A Friend's Tale: The Birth of a Boy

My friend Lisa was a brave soul. Brave in that she wanted her two older kids—if I remember right they were around 10 (girl) and 11 (boy)—to watch her whelp her sixth baby.

I had five kids at the time, and because their births had been less than pleasant, I couldn't imagine wanting anyone, even myself, being present to watch. My husband was required, after all it was his fault I was even on the delivery table, but to invite my kids to watch? I was afraid they would suffer irreversible damage and never wants kids of their own.

But Lisa was one of those kind that could drop a baby, and then go out and finish weeding the corn before sunset.

For her kids to watch the birth, they had to have a "kids' coach" present to watch them. Tom, Lisa's husband, was assigned to watch her—I was assigned to the kids. (Who was assigned to watch me?)

I had never seen a birth from the other end of the table and was intrigued as to how it would be to experience a birth pain-free.

The day came and I got the call. I headed to the hospital and checked in with Lisa, Tom, and the two kids. When their mother was being checked and messed with, I took the kids in the hall and tried to keep them occupied. Because Lisa is super women, she didn't need an epidural, and her labor progressed quite quickly.

Finally show-time came and the nurses mobilized and transformed the labor room into a delivery room. I kept the kids out of the way while all the preparatory commotion was going on. Finally it was time for the final act: Delivery.

I was so excited I failed to realize that ten-year-old daughter was sitting on the couch, far from the action, looking a bit distressed. Eleven-year-old son wasn't bashful a bit and was front row watching the action.

As the baby was crowning, I went over to daughter and told her that she didn't want to miss this, a huge moment was about to happen and she just had to see it. I took her hand, led her over to the "action end" of her mother, and stood behind her with my hands on her shoulders as her little brother came into the world.

It was amazing. This tiny person, crunched up and purple, slid out into the world. Daughter was scared no more and reveled in the sight of a birth.

I saw the miracle—something I myself had done five times before—and was totally blown away. As I watched this family welcome their new little son/brother into the world, I stood back and realized I was crying. I just couldn't help it.

I consider myself very blessed in that I have seen life come into the world, and I have seen it leave. Both experiences are messy and emotion filled. Both are extremely sacred. I have cried at births and deaths.

I thank Lisa for being willing to "bare all" and invite me in to be a part of her family's great event. She and I are friends to this day (it's been sixteen years), though we live states apart. I guess you just can't share that kind of thing with someone and ever let them go.

DeliveringTale by friend, Sue. Click here to read Sue's own DeliveringTale.