Baby 5 Birth!
The last few weeks has really been amazing - and not what people would say in a good way. We have had drama after drama with some things happening that just seem ridiculous. Some of them have threatened the existence (forever) of our business, the completion of our house with literally more problems than could be imagines with what would seem to be simple things and sickness. But our reactions have not been that of fear or stress - but of acceptance.
We always knew that we were biting off more than we could chew here. Business isn’t a focus so finances are tight, building a house is draining and we we don’t have the knowledge or skills that would be seen as essential, homeschooling alone is a full time commitment and the upkeep of a property for fires / snakes / orchard etc could be overwhelming.
But God has brought us to a place where we can freely and easily accept whatever happens - if we need to walk away form the property - ok - if we need to close the business? - no worries.
It’s all in His hands and we don’t strive to have this reaction - He has brought us to this freedom through many trials and through ministering His love, truth and faithfulness to us.
Over the last 24 hours we’ve had more than average snake encounters, Emu catching and chook re-locations thrown into the mix - but then tonight we let my daughter use a birthday voucher for a driving lesson in the Troopy. She can’t touch the pedals yet, though she did really well - until steering down a ‘pit’ (dug for yellow sand for our house pad). We didn’t tip - but the only way out was to let the tyres down and use another vehicle to tow…
In the middle of this someone returned our trailer and unused cement so it was about 10pm by the time we got the kids into bed. An hour and a half later, as I was just getting into bed dog tired from a few nights poor sleep, Sharmini awoke with a strong contraction.
There was no concern - she’d had a few over the last week - so after going to the toilet she came back to bed. But she couldn’t sleep and then there was another contraction. After a few I decided I better go start pumping the tyres up in the Troopy and pack my bag for the ‘hospital trip’.
Sharmini has always been quick to inform me when it is time to go to the hospital - each of our dramatic births has been long - the shortest was 10 hours in labour. Due to complications and literal fights with the doctors she has always wanted to leave things as long as possible as things get harder and slower at the hospital - but we really need the expertise of ‘Shoulder distosia’ trained doctors. This time we had sensed that God was fine with us going to Joondalup - closer though arguably not quite as prepared as King Edward (where we have previously been forced to go).
So I’m out in the rain for at least 30 minutes - maybe an hour when Sharmini sends me a text “hurry please”. This could mean she wants to sleep, wants me to get her food, wants to talk, is bored or… Anyway I head down to find her in the middle of another strong contraction.
She wants a shower. I’m surprised thinking ‘boy these contractions are strong and close together’ but I run the shower as I’m used to her being in control - knowing better - it is her body after all. I should have remembered the last few ministry sessions where God reassured her that HE was in control and she didn’t need to be…but I didn’t. Not until a few contractions later anyway!
I started timing the contractions - 2 minutes apart and lasting for nearly a minute… !! She says to me “what should we do - when do you think we should go” - it finally dawned on me - she was not in control! She was waiting for me!! I calmly told her to relax and then ran to get the kids up. They were all packed and most got up within seconds - getting the car running and getting it out of 4WD etc etc.
We are around 1 hour from Joondalup Hospital and now the contractions are, well, strong. She can’t sit in the car through them. I’m driving as smoothly and fast as the Troopy will allow, phoning my parents to arrange them to meet us to look after the kids - and trying to explain to the kids about childbirth, contractions and that mum is ok despite the screams! We need to stop regularly to let her out. I phone the hospital to say we’re coming in…
15 minutes later I phone back to ask them when we should be thinking about calling an ambulance as she is getting very close - the nurse has just finished reading Sharmini’s complicated history and is questioning whether she should be panicking now (reported to me later). “Does she feel the need to push?” - I replied “I don’t think so but let me ask. She is going through another contraction and it’s obvious the end is close. The nurse is saying call the ambulance…call the ambulance!
I ring the ambulance and talk to them for a while but they can’t find Wanneroo Rd in Yanchep or Two Rocks (!) - nope no Indian Ocean drive either. As I am talking to them, Sharmini shouts “here’s the head!”.
At this stage we are travelling at quite some speed - I have the phone in my right hand my left hand grabbing for the head, my right knee steering. I pull over fast, skid to a halt and run to the other side - just in time to catch the baby, untangling the cord from the baby and lifting him to his mum. Yes it all happened that fast - maybe faster!
“Is it s a girl or a boy” were the next words I heard from the other end of the phone. This question seemed like a dream…Did that just happen? Is it alive? Is it really out? Is Sharmini ok? It’s a BOY! The kids are all excited and (as you can imagine) in various states of awe / shock. Sharmini is in lots of pain, but baby just lying on her chest - quite content or possibly in trouble. It seems too quiet and content.
I find a dressing gown to wrap him in - then clean things up the best I can and get back in to keep driving. I tell the ambulance I’ll head to the hospital - we’re still 30 minutes away and they still can’t find Wanneroo Rd. Now things seem surreal!
A little later I get a phone call back form the ambulance - they are going to meet us south of Yanchep - as it turns out we met them at Ocean View - they start checking baby as she delivers the ‘rest’, then we transfer her to the ambulance where I cut the cord, more clean up and we're headed to hospital. Apgar score = 10!
The dirt track that just 'happened' to be there right when the baby was coming out...
safe off Wanneroo rd a short 3 minutes stop to deliver the baby - then off again!
We met my parents at hospital - with them and the kids being able to get a first glimpse at their new brother. Upstairs and we felt nearly famous - everyone full of smiles and help. It seems everyone had heard of the 'event'. The doctor was even very respectful when Sharmini resisted the drip. As always they get concerned and have protocol to follow with certain things - but we believe that God is in control and the less we interfere the better. The doctor relented and allowed us to pray, wait and put baby on the breast to see if things cleared up - they did! First baby with no drip! And no birthing problems!
We got to hospital some time around 3am - I think it was 9:30am and they let her out. After a quick visit to my parents and some food we headed home - back in the gate 11 hours after leaving! Very, very tired but feeling blessed, though vague and kind of dreamy.
It is still hard to accept as reality - but we again believe this is a miracle - it just looks very different to the others.
In other, more problematic births, we had ‘faith’ that God would bring us through - we had ‘faith’ in the outcome. But this time, God has really brought us closer to Him in true trust, and confidence in Him - despite the outcome. We both had complete peace that whatever happened (yes even the ‘worst&rsquo
we would be ok and we would accept it - as part of His plan for us. He knows best and wants the best for us - even though sometimes it doesn't seem so good. The following verse sums it up perfectly:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
* If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
* If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is
(2 Timothy 2:11-13 NLT)
Well, yet again we are amazed at His faithfulness, love and character. At no point will He ever let us down - even when we let Him down. And as always the journey and abiding in Him is so much more than any expected or hoped for outcome.
What a faithful God!
Conclusion: He is Faithful
PRAYER: Lord, while it is easy to be thankful with the good outcomes, help us see through our current situation(s) and see you in all your Glory - in your love - in your faithfulness - for who You Are. Help us face the things that hinder us fully trusting you - the things that lie hidden and dormant that affect and at times control us to turn away from you. Thank you that your truth is available to us to completely transform us - that no matter how much we fail, no matter how weak we are - you, the One True God is strong and mighty and in control.
NOTES:
Thank you to all who prayed and supported us - we are all tired but doing very, very well. We even managed to get to church today and bought some needed groceries for the new season of ‘dad n kids cooking’. Bring it on!
Please Note: We are not advocating people try to have home births with no one present!