A midwife gives birth to her first baby
The sun was setting on the beach and the wind was starting to pick up. I heard a voice in my heart say “he’s coming.” I started packing up my things and heading back to my campsite. As soon as I finished eating dinner, maya texted me that she was in labor.
She asked me to tell the girls to light their candles 🕯️
During Maya’s mother blessing we hand dipped beeswax taper candles and held them in our hands as we prayed over her journey into motherhood.
We all lit our candles, some were burning at restaurant dinners, at workplaces, and even in a car as someone made the drive home from work.
30 mins passed and Maya asked me to head over. Things were progressing pretty quickly.
I pulled up in my my car listening to the song “mother of the water.”
When I walked into her house the same song was playing… at first I thought my phone had connected to their speaker but it hadn’t. She was playing the same song.
I opened the door and was of course greeted by her very excited dogs, Baby and Ravioli. Chris was cleaning the kitchen and I could hear Maya laboring in the living room.
The first thing she said to me was “I’m being really loud”. Perfect.
I waited through the waves of her next contraction and then asked if there was anything she needed. She asked me to tidy the couch and add some essential oils to the diffuser in the entryway.
After a few more contractions, Maya was ready to get in the tub. With each contraction, her voice opened and allowed the waves of intensity to be expressed through sound.
Soon, Mandy (her midwife and bestfriend) arrived. She greeted the dogs and started organizing her equipment as Maya continued to sing her labor song.
Maya checked herself and was 8 cm dilated. Things were moving a lot faster than she had anticipated. We decided it was time to tell her sisters and mom to head over.
Olivia arrived first, she came with snacks, a happy birthday banner, and her puppy Whiskey. Shortly after, her other sister Nicole.
Courtney, the birth assistant arrived. And then maya’s mom who immediately upon entering the room, started crying.
7 of us. Holding space for Maya in quiet anticipation.
Maya labored in the birth tub for about an hour. One hand gripping a labor comb, one hand squeezing her beloved’s hand.
She moved to the toilet in the living room for a few contractions. Checking herself she announced that her cervix was gone.
She tried the tub for one contraction and then decided to move to the bed. I was in the nursery getting some footage of the decorations when I heard some excited commotion.
Mayas water had broken. So forcefully, it shot out and hit her bedroom door. Maya didn’t stay in the bed for very long. She decided to move back to the toilet.
Her cries turned into roars and it became clear to me that the baby was not far away.
Maya reached down and felt his head bulging. “Chris look”. In the next contraction, Damian’s head was out.
All huddled in the doorway, crying and squealing with excitement, we remind ourselves of Maya’s wishes….to remain silent as Maya brought her baby into her arms. To allow space for the magical moments of bonding to take place.
Maya stood up and on her next push she brought her son into the world. He was expertly caught above the toilet by Mandy.
The moments that followed were some of the most sacred glimpses of life I have ever witnessed.
As Maya’s birth hormones surged through her, she took in her baby with total awe and ecstasy.
She cried, shook, and tenderly spoke to her son, “oh baby, oh baby, oh baby boy”.
Damian let out a big wail and we found ourselves all sobbing right alongside him. Maya, Chris, Mandy, me behind the camera, Courtney, her sisters, her mother.
All of us found ourselves staring into the face of heaven on earth. Time seemed to stand still.
After several minutes of stillness, Mandy helped Maya to get up and carefully walk to bed. Every one was beaming, huddled around her this new family, witnessing and giggling.
We all took Damian in. The cuteness of his tiny buttcrack, his curly hair, and “big ole paws.”
Mayas placenta was born and she was able to bring Damian up to her chest, he immediately tried to latch.
The excitement continued as Mandy and Courtney did the newborn exam on the foot of the bed. Damian was born 8 pounds 7 ounces and 20.5 inches long.
He pooped several times during the exam which we all thought was pretty funny.
We brought Maya some broth and her mom prepared what has become known in their family as “the birth salad.” Kale, nuts, veggies, and homemade dressing.
After eating and helping Maya with any final support, we wished this very special new family good night and tried to fall asleep as best we could.
