Baby Liam was born on February 24, 2021 right as the sun was shining its last light over his family farm, creating halos around the fluffy highland cows & goats in the field out back awaiting his arrival.
It had snowed the night before; blanketing the land momentarily before his older siblings footprints created patterns all around the grass that morning.
Inside, Mama labored with the support of Papa in the dark, warm home. Unmedicated, fully surrendering to the process and trusting her body, Mama cried calls that sounded primal and strong, echoing the ancient song of the women before her, held strong in the loving arms of Papa.
As I boiled pot after pot of water, filling steamy buckets and carrying them down the hall to the blue birthing tub I learned the ebb + flow of the call of the mother bringing in her third baby into the world.
The birth portal was opening and the windows were fogging up from the water that would soon warmly welcome a little pisces boy into his home.
The midwife, doula & I quietly weaved in and out of the bedroom, as the calls increased. Their intuition was to check & support Mama & Papa bear while also giving them space to flow into the experience with ease, I did my best to follow suit.
I played Native flutes & feminine meditative music, hung string lights on the walls & shuffled little ones back to the playroom where my sister kept them entertained.
My chin quivered & eyes filled with tears as I witnessed a man fully support his wife in her birthing process. He was present for every need, every cry, every back rub, sip of water. He held her so fully and tenderly as she surrendered to the intense process her body was going through, filling the space with his love for her. Their bond was strengthening in front of my eyes.
As the day went on the sun melted nearly all the snow, the cows & goats stayed close to the house, we all agreed they knew that someone was soon to enter the world.
AnaMaria labored until her body told her it was time to push. She welcomed her children in the room and spoke so sweetly to them during the small periods of time when she was not contracting. She remained calm and grounded, riding the waves with strength and grace. It felt so primal, she was mesmerizing.
As the sun went down, it was time. AnaMaria pushed for 9 minutes before baby Liam entered the world, with his big brother sitting behind his daddy excitedly awaiting his arrival.
