My Birthing Experience
I had the most bitter sweet experience over the past seven days, it was emotionally draining and psychologically charged. Our only daughter is married and was expecting her first child on December 31, her father's birthday. We, especially my husband, have been very excited about this great event over these 9 months.To make it even more exciting, our daughter and hubby chose to have her come home for the birth of her baby, where I can be home and support her on this very new journey. She wanted me to be there and still be home to carry out my own obligations.
    December came and the plans were in full gear, everything was set and so we went and got our nails and feet done and waited for the event.We had been scheduled for an ultra sound on the 30th (day before expected delivery date) all was well with that. We went to her dr's appointment on the 2nd,where they scheduled her for an induction on the 8th. We did not want that but we trusted our physician. On the evening of the 3rd we received a phone call from our OB/GYN dr, informing us that my daughter needs to come in tomorrow morning, 4 days early to be induced. when we inquired, the umbilical cord was around the baby's neck. We were devastated! I accompanied my daughter as I was her birthing coach. She was induced at 11:30 am on saturday and did not deliver that baby girl until Monday morning, by C-section.
      It was a long and difficult journey, I never left her side, I felt the pain, the anxiety and frustration when she stayed at 1cm for 2 days, then 2 1/2cm for 5 hours. It took 9 1/2 hours to get to 9 cm, imagine the agony! At 3 cm she got the epidural but at 9 cm the contractions lost their strength so we painfully decided to do C section. We were sad that after all of that time we had. I had the opportunity to be in the OR, what an experience that was when I saw my grand daughter emerged! 9lbs and 22 inches, amazing, beautiful and adorable.
Now the journey of recovery and healing began, we were discharged on 1/9 but before we could leave the room she suddenly started to shiver, she came down with a fever  of 102 so we were readmitted, such a disappointment but we were at the right place! We were discharged 1/10 at 9pm. Phew!! what an experience it was, but it gave us the opportunity to share one of the greatest and most significant moments that was as bitter as it was sweet.

I choose this experience because it is so recent, its still happening as I am writing. I just sit and look at my grand daughter and is amazed at the wonders of God's hands!
I see the child bearing process from conception to birth and beyond as one that needs proper management. Eating, exercise, emotional and mental state of mind are all aspects that contribute to the well-being of the child through his development. Research is on-going in an effort to improve the life span from birth through life.

my 4 days old grand daughter

Hannah is trying to figure what Nana is doing.