On March 6th at 4pm, In much disbelief that I was still pregnant, I was headed into my last official OBGYN appointment at 40 weeks and 1 day. I had been having small cramps for several days but was trying to ignore them to avoid the mind games that come with labor! This particular day, I was feeling hot, clammy, and even my husband said I looked very flush! I wrote it off as well…being 40 weeks pregnant!

As I’m sitting with my doctor, we discovered that my blood pressure was higher than it normally is. Nothing alarming, but it was slowly creeping up. Although, Induction wasn’t my first choice, I knew for the health and safety of my baby and myself it was probably best to go to the hospital the next morning to have the baby. Messing with blood pressure wasn’t something I was interested in and knowing that I was already over 40 weeks and how well my body responds to inductions, I trusted my doctor with my life and was at total peace with it! We left the appointment knowing we were having a baby over the weekend!

After the appointment, we arranged for our daughter to stay with her grandparents, ate a good dinner, packed the car and totally prepped our hearts and minds for an induction. I climbed into bed around 10pm, restless, holding my belly praying over this baby and what I knew was to come!

Around 12:30am, I woke to mild cramping, but just like the previous cramping experiences, I ignored them and fell back to sleep. Around 2:30am, I woke up to the strongest urge to hop in our huge garden tub, turn on the salt lamp, and listened to CeCe Winans. I had zero pain, no cramping, but just felt this huge urge to be submerged in hot water! I spent about 45 minutes in the tub, praying and speaking to God. Turning on “Refiner”, I began to do what I said I wanted to do before I went into labor. I fully surrendered my heart, my body, and this labor to the Lord. Clinging to the lyrics “Take whatever you desire, Lord here’s my life.” “Clean my hands, purify my heart, I want to burn for you and only you”.

As I’m rocking my hips back and forth in the water, “Goodness Of God” starts playing. I couldn’t help but think about every single detail we encountered on this journey. The faith that was tested, the marriage that was challenged, the trenches we were pulled out of, the things that God ordained, the medical team he put in place to cover us and heal us and our hearts. I remember ending the tub with my favorite hymn, “Sanctuary”! “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy! With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”

I turn off my headphones, drain the tub and step down to gather my towel to dry off. The split moment I grab my towel, intense contractions begin and I feel the urge to sit on the toilet. Around 3:30am, I get the motivation to go lay back down in bed. I knew I was about to get up to go eat at Waffle House before going in for my 6am induction but wanted to lay down as long as I could. I start heavy breathing and moaning really loud. My husband rolls over and ask if I was ok. “I think I MIGHT be in labor” was my response. I start timing my contractions at 3:48am, 1 minute apart and contractions were average 45seconds-a minute!

I called my doula/photographer, Kristen Shorey (Clover and Bloom Birth). We all agreed to just go ahead and go to the hospital since I was scheduled for an induction in 2 hours anyway. Trying to get into the car felt like an eternity with the contractions. Every minute I was having to either sit on the toilet or lean over a huge pile of blankets on the bed. With the help and knowledge of Julie’s Mindful Birth class, my husband was able to assist in the labor and knew the signs to look for when transitioning into the next phase of labor.

We leave for the hospital, and the entire ride my husband is hearing and seeing every sign of “transition”. He is now flying to the hospital! Things are progressing extremely fast! At 5am, I arrive at the hospital and see the security desk. I try to walk to the desk to check in, I can’t walk! I start crawling! I’m hovered over the security desk, trying to breathe and screaming! We get to the elevator entrance, immediate nausea. Between the nausea and contractions, I left about a 20ft puddle of urine in the lobby (which I’m sure wasn’t the worst that’s happened in that lobby😂🥴).

I exit the elevator and was met in the hallway by my nurses. They begin to check me while my husband goes and gets our bags from the car. Next thing I hear, “Dad… she’s a seven but progressing fast”. Nurses begin to whisper, towels being placed under me in case my water broke, and the blue table was wheeled out. I look at my nurse and say “the blue table…I’m not a 7 am I?.. I’m about have this baby….”. She looks at me in the eyes and says.. “Honey, the hard part is over. I want you to know you are tough as nails”…

I immediately start staring at her and weeping. It was almost like God was using her to remind me of the ultimate sacrifice he did for me. The hard part, being as tough as the nails he endured, he paid the ultimate price that doesn’t even compare to the pain I feel right now! (In the end, I found out I was really NINE centimeters…not seven!).

At 6:15am, in walks Dr. Hill. The doctor we prayed over…the one who walked with us through our first pregnancy and miscarriage! The keeper of our gender! The flashbacks start rolling in! He lifts up the sheet to check what’s going on and says “you’re a 10… want to meet baby in a few minutes?” I begin to start pushing and the nurses look out the window and I hear “oh look… the sun is coming up”. A few more pushes later I hear… “ok, here we go… it’s…. ANOTHER GIRL”! Our miracle rainbow blessing arrived at 7:03am! Healthy and happy! We ended our delivery with our doctor praying over us and the miracle in my arms! The most emotional ride of my life!

Before I ever went into labor, I reflected on how I envisioned it playing out. The only thing I wanted was to ride the labor wave. I wanted to feel the pain, I wanted to be reminded of the grace and mercy Gods given me, the ultimate sacrifice and his blessing of a new life for me. He allowed for me to labor from my home and removed all knowing that I was even in labor from my mind. He gave me the peace and calm before the storm! The time of surrender and time with him I desperately wanted! Everything I ever wanted in a labor, he gave to me! Everything I ever prayed for, he answered! We tried to control the birth with an induction, and after I surrendered my labor and delivery to him, he took over and led the way leaving me with a spontaneous labor!

I always say my kids have changed my life. Our first daughter, Campbell, gave me a new meaning of life. She made me a mother! Our miscarriage gave me desire to change my heart and long for a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ! But the birth of Drew allowed me to see his goodness and witness it with my own eyes! Which is why I love the meaning of her name, strong and wise! The pure definition of this labor and exactly who God is in this story! He truly is in the details, and I know without a doubt Drew is going to lead someone to Christ one day!

Julie, we can’t thank you enough for your knowledge and guidance! Your classes gave us so much confidence and education during our labor and birth! My husband knew exactly what sounds to listen for and knew exactly how to help me! It was the best!