CHRONICLE OF AN EARLY BIRTH

It was Sunday morning and everything was ready for the cesarean section the next day, where our daughter Mariam would be born. In the days leading up to it, my wife had already been experiencing the symptoms indicating that the time for labor was approaching. There were nights when I would get scared, as she would wake up complaining due to contractions; I immediately wanted to run to the hospital, but she would tell me, “Wait, not yet, it will pass!”

It had been 9 years since Baruc, one of our sons, was born when, curiously, also on a Sunday morning, I had to cross the city for 1 hour with my wife, suffering next to me through labor pains to reach the hospital.

Now, the inconvenience, so to speak, is that we are on a ranch and the journey to the city to reach the hospital will take us more than 1 hour on a winding road, so the least I wanted was to run out and have my wife go through the same. But now I know that there is no satisfaction in giving birth without pain. At least, in my wife’s experience, it hasn’t been like that; you see that now hospitals sell «pain-free deliveries.»

Thus that Sunday went by normally; in the morning we had our usual church meeting and we happened to preach about how important children are to Jesus, based on Matthew 19:13-14. And well, as there are no coincidences, I believe that with this message God was reminding me of the great responsibility I have to care for and instruct this girl in the ways of the Lord, just like my other two children, of course. Throughout this time, my wife looked well; she decided that we would leave very early in the morning to arrive around 6 a.m., as the surgery was scheduled for 7 a.m.

The rest of the afternoon was spent packing the last things we needed to take to the hospital for the baby; I also checked the car to ensure that everything was fine and that we could leave without any problems, etc. You never know, right? Anyway, by nightfall we went to sleep, although we really didn’t. We tried to get some sleep; there is always a certain fear that things won’t go well, but this is when we cling to the Lord and surrender to Him, recognizing that He is good and that everything is always under control.

Around 12 a.m., my wife started to experience pain, but now it was more intense; she thought, as before, that it would pass and tried to sleep again. Minutes later, another contraction hit her, but this time it was longer and stronger than the previous one, and that’s when she told me, «Heber, let’s go.» Wow, at that moment, due to the adrenaline, one responds automatically. It was 2:30 a.m. when we got into the car; thank God I had already packed everything we needed before going to bed, so without delay, we left the ranch. Now my wife was screaming because the pain was intensifying, and I thought we still had an hour of road ahead, so in my mind, I was praying while trying to make small talk to distract her and keep her from focusing too much on the pain she was experiencing, but at times this didn’t work. The journey felt long; thank God there was no traffic at that hour. The only thing I prayed for was that a horse or a cow wouldn’t cross our path, which has happened before and caused accidents.

The story from 9 years ago repeated itself; at times, my wife cried out for help to the Lord, while I encouraged her. I believe this time, I don’t know how, but since I had never driven on the highway at night, surely the Lord helped me. Thus, we arrived at the hospital at 3:30. And God arranged everything so that my wife would be soon attended to. After evaluating her and everything that entails, they told us they would take her to the operating room, that everything was ready for the baby to be born.

The doctor asked me if I wanted to go to the operating room, to which I replied: «If my wife wants to, yes?» She looked at me and then said: «Yes.»

So after changing, I was taken to the room and they placed a bench next to it, where I could hold his hand and give him encouragement. From there, I saw it all! In my life, I have experienced some strong impressions, so I felt ready to witness something like this. It is known that men in these circumstances faint or prefer not to be present, but I also knew that the Lord was with us, giving us confidence and strength.

While the doctors were doing their work with my wife, I prayed in my mind and she joked.

Blessed women, how strong they are! —I thought. I believe that’s partly why a mother loves her children so much, due to all the hardships she has to endure to give birth.

Then the pediatrician came over to us and, after introducing herself, told us that upon birth she would receive the baby and take her to the next room for a check-up, and then she would not handle her anymore. And so it happened; while I held my wife’s hand, the doctor said, «Ma’am, you will feel a small push because we are about to take your daughter out!» I was in the front row and could see when the baby’s head peeked out for the first time; seconds later, after suctioning the water from her mouth with a bulb, she began to cry. What a wonderful experience! I think we will never forget that first cry; everything was so quick yet so significant. Immediately, the pediatrician wrapped her in a blanket and took her to the next room. The surgery still took about 40 more minutes to complete. Truly, the doctors are excellent, very experienced, and also kind; something that is appreciated under such pressure. Soon they brought Mariam to us, placing her very close to my wife’s face; she, as a mother (instinct, I suppose), kissed her and became emotional. I, seeing her so small and fragile, was even afraid to touch her, but I felt very happy and grateful to God for my first daughter. The rest is still a story waiting to be written… And I am still here in a hospital room, waiting for them to bring my wife and Mariam after fulfilling the 2 hours of recovery. I can’t wait to see them! Forgive me if I have been too graphic in recounting this experience, but how could I not share it with you? My heart is immensely grateful to God that everything turned out well and also to each of you for the many expressions of love and support that allowed this to reach a happy ending.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. I wish that our good Lord blesses you abundantly, and now we continue forward with our ministry and in this new stage of parenting.

Beautiful and blessed day!

Heber y Angelina.