I thought this was pretty creative, so I thought Id share, its kinda long, so thanks to you guys interested enough to read it all! 
I will always treasure this!
Myra’s Birth Story
(as told by her Mommy & Daddy’s Doula, Marsha Laycox)
I was both delighted and nervous when Hallie asked me if I would be her doula for the birth of her second child. I knew Hallie was an excellent doula, herself, and to be honest, I was worried how I might measure up under such “greatness”. I do not kid. I hold Hallie in high regard for her wisdom, her knowledge, and her talents both as a doula and as a Mom.
At the same time, I wanted to be her doula. I wanted to experience birth with her, not only as a fellow doula, but a person I considered a dear friend. I joked with her in the beginning that being her doula was like “praying in front of the Pope”; but at the same time, if you are of the Catholic faith, wouldn’t you want to meet the Pope? It’s kind of like that… you’re nervous, but you still want it. That’s how it felt to accept Hallie’s request to be the doula for her family as she approached the birth of her second baby. I felt honored just to be considered.
She and her husband, Jason, chose to have a home birth with a Midwife from a local Birth Center. They would welcome their newest baby in the private and warm setting where they lived and laughed; and instantly be settled as a family in the “nest” they had made. How beautiful is that?
Now to speak of excitement, as the days ticked by, I know I became increasingly more excited at the calendar. I could only imagine what Hallie was feeling. She had concluded that her due date was January 12th and she truly did not want it to be any later than that because her first child, a beautiful little girl named Reaghan, was born on the 17th and she didn’t want them to have their birthdays too close together.
Hallie began having some tell-tale pains that turned out to be Braxton Hicks in the week or so before her big day. As a doula and someone who’d supported several women in labor, she knew what was happening in her body and she was confident that it would be soon; and what Mom doesn’t want those last days to end quickly and meet the wondrous life growing inside her by that point?
The weekend of January 9-11, we exchanged many texts, phone calls, or emails to determine how she was doing, how she was feeling, etc. I learned I wasn’t the only one who was asking these questions (more than just daily) and I tried to hang back so she wouldn’t feel like I was hovering. But I did want to know how she was doing, so I stayed in touch with her each day.
On the 9th, I remember her telling me that she felt so much energy that day! She’d gotten some things done she felt needed to be finished. She spent some time with her daughter; something so valuable as a new baby was coming to take a lot of Mommy’s time. I am glad they got to have that special time together. We visited for a few minutes outside her house and discussed the full moon that was coming that weekend. We could already see it arriving in the sky as we stood talking. That was about 5:30pm on Friday.
Hallie had told me she’d heard the moon was going to be the biggest and closest full moon of the year! My husband said he’d heard about it on the news. And we in the birth community know what the Midwives believe to be true about full moons: they bring babies! I had to look it up online. In some of my research, I learned that January’s full moon is called the Wolf Moon.
Each month has a different name in Native American folklore. The ironic thing is that I have loved wolves as long as I can remember. They are a mystical, spiritual, beautiful creature that I am fascinated by and enamored with.
Other references in the folklore called January’s moon the “Old Moon” or “Snow Moon”, but I preferred the “Wolf Moon” name, myself. It seemed so much more “primal” sounding too – something birth is all about and Hallie was feeling deep inside.
The Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events called for the technical date of January 2009’s actual full moon to be in its true full self on January 11th. Later that evening (the 11th), I received a text message from Hallie. She was telling me she’d had some stirrings and a lot of good pains. They weren’t being consistent yet, but she knew that they would get into a pattern very soon. She’d gone to the mall earlier that day and done LOTS of walking. She’d planned to leave sooner than she actually did, but I believe that sometimes God’s plans for the things He wants to happen are greater. She did more walking and that was just what her body needed to get things started for Myra’s arrival. Hallie also told me she’d noticed some “bloody show” when she used the restroom. Yet another sign that Myra was soon to make her way from the womb into the world.
She’d said she was going to try to rest. I said I would try to do the same. I think if we had both known that neither one of us would truly rest or sleep that night, we could have just stayed online or on the phone together and chatted through some of her pains. But she used distraction as a method of coping for early labor. She did some cleaning in her house, went on her computer some, checked out the website to see how the other Moms who were in her January due date group were doing, etc.
