birth plans...

photo:  Dance...of a new life

I got a phone call yesterday.

My CNW (certified nurse midwife) was on the other line.

"Umm, Joye, I know we scheduled your induction for Friday morning, but, well, we have some ladies that really need to be induced for serious medical reasons and we're going to have to re-schedule you for Monday."

Monday?  Monday!?  I wanted to scream that my fat, swollen feet, hot flashes, dislocated tail bone, and a suspected eight pounds and still growing baby were medical emergencies!  But instead I mumbled a "Yes, okay, I understand."
"That's all?", the voice on the other end was incredulous, "You're not going to curse me out?  Most mammas do, you know."

Oh, I certainly felt like venting.  The disappoint was keen and I could feel the water faucets turning on, the dreaded pregnancy dam about to burst.  Don't get me wrong-- I am thankful that I am not considered a medical emergency and  I am especially thankful that my baby is perfectly healthy.  But... (sigh).  I'm tired.  My mother just flew in on Monday expecting a baby to already be here.  Five days later--still no baby and she's flying out in nine days.  We're both exhausted from chasing my three little monkeys around and I'm getting a little desperate.

I actually surprised myself this time by even considering an induction.  Me, the all natural, let nature take it's course with as little intervention as possible, birth enthusiast.  I even drew up a "natural birth plan" (want one?  visit here) for all my pregnancies, had my doctor and nurses sign them and left them on file at the nurse's station.  Just in case.  But really, how can you plan something as beautiful and spontaneous as birth?  God is ultimately in control (preachin' to myself here).  And I really prefer Him to be in control, anyway.  I was blessed to experience two amazing natural births--the birth of my first born and the birth of my twins.  I do know that that is not always possible, though, and I am in no way trying to guilt trip anyone out there that didn't go that route.

For those of you, however, who may be contemplating a natural birth, know that you won't regret it.  It's truly an incredible experience  (not pain free, people, but incredible no less).  And for those of you who may have wished for a natural birth but were unable to do so, know that you are no less of a woman!  You labored with love and gave birth to another amazing little person fashioned by the hand of God.

I remember during my first pregnancy poring through the scriptures and taking in everything I could about childbirth.  One of my favorite scriptures was in Psalms and I memorized it and recalled it during my labor pains.

"From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you."  Psalm 71: 6

 I personalized this scripture and put my baby's name in it so that it read,  "From birth _____ has relied on you; you brought ______ forth from [his] mother's womb.  ______ will ever praise you."


It was such a beautiful reminder to me that it is God who brings my baby into this world.  His hand is on me.  He is my deliverer.
And I needed that reminder today.