Mandi's labor/Sawyer's birth was the most beautiful experience I have ever been a part of. It was a dream come true for me. I have been thinking about the experience and appreciating it more and more.
I thought the best part would be seeing Sawyer, but it wasn't. It was incredible, but not my favorite part. Remembering Sawyer's first breath brings tears to my eyes, but there was another moment that sends shivers down my spine and takes my breath away.
Before this experience I thought laboring women were amazing. I still do, but I have come to believe that husbands/support persons are pretty incredible as well (not quite like mothers though). I feel as though we (Kevin and I) went through labor as well - we just had a less painful role to play.
My favorite moment in the entire labor, delivery, and post-partum period was about 30 minutes into Mandi's contractions when it was just Kevin, Mandi and me. The room was dark, but for the bit of light, coming through the little window in the door, that faded before it reached the bed. We were huddled around Mandi - I was lying in bed with her and Kevin was sitting facing her. Contractions were coming about 3 minutes apart with increasing intensity and we worked through each one together.
Mandi's contractions consumed each of us and we focused on getting through them together. We were a team, working as one; we each knew our part and played it well. We trusted each other and adapted as needed to manage each contraction. We intuitively worked our way through something that we had never experienced.
The three of us were locked in an intimate moment. We were calm and focused and, in that moment, nothing existed but the three of us.
It was beautiful.
It was the most raw experience I have ever been a part of. Each of us were vulnerable and uncertain, but we were all confident in each other, trusting in Mandi's body, and relying on God.
And it was beautiful.
It is that moment, the three of us nestled in the dark room laboring together, that moment touches my heart and moves me to tears.
2 comments:
Ah this takes me right back...
Jordan was an amazing support, I saw a different side of my husband the day I had amy. It was amazing!
Just wait until you do it yourself! Giving birth is definitely the most amazing experience of my life. People think I'm strange when I say it, but really - I can't wait to do it again. It is definitely unparalleled in its magnitude.
Being on that side of things sounds really interesting as well - maybe someday I will be in that position, too. I'd love that. I'm so glad you are getting to participate that closely! It sounds like you would be/are a great doula. And maybe even a midwife someday...? God bless 'em, the world needs more midwives. You would be GREAT.
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