When I’m at your birth, there’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.

My phone’s ring wakes me up. It’s your husband, and he’s anxiously telling me that your water broke 15 minutes ago and the contractions are coming on fast. I can hear your vocalizing sounds in the background.
“I’m coming now.” I am lit up with excitement and anticipation, because I’m about to witness another miracle.

I grab my clothes and quickly get dressed in the dark. I try not to wake up my family as I stumble through the house. The eagerness hasn’t dwindled through the years. I’m in the car in 10 minutes, heading your way. Every time I drive through the dark night, it’s as if your birth is the first ever I get to witness.

The birth of a baby is the most sacred thing I’ve ever known, and being a part of it over and over feeds my soul. I meet you in the birth room, and jump in immediately. I try to watch you and your partner through a contraction or two to see how you’ve been coping together so far. This helps me find the need and fill it. My hands find your sore spots, I match your rhythm, I slow your breathing and bring your water bottle to your mouth to encourage you to stay hydrated. You’re both implementing all the techniques we practiced and talked about in our prenatal appointments. I encourage your partner who’s anxious and excited, and show him the hip squeeze that’s going to change your life. He’s relieved he knows how to help.

You call to him each time a contraction builds again. “It’s happening! Do the squeeze! NO! Higher! Yah, right there!”

He and I make eye contact, and I smile and affirm he’s doing everything right.

There’s a moment between the contractions where we all just rest and breathe together. There’s so much intensity. There’s so much beauty. I call our attention to it all. We sit in this sacred space, in this moment together.

I stay close to you, we stay on top of them, we all feel the miracle is coming, and we’re just along for the ride. 


When she’s coming, we hold on to you. We make eye contact between every contraction. You’re seeking confirmation it’s supposed to be this intense, I nod, and remind you you’re doing everything just right, your baby knows just exactly what to do. I grab your partner’s shoulder and squeeze it, reminding him everything is just as it should be.

And then, she’s here. I step back. This moment is for you three. You earned it, it’s yours. I grab your phone and take pictures as you live this moment of ecstasy together. I’m not thinking of the coffee date I missed out on, or the girl’s night I’m going to skip in order to catch back up on sleep. I’m right there, in this time and space with you. It’s the only place in the world I want to be.

And I thank you with all my heart for trusting me to be there for it.