Caleb Henry was born to us on Sunday 25th November. Caleb, meaning 'wholehearted'**; Henry, after my dad. Our prayer is that he would serve the Lord wholeheartedly - with all his heart, mind, soul and strength.
For those who'd like some of the birth story, it starts in the early hours of Sunday morning. I've had lots of vivid dreams this pregnancy and had woken in the wee hours of the morning disturbed by another. I came downstairs to read my Bible for a bit to settle myself, and as I did I found myself 'pouring' my feelings and thoughts about the pregnancy to God. While I talked I kept thinking of 'ask and you will receive' for some reason, so I asked that bubs would be born soon (and if not, that God would help me wait patiently). Then I went back to bed.
That morning I woke up uncomfortable. After church I went for a big walk but nothing seemed definite. After lunch Jon went out shopping while I rested. About 2pm I texted him to let him know I was having 7 minute contractions. By 5pm they were 2-4 minutes but manageable with some walking and hip circling. Jon took the girls swimming while I walked beside the pool through contractions. All the while I was hesitant to call this the 'real thing' - my due date still being 6 days away.
By 7pm we thought we'd better call my friend, Sarah, to come over - just in case. The contractions dropped back to every 6 minutes, but we put the girls to bed and called the hospital. We got to the hospital about 7:30pm and because the contractions were still only about 6 minutes apart we walked around a little before going to the birth suite. I felt silly at having come in so soon. At ten to 8pm we were admitted into the birth suite, where my contractions picked up again, and I was told I was about 7-8 cm dilated (I was pleasantly surprised by that!). The midwife left us to ourselves and as soon as she left the room my waters broke, the pain escalated and I had to start pushing. Jon called the midwife back and Caleb was born not long after - at 8:09pm.
While I wouldn't call labour easy, it was my 'easiest' labour. The pain only became really unbearable after my waters broke, and then Caleb came within 10 minutes! No tears or stitches, no pain relief, no interventions. Another safe and healthy natural birth. Thank you God.
A couple of hours later we were transferred to the maternity ward for the night (I didn't get any sleep), and eventually got out of the hospital just after noon on Monday (I was very keen to get home).
Abigail is a very proud big sister - she likes to hold Caleb and to put blankets on him in bed. Sarah likes to give him a little pat on the head every now and then. They both seem pleased to have the baby out of mummy's tummy. I am amazed at how big Sarah now seems to me - she's not a little girl anymore! And Caleb, for all the fussing the doctors did, was a perfectly healthy size - 49cm, 3.52kg (7lb 12ozs).
We are very blessed.
** ḵôl (ךל), meaning "all, the whole of" + lêḇ (לב), meaning 'heart, mind, will, understanding' (Strongs h 3606 + 3820), as opposed to the usual ḵâlêḇ (ךלב), meaning 'dog' (Strongs h3612). Caleb was repeatedly described (including by God himself!) as having followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Numbers 14:24 says, "But my servant Caleb has a different spirit. He follows me with his whole heart..." (see also Numbers 23:12, Deuteronomy 1:36, Joshua 14:14).
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