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Nora

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Early on in my pregnancy I began praying Isaiah 40:28-31 over the labour and birth. Deepa and I memorized the verses together and Wait On You by Maverick City, which is about these verses, played on repeat in our house in the 11 days following our baby’s due date. Even Evelyn was saying “Mama, worship? Alexa! Wait On You!”

On Saturday (10 days after her due date) at around 2pm contractions began! My midwife, Connie, and student, Kinda, came to the house to set up for the home birth and prepped me to have a baby that night.... until labour stalled at 2am. With contractions every ten minutes I couldn’t sleep at all, but knew they were decreasing in intensity and time. Midwives decided to leave and later told me they were now busy at the hospital and it was likely I would have to go to the hospital for an induction. Around 3am Zach prayed with me and reminded me of these verses. I endlessly struggle with not trusting God and trying to control things myself, and I prayed often in those next hours for help to let go of any expectations and to find peace knowing that I am completely powerless to make things go a certain way, but that God isn’t and I can trust Him and wait in His strength.

At 11am on Sunday the midwives came to check me. Little progress had been made and labour was still stalled. They knew how badly I wanted a home birth, but things were not looking good with short staffing on midwives and lots of births. Two other clients that day who had planned home births had to go to the hospital instead. I walked laps around the house and read the verses that I had written out on a paper. Scripture helped me battle my mind that wanted to try to plan out every detail of how things would go and what I could do to make it happen.

Around dinner time, finally, contractions began ramping up again and I could feel that the baby would be coming soon. Midwives were done with their hospital births and said the timing worked out perfectly to be able to come back to the house to re-setup for a home birth. Both grandmas and my two sisters were there to support and help with the kids. If I had had the baby earlier, not everyone would have been able to make it, but by this time all 4 of them were at the house and excited! That was something I had prayed for throughout the pregnancy.

In between contractions I ducked in to kiss the kids good night, and Zach put Evelyn to bed when she was crying after a weird day of Mommy and Daddy being distracted. As soon as he finished I called out to him and asked him to come quick. Transition phase was starting! He climbed into bed beside me and encouraged me as things progressed fast. I had an epidural with Evelyn so didn’t know what it would be like to feel everything. I thought I wouldn’t be a screamer but I was wrong! My body started shaking and I was screaming loud through each contraction. Somehow the kids slept through it!

Our moms and sisters watched from the hall as the time came. Connie and Genevieve told me to push and I started crying that I was too scared. My body pushed instinctively anyways and somehow stopped shaking and yelling to listen to their instructions. When a wave of fear passed over me everything got quiet and I noticed in the background, on the very long playlist I had started earlier, Wait On You by Maverick City was playing. My Nora song! Such an encouragement right when I needed it.

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:30-31‬

One more push as I squeezed onto Zach tight and she was out and in my arms! Nora was here!

Daddy cut the cord, grandmas and aunties came in to admire her and we woke Deepa up to meet her newest sister. She decided Nora wanted to hear the Chicken Wing song 😆🤷‍♀️ so she snuggled in bed beside us and serenaded her.

With no tearing, lots of family help, and being able to sleep in my own bed, recovery has been so good. Deepa continues to sing to her sister and Evelyn could spend all day holding her and counting her fingers and toes. Zach and I still can’t believe we have three girls! And I can’t get over the ways He stretched me and grew my trust and patience through Nora. Such a gift!