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MoriYah wrapped in Daddy's tallit on Shabbat at 6 days old
~Moriyah Elyse~
born at home Yom Shabbat (Saturday) July 30 5:14 pm 8.9 lbs 20.5 in.
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I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant with you. It was November 13th and our family had recently returned from an amazing eleven day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) celebration. On one of the last days prayers were said for the wombs of the women to be opened and little did we know, mine would be one of them. We thought our family was complete. After all, Dalton our youngest would be turning 4 in a few short weeks. On the morning I took the pregnancy test I didn't have any symptoms. I just had the overwhelming feeling that I was pregnant. Daddy was working in our home office and the children were playing outside. I took the test and it showed positive immediately. I took the stick into where Daddy was with a huge smile on my face and sat down in front of him. He looked up and said "You're pregnant?" and I nodded. He stood up and hugged me. As we had done several times before with positive tests we spent the next several moments embraced and envisioning our family with an infant and the changes that lie ahead. Then we prayed with thankful hearts.
Daddy was set to leave the following morning on a business trip so we agreed to tell the children on Erev Shabbat (Friday night) at dinner. It was hard to keep the secret. I spent the week creating a pregnancy blog and staying busy with home schooling. During this week we found out another couple from Sukkot and dear friends of ours were also expecting around the same time! So exciting. Friday finally came and Daddy arrived home with flowers. We were both eager to share our joy with your siblings. After prayers and blessings Daddy announced that YHWH would be adding to our family in late July with either a brother or a sister. Victoria and Gregory were excited but Rebekah, Irelyne and Dalton didn't quite catch on or understand. In fact it wasn't until the end of dinner that they understood that I was in fact pregnant because apparently they thought we were adopting since we'd talked of it in the past.
I had used the same Midwife with my last three home births but this time i felt deep within the need to look elsewhere. I did a search and found that the assistant with Daltons birth had her own practice. I loved Debra. Daddy did too. She was so calming and very laid back instead of take charge like the previous midwife. I didn't know why Father would be leading me this direction but I was certainly going to listen and as with everything when we choose to obey the revelations come. They did come and I will share about it later.
My first trimester was uneventful and other than being tired I felt great. We even took a family camping trip to Sante Fe for fun in the snow. My second trimester was busy with various projects around our home and an ultrasound that revealed you are a girl! So during the third trimester we began working on your nursery and preparing for your arrival. We had been praying about your name for months wanting YHWH to name you. MoriYah Elyse means set apart and chosen/taught by Yah. Our desire is that your life will reflect your beautiful name.
The ladies in our fellowship gave us a tea party baby shower. It was such a fun afternoon celebrating you and making hair bows. With just two weeks until my due date Debra shared that you were still posterior and it wasn't a big concern but for me to do a little research on it because my labor would be a bit different that all the previous ones. I browsed a few websites and tried the last week to get you to turn but you were comfortable and didn't budge.
My due date came and went as I expected it would. The children were growing anxious to meet you and asking all throughout the final days "when is Moriyah coming?" I tried to savor the last movements in my large tummy and baby hiccups. There is nothing like it. I had a few nights of false labor and finally exactly one week past my due date on July 30 at 3:30 am I awoke to contractions. In my heart I was praying for you to be born on the Sabbath. So once I decided to call the Midwife and assistant I was excited that the time had finally come and that it was indeed Shabbat as I knew in my heart it would be on this set apart day that you would come into the world and join our family.
All along I was positive I would labor at night after all the children were in bed just as I have always done and that it would be short and quick as usual. I was wrong. Once again the Father was teaching me patience and to look to Him and not to rely on my own strength and understanding.
Contractions were light as we awaited the Midwives. The sun began to rise and I began to wonder what was taking so long for labor to really kick in. The ladies arrived at 6am and began to set up as I walked around the house. David woke Victoria up so she could get ready. It was her desire all along to be a complete part of the process. She has felt a calling to Midwifery for some time and has been in prayer about it. I too had been praying that this would be a wonderful experience for her and for our family.
I was checked for dilation and told I was at 8-9 and that seemed normal but I wasn't in pain so it made me cautious. The children began waking one by one and coming into our bedroom where by now I was on our bed relaxing through contractions. We all sang the Shema (Deut. 6) and prayed together. I was very emotional. I cried several times throughout my labor so thankful to be blessed again.