The next text came early in the morning, as she felt things were starting to pick up a little. We chatted back and forth to see if she wanted me to come then or how she wanted things to go. I wanted to honor her space, but also let her know that I was there for her and would be there in person as soon as she said the word.
That word came by way of her husband who called my phone a little after 9:00am on Monday, January 12th! She’d been writing down the contractions the previous night as they came, but around 8:00am, they became steadier, more rhythmic and exact. Around 9:00am, she knew she wanted help in handling them as they surged through her body.
A quick call to my office to let them know I wouldn’t be in to work that day, followed by a fast shower and gathering up my doula bag of goodies and I was on my way to her house. I was thankful that God had pressed my spirit to take care of all the details at work for Monday ahead of time, and I was able to relax and know that nothing was looming or overdue for me in the office. I knew this would allow me to be better relaxed for Hallie – the one who needed it the most, of course!
As I made my way along East Bay Drive, I was getting close to the turnoff toward her house. While driving, I noticed Hallie’s vehicle pull in front of me. Her business info is on the back window, so I had no question that it was hers. I knew it couldn’t be her driving though. Or, at least I hoped. Sure enough, it was her husband, Jason. As we both pulled into the driveway of their home together, we joked that I was following him! He had gotten some breakfast – something he needed as he had to stay fueled and energized as well.
When I saw Hallie, I reflected how beautiful she was in all her baby and birthing glory. She wore a grey colored sports bra/tank and this gorgeous Chitenje, (or, sarong, for those who may not know what I mean.)
Her Mom had brought it home to her from Malawi, Africa, and it was a treasured way to include her Mother into the birth process. It still brings tears to my eyes, imagining all the meaning that went into this day. The music she chose was so relaxing; calming; yet also so empowering.
Hallie had envisioned that this birth would be at home, surrounded by her husband and a circle of women that she felt especially close to. I wanted more than anything to help make sure that she got just what she hoped for.
After I arrived, I was able to help take over the writing and timing of the contractions; when they came, how long they lasted, etc. By late morning, almost lunch time, I was telling her that I could actually set a watch by her. Her uterus was working at good, steady contractions that were exactly 5-6 minutes apart. Hallie made a call to the Midwife, Crystal, at Labor of Love who decided she would not rush to get there, but would leisurely take care of some things at the Birth Center in Dunedin and then make her way to Hallie’s house to check on her.
Her husband, Jason, made a batch of spaghetti that smelled amazing! He used a buffalo meat that I am going to have to try sometime soon! He helped me get everything ready on the bed, making sure the shower curtains and sheets were properly placed and the bedding was protected. We talked on and off between Hallie’s pains and he explained how he was glad Hallie had other women to help her through the birth. You could easily see the love he has for his wife, and the discomfort he had in not being able to fix things for her and make everything better.
Hallie expressed a fear of only being 1 centimeter dilated when the Midwife arrived, in the late afternoon, but when she checked her (at approximately 4:00pm), Crystal informed her that she was in fact, 3-4 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced! Secretly hoping for 5-6 centimeters to be the words the Midwife proclaimed, Hallie processed the news in her mind. We encouraged her to remain positive and that she wasn’t at the 1 centimeter she feared, but had gone quite far in being effaced and thinned out already! We remained positive, and truly felt it inside we continued to uplift and empower her with our words.
Hallie gave word that her friends could join us. They were eagerly waiting by their phones and it didn’t take them long to arrive. When they joined us, at the Midwife’s insistence, we all took a nice long walk around the block. Two of her friends, Meghan & Joy, who are both doulas as well, the Midwife, Crystal, and myself… on a walk… we looked like the Momma tribe coming down the lane. It was really a most adorable sight; especially with Meghan’s new baby boy clutched close to her in his sling. We walked, and talked, and laughed, and Hallie labored. She was “a-maz-ing”! She’d just keep walking along as a contraction ripped through her body. She was so focused on what she needed to do; she had resolved to just get up and do it – whatever needed to be done, she’d do it! And she did!
