Early this morning, I experienced something that I'm not sure I even realize what the effect will be. A new life came into this world. My dear friend warned me before going to bed that tonight may be the night. She began contractions at 8:30pm, and by 1am I was called to her house to witness the birth only 35 minutes later.
Entering a room, where a woman is laboring is quite emotional. She was clearly in the throes of intense labor and was experiencing a lot of pressure, but none of us realized just how soon the baby would come. Her water had not yet broken. Suddenly, with one last scream, out came not just a baby, but the entire sac. This baby was born in the caul, or in the sac. Completely harmless, but very rare. Also, thought to be spiritual and a sign of good luck.
My eyes were blinded by so many tears, but as the designated photographer, I was busy trying to capture these moments as best I could. Still attached and snuggled on mama's tummy, we had not yet looked to see the sex of this new being. Somehow, it didn't even matter.
Older sister was awoken and invited into the room to help identify if she had a baby brother or sister. Still half asleep, and quite overwhelmed, dad helped her to announce,"It's a girl."
I crawled back into bed around 4am, but couldn't fall asleep. The images and thoughts consumed my mind. As I lay in bed, trying to process all that I had just seen, I held onto my own belly and thought about my experience to come in only six months.
Whether I have a homebirth or not, I was forced last night to face the reality that I am having another baby, and all that goes with that. That's a good thing since I haven't felt quite as connected to the idea of pregnancy this time around. Isn't this common with second pregnancies? Now that the nausea has subsided, I can begin to prepare mentally and emotionally for this baby's birth. Not to mention, figure out where I'll deliver.
Thank you, dear friends, for inviting me into this amazing moment for your family.
And, welcome to our world, baby girl.
(Photo taken two weeks later.)
Comments