God Redeems Birth: Arey

We make plans for birth, but sometimes regardless of how hard we plan, things change. God is Sovereign, He is faithful. You can rest your little planning mind, Surrender those plans, and rest in the knowledge that He knows exactly how your birth will play out. He will provide endurance when we hope in Him.

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Arey’s Testimony

Naomi’s birth was one of the longest and hardest working experiences I’ve gone through in my life! God used my pregnancy and birth to give me victory over fears, unbelief and negative thoughts.

God redeemed my birth by giving me confidence, wisdom and discernment in making decisions regarding my prenatal care. This led to having a successful VBAC with a healthy mom and baby!

For the first half of my pregnancy, I went to the OB who delivered my first baby. Since I had a previous “emergency C-section,” he expected me to have a repeat c-section. Even though he gave some good reasons why I should have a c-section, I didn’t feel heard or supported when expressing my desire for a VBAC. He didn’t even want to let me try and STRONGLY encouraged me to have repeat surgery. He would give me worst-case scenarios which led me to be more fearful than was necessary.

My husband and I were struggling to make a decision. We could try to find another provider and facility, or we could schedule the repeat c-section and go to the hospital. After spending some time in prayer and researching, we decided to try a midwife and birth at a birth center.

My midwife gave me confidence that this could be done, and she helped me believe in my body. She gave me hope but also truth. I completely believe that God put her in my path to help me push away those fears and doubts and believe that a VBAC was possible.

The most challenging thing during pregnancy was the last 2 weeks, with everybody was asking, “is it time yet?” I went past my due date, so it was very hard not to get anxious or think that I would be pregnant forever! I did 8 sessions of acupuncture; even though I did have some contractions, nothing picked up, and I was feeling discouraged and disappointed in my body. It was a constant SURRENDER of my desires, my ideas of when I should have the baby. I remember finally “letting go” after my last acupuncture session. I said to God, “I will enjoy my pregnancy while it lasts, I will enjoy the time I have with my only son while it lasts, I will enjoy seeing my belly and knowing that baby is where she should be, I will enjoy every bit of it and know that my time to meet baby will come soon. I will TRUST in you, Lord, and not on my own understanding.”

My birth was, for the most part, very different from what I envisioned it to be. The first part of my labor went as expected: laboring at home, spending time with my son, and getting ready to go to the birth center. I had a very pleasant time at the birth center, laboring in the shower with the birth ball, then in the pool, having awesome care from the student midwife and my midwife.

Things weren’t progressing, so we decided to transfer to the care of another midwife at the hospital who was EXTREMELY helpful, encouraging and believed that I could still have a VBAC. This is one of the ways that I saw God most evident in my birth. He put great people in our path who supported my decision to try for a VBAC; people who took care of me and my baby, not only at the birth center, but also at the hospital.

Looking back on the whole experience, I can see God’s finger prints ALL OVER! I’m amazed at how “well and mellow” I was and how I dealt with contractions, amazed at the support team I had (husband, student midwife, midwife, labor nurses and postpartum nurses), amazed at the level of confidence I had, amazed at my husband (he truly is a rock and my cheerleader), and amazed at God’s timing.

After 43 hrs of labor and 40 minutes of pushing, I gave birth vaginally to a beautiful baby girl! She was born on Monday, October 13th, at 12:17 am. So many thoughts crossed my mind when I saw my baby for the first time: she’s here!; I did it; she is sooo sweet and beautiful. Tender love and joy filled my heart, even more so seeing my husband and the two grandmas all around me. The Lord truly knows what is best for all of us, even when we cannot see it during the difficulties and storms of this life.

During my pregnancy and birth God taught me that surrender is a daily thing to do. There is a pain that is good because it will bring joy at the end (and a baby). He’s my deliverer, and I can TRUST in Him and His timing. There were also plenty of opportunities to practice patience!

Some of the Bible verses that I used in labor:
– “For God hasn’t given me a spirit of Fear, but of love, power and sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
– “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
-“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
Just remember that Christ endured the cross because He knew that there would be greater joy after His sacrifice. Like Jesus, I knew that after my labor pains I would meet my baby and be filled with joy! “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross.” Hebrews 12:2

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Songs that were meaningful in labor:
“Overcome” by Jeremy Camp
“Forever Praise” by Kim Walker-Smith
“Holy Spirit” by Bryan Torwalt
“Oceans” by Hillsong United
“I Surrender” by Jesus Culture

 

 

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