When we came back, she sat on the birth ball for a little bit. She rocked her hips and swayed to the music in the background. The women in the room sat around her in a loving circle. Meghan & Joy each took a leg or foot and massaged her during and between each contraction.
I sat behind her and rubbed her shoulders or applied pressure to her lower back. We verbally encouraged her and talked her through her breathing as each wave came to its height and then eased back down.
Several times, she would have what we called Piggy-Back contractions, in which some of the contractions would spawn another one right on top of the first. Those were especially painful and we each did what we could for her during those pains. Even her dogs, Dixie and Connor, got in the action and tried to help where they could too.
Her friend Niana joined us with her son Clark. And so we added one more woman to the tribe of estrogen in the house of Dedrick. We almost felt bad for poor Jason and little Connor, but then of course, Meghan and Niana did bring in their own little bits of testosterone with their sweet baby boys!
Around 6:20pm, the Midwife checked Hallie again, and she was 6 centimeters dilated. She was still 90% effaced and the baby was at -1 station. So, she decided to stay on the bed to labor there for a little while. Her circle of support stayed with her for a little while and rubbed her legs, her feet, and her back. Her husband joined us, and she was glad to have him there with her. We, the women, all agreed it was time for them to have some “couple time” and left them together in the room to have some privacy. I can’t say from the author’s angle as to how they labored together in there, but I am certain it was a time of deeper bonding for them.
When the Midwife checked Hallie again, she was 8 centimeters dilated and could easily “stretch to 9” – which was all the encouragement this Momma needed! But upon pushing, it became clear to Hallie that with pushing, came pain. She felt as though her body was telling her it wasn’t time to push, yet her body was physically telling the Midwife that it was indeed quite okay to do so. Hallie faced the news bravely as the Midwife explained that this may just be something she needs to “push through” and literally had to move through the pain in order to achieve crowning.
With Reaghan, pushing felt good, she had told us; but this time, pushing came as no release;
no final “ah” in actually doing something proactive during labor. It simply brought pain and discomfort. We all felt so bad for her and wanted to be able to change things for her; but we each knew the best thing to do was just steadily keep encouraging her and reminding her of what a strong, capable woman she was, and is!
She was in the bed. Her husband, Jason was lying next to her, stroking the hair out of her face and holding her leg for her, or pressing into her back or hip when she needed it. I stood to the side of her and allowed her to grip my hand as she pushed with all her might. Meghan & Joy each took a foot and massaged it, squeezing hard at Hallie’s request during each contraction and subsequent push.
The Birth Assistant arrived and we traded places. I took over Meghan’s spot so she could take birth pictures as Myra entered the world. We knew Myra was moving down the birth canal and her little head would soon be making an appearance, so on each push, we rallied louder and became more excited! It was as if we were pushing with her (although I am sure she would be the first to say she was the one doing the work; and working, she was). We continued to cheer her on and tell her how great she was doing! Sometimes we held our breath as she pushed –
I somehow always seem to do that.
The Midwife placed a chux pad at Hallie’s bottom, knowing that since Myra was so close, when Hallie pushed, her water would soon break. Sure enough, we each heard the membranes rupture and immediately began to see Myra’s head emerge with each push. Every time Hallie pushed, we saw more and more of the baby and it only excited all of us even more. Jason gently reminded her to tuck her chin and push with focus, which she did. Hallie was grateful for everyone’s exuberance as she said later that it helped spur her on to work even harder.
The baby’s head emerged from the birth canal and we had our first peek at a tussle of dark hair as it peeked through to the outside world. I glanced at my watch and couldn’t believe that we were just minutes from Midnight. We all wondered: would it be January 12th or January 13th?
It was very close, as Myra came into the world at 11:56pm on January 12th; just 4 minutes shy of a different date to celebrate her birthday.
As her head began to leave Hallie’s body, the Midwife immediately determined that the baby’s cord was wrapped around her neck. There was no room on the short cord to slip it over the baby’s head and allow her to fully exit before clamping or cutting, so she went to quick work of separating baby from Mom.
