My First Birth-Coaching (Doula) Experience

If you've noticed that I've been somewhat quiet this week on the blog, you're right! But alas, I have a good reason- on Tuesday I was helping some good friends deliver their first child. Talk about exciting!!!  Those of you who know me well know that I love, love, love child birth, so I was so thankful that the Lord allowed the timing to work out perfectly for me to be by their sides for the whole thing!

Meet Kaylee & Colton!

(This is one of their last photos of baby still being in-utero.)

Now believe me that I could ramble on and on about every detail of Kaylee's labor, but that isn't my story to tell (as many of you mothers know). I will mention a few of the highlights though: Kaylee is the quietest laboring woman... ever! The nurses and doc kept commenting about how they couldn't believe she didn't have an epidural because she wasnt making any noises! Colton, her hubby, did a great job coaching her through the harder parts of labor.  And after 12.5 hours of labor, she was able to deliver her 8 pound 11 ounce baby boy naturally without any interventions or medications in the hospital.  Daddy, Mommy, and baby Collins are all doing good and are now at home.

Cute Baby Collins

One other thing that I can't help but note about this birth experience was how faithful the Lord was in answering so many specific prayers!!  Here are just a few:

• The Lord allowed Kaylee's own doctor (not the one on call) to deliver her baby.
• The Lord provided such sweet and caring nurses on both the day and night shift to care for them.
• The Lord helped her labor through the pain and continued showing His faithfulness, especially His faithfulness to His word (she had memorized several verses relating to labor and children and the Lord's provision).
• The Lord's timing was perfect in providing us a full night's rest before labor began as well as a day where Hugh was working at home so that he could help some with Enoch.
• The Lord provided two good friends to watch my children so that I could be at the hospital for all of her labor and the immediate post-partum period without worrying at all.  
• And most importantly, the Lord provided a safe delivery with a healthy mommy + a healthy baby!

Isn't God good?  We were all so incredibly thankful for His great provision!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

    and your faithfulness by night,

to the music of the lute and the harp,

    to the melody of the lyre.

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;

    at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
(Psalm 92:1-4)