I was only 38 weeks along. I had completely given up on having the baby early and settled on the fact that God willing come February (I was looking far ahead) I would be holding a baby. So on New Year’s Eve when the contractions started I had no idea what was about to happen. I had been really sick for hours. I spent the whole day in bed or in the bathroom. My poor husband had to deal with lots of a mess. But he’s so good about taking care of me when I’m sick. I really thought I had eaten something bad. Then at around 10pm it happened. I started having contractions. I just ignored them the best I could while I went on watching movies in bed. The New Year came in and hubby came and gave me a kiss, then I went to bed. I woke up at around 3am in serious pain. I tried to go back to sleep but the pain was really getting to me. I managed to get a little sleep in between contractions, and around 9am I was shaking my husband letting him know something was seriously going on. I asked him to help me get in the tub, at which point he insisted on timing my contractions. I had given up on timing them so I told him I didn’t want to know how far apart they were. So he timed them and I sat in the tub trying not to get my hopes up. After about an hour with nothing getting better, I called the doctor and insisted they let me come in.
I tied on my headcovering before leaving for the hospital and I felt a certain strength come about me. It was the first time I would be covering outside of my home. I didn’t realize how much it would be a blessing. We left for the hospital and at this point I couldn’t walk or talk through my contractions. When we arrived at the hospital it seemed like no one believed that I was actually going to have my baby, but I just left it up to YHVH.
Throughout my whole labor and delivery I prayed. I prayed for my labor to progress, to be able to relax through my contractions, for the health of my baby, and anything else that came up. I felt so unbelievably close to YHVH. It was like He was there with me holding my hand through it all. When I thought I couldn’t go on I was able to call on His strength. Only in His strength was I able to labor naturally up until I reached 10cm and it was time to push. I got an epidural at the last possible minute but my doctor turned it off before it could take full effect. About an hour later our second daughter was born. This birth was so different from my first. I felt so close to YHVH, I felt so much peace and comfort from my heavenly Father. I felt so incredibly loved. I truly believe that is the power of following Him. When we really seek YHVH, He is faithful to show us love, and mercy.
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." -Isaiah 40:31