We all shared a chuckle as “birth junkie” Hallie peered forward and looked down to see the Midwife clamping and cutting the cord while the baby remained mostly inside her still. Hallie started to ask what was happening, and after quick survey of the situation, leaned back in relief saying “oh I know what you’re doing, it’s okay”. Only a true birth guru could have full presence of mind to witness everything and relax in the knowledge of what was happening, and know that it was safe.
We didn’t know what the baby’s gender would be until he or she was born and we were all delighted to watch the new parents identify that in fact, she was a baby girl! Myra Lynn was to be her name – it’s a very beautiful name, I believe. I had chosen to wear the fragrance of Myrrh that day. I did not know whether the baby would be a boy or girl. I did not know that her name would be Myra. In ancient times, many people wore it as a perfume. I chose it because I thought it would compliment the patchouli fragrance that Hallie had chosen to fill her home as she labored. We later commented on the irony between wearing Myrrh and her name, Myra.
I can’t remember one of us not weeping at her birth. She was so perfect. Hallie was awesome. We all exchanged knowing glances and smiles. We hugged and cried tears of joy. It was the birth vision Hallie desired. Myra entered the world as her Mommy was surrounded by love: her husband right there beside her… and that circle of women she had hoped would be there, encouraging her.
Baby Myra Lynn Dedrick weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21.5 inches long on her birthday. She caught on to nursing fairly quick; and with a little adjusting and help from her Mommy, the Midwife and the Birth Assistant, she was a champ in no time.
At about 2:00am, after making sure the family was doing well and helping as needed, I decided it was time for me to go so they could rest and have time together as a family. Reaghan joined them the next day and they had lots to share with her.
I looked up the “Birth Verse” for January 12th on a website that I have bookmarked on my computer that shows the Bible Verse associated with someone’s birthday.
While this is supposed to be Myra’s verse, I feel it also holds true for Hallie and Jason, and all that they went through for this precious baby girl. I have to also say that I am sure it will be one that is relevant in Myra’s life as well as she most certainly will inherit her parents’ strength!
The verse is: James 1:12 NIV
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
I will always treasure this! Myra’s Birth Story
(as told by her Mommy & Daddy’s Doula, Marsha Laycox)
I was both delighted and nervous when Hallie asked me if I would be her doula for the birth of her second child. I knew Hallie was an excellent doula, herself, and to be honest, I was worried how I might measure up under such “greatness”. I do not kid. I hold Hallie in high regard for her wisdom, her knowledge, and her talents both as a doula and as a Mom.
At the same time, I wanted to be her doula. I wanted to experience birth with her, not only as a fellow doula, but a person I considered a dear friend. I joked with her in the beginning that being her doula was like “praying in front of the Pope”; but at the same time, if you are of the Catholic faith, wouldn’t you want to meet the Pope? It’s kind of like that… you’re nervous, but you still want it. That’s how it felt to accept Hallie’s request to be the doula for her family as she approached the birth of her second baby. I felt honored just to be considered.
She and her husband, Jason, chose to have a home birth with a Midwife from a local Birth Center. They would welcome their newest baby in the private and warm setting where they lived and laughed; and instantly be settled as a family in the “nest” they had made. How beautiful is that?
Now to speak of excitement, as the days ticked by, I know I became increasingly more excited at the calendar. I could only imagine what Hallie was feeling. She had concluded that her due date was January 12th and she truly did not want it to be any later than that because her first child, a beautiful little girl named Reaghan, was born on the 17th and she didn’t want them to have their birthdays too close together.
Hallie began having some tell-tale pains that turned out to be Braxton Hicks in the week or so before her big day. As a doula and someone who’d supported several women in labor, she knew what was happening in her body and she was confident that it would be soon; and what Mom doesn’t want those last days to end quickly and meet the wondrous life growing inside her by that point?
The weekend of January 9-11, we exchanged many texts, phone calls, or emails to determine how she was doing, how she was feeling, etc. I learned I wasn’t the only one who was asking these questions (more than just daily) and I tried to hang back so she wouldn’t feel like I was hovering. But I did want to know how she was doing, so I stayed in touch with her each day.
