We read: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die..." Eccl. 3:1-2.
The most interesting time of our pregnancy began before the birth. We knew the approximate date established by the women's doctor, but no one could tell us when everything would happen. We were warned that contractions could begin at any time, so we shouldn't plan distant travels.
Once I worked with a man who was born aboard an airliner. He was assigned lifetime right to use free flight services of this airline, but he didn't plan to fly anywhere and had a very negative attitude toward this type of transport. My wife and I discussed this prospect too, but then decided not to tempt the Lord and not risk the life of mother and child.
I immediately told my wife that if during birth there arose a choice of life and death between her and the baby, I would choose her. Although this was my firm position, I didn't want to lose the child either. Therefore we prayed according to promises and asked the Lord to bless the time of birth and provide everything in the best way.
I agreed with neighbors that they would take my spouse to the maternity hospital if I wouldn't be home during contractions. Then we found a list of nearest taxis, if the neighbors wouldn't be home either. And as a last resort we were advised to call an ambulance.
My wife's condition inspired optimism. Toxicosis hadn't manifested for a long time, but there were problems with sleep and the toilet. My spouse only dreamed that someone would support her belly when she walked somewhere. And she very much wanted to lie on the bed face up and fall asleep in that position. But there were certain circumstances under which this dream could not be fulfilled.
The appointed dates passed, and some people advised us to do a cesarean section, but we decided to give birth naturally, since this strengthened the baby's immune system, although it caused pain to the woman in labor.
And then came that very interesting day, which was no different from others. During usual shopping at the store the cashier asked my wife when she would give birth. Answering, my wife joked that today. This was Friday. Upon arriving home we sat down to dinner, and then planned to go for a walk. Suddenly my spouse announced that her water was breaking. I got scared and decided that labor had begun, and started running around the house, gathering all the towels. We took the pre-prepared bag and went to the maternity hospital. Although I was in a great hurry, I decided to drive according to the rules so as not to create an emergency situation.
At the maternity hospital we were calmly received and told not to worry, since the cervix wasn't completely open yet, and although birth would happen soon, not right now. My wife was taken to a ward where there were three other women in labor waiting for their hour. I sat by my spouse's bed for a while and, so as not to interfere and embarrass other women, went to the waiting room next to the ward. There I prayed for protection for my wife and fell asleep right on the chairs. Early in the morning my beloved came and, seeing that I had awakened, began to complain to me about her well-being and that contractions were beginning, which caused severe pain, plus some other delicate things had emerged that caused discomfort. The doctors did what they could, and then threw up their hands and said we had to wait, supposedly everything would pass after birth. They could speed up this process, but without our request they offered nothing and undertook nothing. And we didn't know that we could ask. So Saturday passed. Although we were at peace, my wife's belly pains intensified, but labor still didn't begin. I asked the doctors about whether this process could be accelerated. To which they answered positively and, having received my consent, took my wife and took her to the ward, dressed her in special clothes, washed her inside and put in an IV.
I sat next to the bed on a chair and observed what was happening. My wife began having contractions, during which she moaned loudly, and then the moan turned into a cry. By the doctors' reaction I understood that this was a normal process, and quietly stroked my spouse's hand. In the break between contractions she asked for water, and the nurse brought us a thermos with mint tea and a jar with sugar. I gave my wife drinks, and when her next contractions began, I drank this tea myself and observed the events. During another pause the nurse asked me if I wanted to eat a sandwich, since it was their dinnertime, to which I declined, since I considered this completely improper.
And then the contractions became so frequent that my wife screamed without stopping. Although we were taught not to make unnecessary noise during birth, my spouse couldn't contain these cries and could no longer control anything. I also couldn't help in any way and quietly prayed, remembering the promise from Gen.3:16, that in sorrow you will bring forth children. Suddenly many doctors appeared, and they began to busily fuss around my wife's legs. Then I too perked up, got out my camera and began filming everything from the side of my wife's head, trying not to miss anything. It was so interesting to observe the appearance of a new person in the world!
And here this miracle of blue color of female gender lies at her mother's feet and gives her piercing protest to this world in the form of desperate crying. All this is so amazing! The doctors clamped the child's umbilical cord and cut it above the clip. And then the nurse took our daughter in her arms and carried her to wash. I ran up to her and asked to give me my child, saying I would wash her myself. She agreed and handed me this God's gift, showing how to properly hold by the shoulder during bathing so that the little head would lie on my arm. I began to wash my treasure and tried to understand whom she looked like more.
Meanwhile the doctors waited for the continuation of contractions so the placenta would come out. I calmly washed my daughter and told her that I was her dad, that Jesus loved her, that everything was wonderful. I told her not to be afraid of anything. And she quietly blinked her eyes and attentively listened to me. Apparently she recognized my voice and tried to match the image with imagination.
When the birth was over, the doctors said that everything was in order, the placenta turned out to be undamaged. They washed and changed my spouse, who lay on the bed in exhaustion. I asked to take a group photo for memory and, thanking them for everything, wished them God's blessings.
Finally my wife came to herself and asked to give her the daughter. Taking her in her arms, she broke into a smile and no longer wanted to let this treasure go. I only heard: "How small she is! What little hands! What little ears! What little eyes!" In one word, a miracle of God's creativity from our material.
The nurse said for my wife to bring the child to her breast, and this little person already perfectly knew what to do, and began to frantically suck the breast, trying to squeeze something out of there. I marveled at those instincts that had already come into force from the moment of birth. Although my wife didn't have milk yet, colostrum came from the breast, which is very important for the newborn as the first portion of natural immunity. After an hour of life the child fell fast asleep in mom's arms, and we were taken to the ward. I went home to finish the Sabbath day and thanked God for everything, rejoicing in the work of His hands, that everything was very good.
Questions for Reflection
Please read Gen.3:16; 4:1-2; John.16:21; Is.9:6; 21:3; 26:17; 45:10; 66:9; Jer.49:24; Gal.4:4-5; Ruth 4:13; Matt.1:24-25; Heb.11:11 in light of this lesson. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind? What useful thing did you learn for yourself? Is it possible to give birth on Sabbath? Is this not a violation of God's commandment? Will the husband's presence during birth be support for the wife? Do you think the first minutes of contact with his parents affect the child's further life? Why do some women have births that pass quickly and painlessly, while others experience birth pangs? Do you know such people who, while expecting birth, were afraid that nothing would work out for them? How can such people be helped? Why has the miracle of human birth become an ordinary phenomenon for us and doesn't even surprise us anymore? Is the appearance of their child a special event for father and mother? What should be done if one wants to have children in marriage, but something isn't working out? Why are sick children born to healthy parents? What should husband and wife know about birth? Is it possible and would it be right to give birth at home?