contractions had died down a bit so I said I'd stay and keep them company for a while, and instructed them to kick me out whenever they felt the need. Our main topic of conversation was the baby's middle name because they hadn't decided on one yet.

It ended up working out nicely. I went and got lunch for Ryan and ran some errands for them and I stayed with Sarah if Ryan wanted a break. During contractions I would massage her back and rub her legs, and in between I would massage her feet. When contractions got worse I read her some verses over and over that she had printed out for delivery. By the time the nurse came in with the deliver room waiver for Ryan to sign, Sarah wanted me to sign it too.

I was super excited I was going to be a part of this amazing miracle! After that point Sarah wouldn't allow me to leave her. I told her I would go get her camera in the car for when the baby came, and she yelled, "NO DON'T LEAVE ME!" It was nice to feel so needed. :)

We all worked together like it had been planned to a T. Sarah did absolutely great and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I bawled my eyes out. Ryan did amazing as well. I must say I was really surprised he hung in there and did as great as he did.

They still hadn't decided on a middle name when I left that night.

When I came back the next morning I asked if they had decided. Sarah started crying. She told me they couldn't have done it without me. I started crying. I told her they could have. She said that Ryan and her decided to give their baby girl my middle name.

There are no words.

I have a new found respect for my husband. I would get so angry when he was moping around the day after I pushed a baby out of me, saying HE was exhausted. Well let me tell you, it IS exhausting! I took a 4 hour nap the day after Sarah's delivery and it took me a while to recover! There are just so many emotions involved and it really is exhausting for the coach. So remember that ladies before you castrate your husbands when they complain about being tired after delivery. :)


Linked at Shell's.

13 cleansing comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, this had me crying! Very sweet post and what an amazing friend you are!

Kmama said...

What a sweet story. How cool that they gave their baby your middle name. What an honor!

Beth Zimmerman said...

What a beautiful gift you have given and been given! :)

Liz Mays said...

What a wonderfully supportive friend you were at the time when you were most needed!

Chantele said...

Awesome post! What a great experience!!

Following you via PYHO! :)

Vanessa said...

That is so exciting and wonderful! And SO touching that they chose your middle name!!! How sweet!

Nikki said...

That just gave me goose bumps!!! What a beautiful experience for you to have with your BF!!! And I've never really looked at it in the hubs perspective!! There are so many emotions that go along with the whole thing!!!

Tiffany said...

Awww. That was amazing what you did for for your friend and what she has done for you. I am speechless on how wonderful that is she named her little girl with your middle name as her middle name.

Shell said...

I was crying reading this. How amazing to be so close to someone that you could be their for the birth of her child. And what an honor to have her middle name after you.

Thanks for linking up!

Cyndy Bush said...

What a wonderful story! I love that they named the baby after you, what an honor.

Caution/Lisa said...

That is such a sweet, sweet story of true friendship! And, yes, my husband complained mightily after each of our FOUR births.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a special time....even the births of my four grandsons that I got to be a part of and stay the entire labors and deliveries as ENCOURAGER....and even got to cut the cords (their Dads said I was good with scissors from cutting ribbon) have been the most exhausting days of my life...so many emotions...

Unknown said...

Great story! I love your bestie!

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