On the 9th, I remember her telling me that she felt so much energy that day! She’d gotten some things done she felt needed to be finished. She spent some time with her daughter; something so valuable as a new baby was coming to take a lot of Mommy’s time. I am glad they got to have that special time together. We visited for a few minutes outside her house and discussed the full moon that was coming that weekend. We could already see it arriving in the sky as we stood talking. That was about 5:30pm on Friday.
Hallie had told me she’d heard the moon was going to be the biggest and closest full moon of the year! My husband said he’d heard about it on the news. And we in the birth community know what the Midwives believe to be true about full moons: they bring babies! I had to look it up online. In some of my research, I learned that January’s full moon is called the Wolf Moon.
Each month has a different name in Native American folklore. The ironic thing is that I have loved wolves as long as I can remember. They are a mystical, spiritual, beautiful creature that I am fascinated by and enamored with.
Other references in the folklore called January’s moon the “Old Moon” or “Snow Moon”, but I preferred the “Wolf Moon” name, myself. It seemed so much more “primal” sounding too – something birth is all about and Hallie was feeling deep inside.
The Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events called for the technical date of January 2009’s actual full moon to be in its true full self on January 11th. Later that evening (the 11th), I received a text message from Hallie. She was telling me she’d had some stirrings and a lot of good pains. They weren’t being consistent yet, but she knew that they would get into a pattern very soon. She’d gone to the mall earlier that day and done LOTS of walking. She’d planned to leave sooner than she actually did, but I believe that sometimes God’s plans for the things He wants to happen are greater. She did more walking and that was just what her body needed to get things started for Myra’s arrival. Hallie also told me she’d noticed some “bloody show” when she used the restroom. Yet another sign that Myra was soon to make her way from the womb into the world.
She’d said she was going to try to rest. I said I would try to do the same. I think if we had both known that neither one of us would truly rest or sleep that night, we could have just stayed online or on the phone together and chatted through some of her pains. But she used distraction as a method of coping for early labor. She did some cleaning in her house, went on her computer some, checked out the website to see how the other Moms who were in her January due date group were doing, etc.
The next text came early in the morning, as she felt things were starting to pick up a little. We chatted back and forth to see if she wanted me to come then or how she wanted things to go. I wanted to honor her space, but also let her know that I was there for her and would be there in person as soon as she said the word.
That word came by way of her husband who called my phone a little after 9:00am on Monday, January 12th! She’d been writing down the contractions the previous night as they came, but around 8:00am, they became steadier, more rhythmic and exact. Around 9:00am, she knew she wanted help in handling them as they surged through her body.
A quick call to my office to let them know I wouldn’t be in to work that day, followed by a fast shower and gathering up my doula bag of goodies and I was on my way to her house. I was thankful that God had pressed my spirit to take care of all the details at work for Monday ahead of time, and I was able to relax and know that nothing was looming or overdue for me in the office. I knew this would allow me to be better relaxed for Hallie – the one who needed it the most, of course!
As I made my way along East Bay Drive, I was getting close to the turnoff toward her house. While driving, I noticed Hallie’s vehicle pull in front of me. Her business info is on the back window, so I had no question that it was hers. I knew it couldn’t be her driving though. Or, at least I hoped. Sure enough, it was her husband, Jason. As we both pulled into the driveway of their home together, we joked that I was following him! He had gotten some breakfast – something he needed as he had to stay fueled and energized as well.
When I saw Hallie, I reflected how beautiful she was in all her baby and birthing glory. She wore a grey colored sports bra/tank and this gorgeous Chitenje, (or, sarong, for those who may not know what I mean.)
Her Mom had brought it home to her from Malawi, Africa, and it was a treasured way to include her Mother into the birth process. It still brings tears to my eyes, imagining all the meaning that went into this day. The music she chose was so relaxing; calming; yet also so empowering.
Hallie had envisioned that this birth would be at home, surrounded by her husband and a circle of women that she felt especially close to. I wanted more than anything to help make sure that she got just what she hoped for.