By noon I was rechecked and it was noted that I was actually only at 6 and that I needed to start trying to do some things to help the baby turn and help labor progress. Apparently when a baby is "sunny side up" there isn't a lot of pressure on the cervix and labor takes much longer. At this point I was exhausted but went along with all the various techniques and did my best to concentrate, pray and focus through the pain. Debra shared that I had options and we could easily go to a nearby hospital if I ever felt like I couldn't go on. It was horrifying to hear. She reassured David that baby and I were fine and that she was trying to help and didn't want me to feel trapped.
By 1pm it was decided that I get into a warm bath to relax. The bath was nice but I couldn't get comfortable and my body kept wanting to lean back instead of forward. The entire time Moriyah was active as if trying to find her way. I remember Victoria coming in and seeing Daddy and I both yawning and then all of us laughing. We were beyond tired.
While there in the bath my Mom showed up with pizza and to help with the children. She came in and prayed for the baby to turn. I could tell she was concerned. After she returned to the kitchen I shared with David that I wasn't worried because the baby was moving but that I simply wasn't prepared for the lengthy labor. It was likely that if i was transported that I would have a Caesarian and baby and I would be medicated. I continued praying for strength.
Just at that moment YHWH sent my Midwife Assistant in to see how I was doing and for encouragement. Heather has five children and shared that her last labor was longer than her first and she said I needed to adjust my thinking and get rid of any expectations I may have had because 'the LORD is doing something different this time." Then she asked if I'd prayed. I had been in what seemed a constant state of prayer and I had much peace and wasn't anxious a bit. So I settled back in to concentrating but now with a different mindset.
By now it's after 2pm and I am hungry and dreaming of a green smoothie. I decide to continue eating crushed ice and fresh cantaloupe from our garden that Daddy and Victoria have been bringing me since early morning. At 3pm I get out and go back to my bed. Around 4pm I start transition. I know this because I can no longer keep quiet. My moans are getting louder. Victoria was right there rubbing my back and Daddy was beside her and concerned at this point he would later share. It's been 13 hours since labor began. I tell Victoria she doesn't have to stay if I am scaring her. She reassures me I am not and that she is fine. I opened one eye and told Daddy to take a break and go out of the room. It is 5pm. He actually did go out of the room and asked Debra to check his blood pressure.
The Midwives were in the living room where they stayed most of the day to give us privacy. Daddy shared later that he was concerned and didn't know how much more I could take. This was a first for us. The longest labor prior was Sissy and since she was my first it was expected and was roughly 12 hours born in a hospital with pain medication.
There was no break in pain for a solid hour. I must have announced that I needed to push because Victoria ran to gather Daddy and Debra. Pushing was a relief and two pushes later you crowned with your hand by your face and all were surprised to see you had actually turned! As your head came out my water broke and Daddy pulled you up onto my chest! Whew! It was 5:14pm. I immediately noticed how tiny you were in comparison to the last three babies. With a head full of dark hair you began to cry and I kissed you, kissed Daddy and thanked Sissy and the Midwives. As we waited for your cord to stop pulsating I tried to nurse you and you latched right on. The after birth contractions are just as bad as labor contractions! 30 minutes later I delivered the placenta and Sissy cut the cord. Daddy has always done this but he asked if she wanted to and she was excited to get to do it.
Sissy went to get the other children so they could meet you while Daddy recorded their chatter as they walked down the hall. They joyfully came into the room with cards they had been working on. Daddy put on his tallit and blessed and dedicated you. Again, I was in tears. It was a precious moment with all of us gathered around you.
Looking back I now understand why I was led to another Midwife with a completely different disposition. I am thankful I listened to the spirit within. Debra allowed me space and time to listen to my baby and body. She and the assistants were a blessing as were Daddy and big sister Victoria.
Praise YHWH you were born healthy and at home surrounded by love. We pray your name is a constant reminder of your calling to be set apart and your life would reflect the light of hope and truth! I am already seeing the fruit and blessing from your life within our home.
Thank you Abba YaHWeH for this precious miracle and blessing and for another birth experience to learn from and draw closer to you. ♥
Picture video of pregnancy and homebirth
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