Do people actually enjoy unmedicated birth? I’m sure they exist but I certainly am not one of them. Frankly, there are many aspects surrounding birth that are uncomfortable for me but the prize of life trumps it all. Even though labor and birth is not something I look forward to, I see it as a mountain to climb towards accomplishing my ultimate goal of having another child. 

This was all true of my feelings regarding the imminent arrival of my second born. The one thing that was different this time around was that I actually knew what labor was like. I really can’t complain about the birth experience of my first but since pregnancy sparks a rise in my anxiety, the additional experiential knowledge added to the fear. 

I was actively fighting this fear but there were so many moments where a new fear would be unlocked and I was weary of the battle. Pregnancy can be a long nine months. 

One day, after watching a woman talking through her birth story on YouTube, I decided I would bring each and every fear before the Lord in prayer.

God tells us to bring all our anxieties before Him. He also tells us He cares about us down to the tiniest detail and that we truly have no need of fear. So, I decided to take Him at His word. 

In all truth, I did not believe He would answer my requests. Well, I was sure He would answer some of them but I was not holding back this time and my list was quite long. Did He really care about the tiny details? 

The day came and I woke up in labor. It was 4:30 in the morning. Answer to prayer #1. I had begged the Lord to allow me to be rested for labor—praying I would not labor through the night. 

After about an hour I was certain today was the day our son would arrive. Answer to prayer #3. The second request was, of course, that I would make it to 37 weeks gestation (this was the deciding factor in whether or not I could have a home birth as planned). This third answer to prayer was that I would go into labor over this particular weekend in hopes that I would get the specific midwife on call that day. 

It was Saturday. The day before Mother’s Day. Answer to prayer #4. I had specifically requested that the Lord would allow me to be holding my newborn for Mother’s Day. I added this prayer toward the bottom of the list. Wondering if I was becoming too particular with Him.

Once the midwife determined it was a good time for her to make her way over to our home, I told my mom who was staying with us for this event that I was in labor. The baby was on his way and I asked my mom to take care of my daughter so Stephen and I could be consumed with the moment at hand. Answer to prayer #5. I had prayed that I would not go into labor before my mom arrived for her extended visit. Those of you without local family might understand the weight of this request. 

Labor progressed rather quickly. Things stalled out a couple times, only briefly, but things were progressing as normal as I believe to be possible. Eventually, things got real! IYKYK. After waiting for the fetal ejection reflex but not feeling it for some time, and with the counsel of my midwife, I decided it was best to begin pushing during contractions. One or two contractions later, my water broke in the tub. Answer #6. I prayed that my water would not break until I was pushing because the bag of water acts as a cushion allowing for less pain during active labor and transition. This was an important one for me.

It only took a few pushes, maybe two or three, before my son was in my arms. Answer to prayer #7—only a few pushes. The song that played while he was arriving was one that had comforted my anxious heart several times before, including the dead of night. This was truly a whisper of grace from the Father to the heart of His daughter.  

My son arrived in the anterior position (answer to prayer #8) about five and a half hours after being woken up with contractions. Wow. The fast labor of my dreams—answer to prayer #9—that labor would be quick. 

My daughter had only been awake for a short time when labor ended. She had not heard anything amiss or had any moment of fear regarding the unusual nature of the morning. This was answer #10. I had prayed that my daughter would be without fear, would not miss me or worry for me, and would be sleeping for the majority of labor. 

After evaluating me and baby, it was clear that all was well and we were healthy. I didn’t tear or need stitches of any kind. These were answers #11, #12, #13. I had prayed fervently that I would not tear or hemorrhage, begging the Lord to keep us healthy and at home without any complications or need for hospital staff. What kindness!

After determining that all was well, my husband brought our daughter in to meet her baby brother. The moment was sweet and we were content—officially a family of four. 

Only a short time after giving birth, my heart began to sing with gratitude. I had mentally gone through my list of requests, even the ones I sheepishly added, and was emotional realizing…He had answered every single one. 

I had held an open hand of surrender toward my list but each request pulled at a deep string in my heart—each one meant something to me. My Father simply decided that it was in His will to answer each one—reminding me that, if He cares for the birds and the lilies, how much more does He care for me? 

Did He have to prove Himself to me? No. But what He did was remind me that He is a good Father. 

I hope my story can serve as a reminder that your Father cares about the littles things because He cares about you. 

He sees you in your struggle and He is eager to love His children—bring your cares to Him.