After I arrived, I was able to help take over the writing and timing of the contractions; when they came, how long they lasted, etc. By late morning, almost lunch time, I was telling her that I could actually set a watch by her. Her uterus was working at good, steady contractions that were exactly 5-6 minutes apart. Hallie made a call to the Midwife, Crystal, at Labor of Love who decided she would not rush to get there, but would leisurely take care of some things at the Birth Center in Dunedin and then make her way to Hallie’s house to check on her.
Her husband, Jason, made a batch of spaghetti that smelled amazing! He used a buffalo meat that I am going to have to try sometime soon! He helped me get everything ready on the bed, making sure the shower curtains and sheets were properly placed and the bedding was protected. We talked on and off between Hallie’s pains and he explained how he was glad Hallie had other women to help her through the birth. You could easily see the love he has for his wife, and the discomfort he had in not being able to fix things for her and make everything better.
Hallie expressed a fear of only being 1 centimeter dilated when the Midwife arrived, in the late afternoon, but when she checked her (at approximately 4:00pm), Crystal informed her that she was in fact, 3-4 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced! Secretly hoping for 5-6 centimeters to be the words the Midwife proclaimed, Hallie processed the news in her mind. We encouraged her to remain positive and that she wasn’t at the 1 centimeter she feared, but had gone quite far in being effaced and thinned out already! We remained positive, and truly felt it inside we continued to uplift and empower her with our words.
Hallie gave word that her friends could join us. They were eagerly waiting by their phones and it didn’t take them long to arrive. When they joined us, at the Midwife’s insistence, we all took a nice long walk around the block. Two of her friends, Meghan & Joy, who are both doulas as well, the Midwife, Crystal, and myself… on a walk… we looked like the Momma tribe coming down the lane. It was really a most adorable sight; especially with Meghan’s new baby boy clutched close to her in his sling. We walked, and talked, and laughed, and Hallie labored. She was “a-maz-ing”! She’d just keep walking along as a contraction ripped through her body. She was so focused on what she needed to do; she had resolved to just get up and do it – whatever needed to be done, she’d do it! And she did!
When we came back, she sat on the birth ball for a little bit. She rocked her hips and swayed to the music in the background. The women in the room sat around her in a loving circle. Meghan & Joy each took a leg or foot and massaged her during and between each contraction.
I sat behind her and rubbed her shoulders or applied pressure to her lower back. We verbally encouraged her and talked her through her breathing as each wave came to its height and then eased back down.
Several times, she would have what we called Piggy-Back contractions, in which some of the contractions would spawn another one right on top of the first. Those were especially painful and we each did what we could for her during those pains. Even her dogs, Dixie and Connor, got in the action and tried to help where they could too.
Her friend Niana joined us with her son Clark. And so we added one more woman to the tribe of estrogen in the house of Dedrick. We almost felt bad for poor Jason and little Connor, but then of course, Meghan and Niana did bring in their own little bits of testosterone with their sweet baby boys!
Around 6:20pm, the Midwife checked Hallie again, and she was 6 centimeters dilated. She was still 90% effaced and the baby was at -1 station. So, she decided to stay on the bed to labor there for a little while. Her circle of support stayed with her for a little while and rubbed her legs, her feet, and her back. Her husband joined us, and she was glad to have him there with her. We, the women, all agreed it was time for them to have some “couple time” and left them together in the room to have some privacy. I can’t say from the author’s angle as to how they labored together in there, but I am certain it was a time of deeper bonding for them.
When the Midwife checked Hallie again, she was 8 centimeters dilated and could easily “stretch to 9” – which was all the encouragement this Momma needed! But upon pushing, it became clear to Hallie that with pushing, came pain. She felt as though her body was telling her it wasn’t time to push, yet her body was physically telling the Midwife that it was indeed quite okay to do so. Hallie faced the news bravely as the Midwife explained that this may just be something she needs to “push through” and literally had to move through the pain in order to achieve crowning.
With Reaghan, pushing felt good, she had told us; but this time, pushing came as no release;
no final “ah” in actually doing something proactive during labor. It simply brought pain and discomfort. We all felt so bad for her and wanted to be able to change things for her; but we each knew the best thing to do was just steadily keep encouraging her and reminding her of what a strong, capable woman she was, and is!
