Sweet Baby Ada

One of my favorite scriptures is in John 14:26 it reads: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Often times I think of this while preparing to take a test that I have studied less for than I might have in the days before the six children etc. I remind myself that the Holy Ghost can bring the things I have learned to my remembrance. Recently I had a wonderful experience that made me ponder the greatness of this blessing. I suppose I should tell that story first.
Over the years I have had the privilege of attending the births of many babies and sharing the miracle of new life with these sweet babies’ families. I love seeing the wonder on the faces of new fathers, and new bonds forming in families. This is what started me on the path to becoming a midwife. I am however not nearly far enough along in my schooling or experience to deliver a baby on my own. It is hard for me to explain all of my thoughts and feelings about how it came to be that I delivered a baby anyway, but I shall try.
My sweet friend Bronwyn had asked me to be her doula again for the birth of her sixth baby. She had decided after careful consideration to deliver this baby at home with a midwife, the same wonderful midwife that I used for the birth of my last baby. On a lovely Sunday morning a couple weeks ago she called to put me on notice that she thought this would be the day, and a few hours later they were ready for me to come over. My daughter, Johanna was also going to attend and help with the younger Judd children if necessary. We began to get things together, when I got the distinct impression that we needed to hurry and with this in mind I hustled us out the door.
Bronwyn was laboring nicely when I got there, although her contractions were fairly spaced. I suggested that she do stair lunges during her contractions, and it was during the first stair lunge that I realized we didn’t have much time. I silently mouthed to her husband to call the midwife, and then had Johanna page her as well. Shortly thereafter Bronwyn sought comfort in the warm water of the birth tub. As it became apparent that the midwife was not going to make it, I thought and I believe said to Bronwyn “It’s going to be okay”. About this time I started to feel strongly the impressions of the Holy Ghost. I remember very little about the other things going on in the room because I was so focused on the still small voice in my head. Johanna even left room and missed the birth which I didn’t know until later. All I heard was the comforting instructions; counter pressure… check for cord… remove cord,… rotate slightly,…. bring her up out of the water,… then gentle massage, and suction. It makes me all emotional writing this, thinking about it. Truly the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance, but he can also teach us things when they are needed, even things that we have never done before.
After the midwife arrived I had to sit down and collect myself a little, and I admit to having a hard time sleeping that night, as I pondered the experience.
I am grateful for opportunity to learn from parents who make choices that they feel are right. While many would call it crazy to choose a homebirth, I believe it takes courage to choose your own path in spite of opposition. I am sure that some readers may think that it is rather lucky that nothing bad happened. I do not believe it was luck, but rather the blessings of a Heavenly Father who can and will answer the question of where to birth just as he will answer every other question that we have in life. He who notices the sparrows fall certainly has a plan for the birth of his precious children, and this inspiration may change with each birth. I am so thankful for the opportunity to deliver sweet baby Ada be taught a little more myself.