She was in the bed. Her husband, Jason was lying next to her, stroking the hair out of her face and holding her leg for her, or pressing into her back or hip when she needed it. I stood to the side of her and allowed her to grip my hand as she pushed with all her might. Meghan & Joy each took a foot and massaged it, squeezing hard at Hallie’s request during each contraction and subsequent push.
The Birth Assistant arrived and we traded places. I took over Meghan’s spot so she could take birth pictures as Myra entered the world. We knew Myra was moving down the birth canal and her little head would soon be making an appearance, so on each push, we rallied louder and became more excited! It was as if we were pushing with her (although I am sure she would be the first to say she was the one doing the work; and working, she was). We continued to cheer her on and tell her how great she was doing! Sometimes we held our breath as she pushed –
I somehow always seem to do that.
The Midwife placed a chux pad at Hallie’s bottom, knowing that since Myra was so close, when Hallie pushed, her water would soon break. Sure enough, we each heard the membranes rupture and immediately began to see Myra’s head emerge with each push. Every time Hallie pushed, we saw more and more of the baby and it only excited all of us even more. Jason gently reminded her to tuck her chin and push with focus, which she did. Hallie was grateful for everyone’s exuberance as she said later that it helped spur her on to work even harder.
The baby’s head emerged from the birth canal and we had our first peek at a tussle of dark hair as it peeked through to the outside world. I glanced at my watch and couldn’t believe that we were just minutes from Midnight. We all wondered: would it be January 12th or January 13th?
It was very close, as Myra came into the world at 11:56pm on January 12th; just 4 minutes shy of a different date to celebrate her birthday.
As her head began to leave Hallie’s body, the Midwife immediately determined that the baby’s cord was wrapped around her neck. There was no room on the short cord to slip it over the baby’s head and allow her to fully exit before clamping or cutting, so she went to quick work of separating baby from Mom.
We all shared a chuckle as “birth junkie” Hallie peered forward and looked down to see the Midwife clamping and cutting the cord while the baby remained mostly inside her still. Hallie started to ask what was happening, and after quick survey of the situation, leaned back in relief saying “oh I know what you’re doing, it’s okay”. Only a true birth guru could have full presence of mind to witness everything and relax in the knowledge of what was happening, and know that it was safe.
We didn’t know what the baby’s gender would be until he or she was born and we were all delighted to watch the new parents identify that in fact, she was a baby girl! Myra Lynn was to be her name – it’s a very beautiful name, I believe. I had chosen to wear the fragrance of Myrrh that day. I did not know whether the baby would be a boy or girl. I did not know that her name would be Myra. In ancient times, many people wore it as a perfume. I chose it because I thought it would compliment the patchouli fragrance that Hallie had chosen to fill her home as she labored. We later commented on the irony between wearing Myrrh and her name, Myra.
I can’t remember one of us not weeping at her birth. She was so perfect. Hallie was awesome. We all exchanged knowing glances and smiles. We hugged and cried tears of joy. It was the birth vision Hallie desired. Myra entered the world as her Mommy was surrounded by love: her husband right there beside her… and that circle of women she had hoped would be there, encouraging her.
Baby Myra Lynn Dedrick weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21.5 inches long on her birthday. She caught on to nursing fairly quick; and with a little adjusting and help from her Mommy, the Midwife and the Birth Assistant, she was a champ in no time.
At about 2:00am, after making sure the family was doing well and helping as needed, I decided it was time for me to go so they could rest and have time together as a family. Reaghan joined them the next day and they had lots to share with her.
I looked up the “Birth Verse” for January 12th on a website that I have bookmarked on my computer that shows the Bible Verse associated with someone’s birthday.
While this is supposed to be Myra’s verse, I feel it also holds true for Hallie and Jason, and all that they went through for this precious baby girl. I have to also say that I am sure it will be one that is relevant in Myra’s life as well as she most certainly will inherit her parents’ strength!
The verse is: James 1:12 NIV
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
