How a Sunday of Service Could Change Your Life

Four weeks ago, my wife Leah and I welcomed our first child into the world (that's him in my arms in the picture above), but not without significant challenge for Leah. Leah was in labor for 49 hours -- never having a break of more than 12 minutes between contractions -- which culminated in 3.5 hours of pushing, and she accepted no pain medication. After 2.5 hours of pushing, the delivery team told Leah that they were worried she might not be able to get our son out without the help of forceps or suction. The team told Leah she had 30 minutes. If she couldn't get his head to crown in 30 minutes of pushing, they were going to help with forceps or suction. These tools are not dangerous, per se, but there are some risks involved in using them. It didn't seem very likely that our son's head would crown in 30 minutes, and I got the sense that the delivery team didn't think there was any way it would happen. I learned something new about Leah that day. I've never seen a more determined person in my life. After being in labor about 48 hours and having pushed for 2.5 hours, Leah somehow mustered the strength to push so hard that our son's head did start to crown. The delivery team looked incredulous, but they happily got ready to help her deliver the baby without forceps or suction. My wife's effort has elevated her to the status of "real-life super hero" in my mind. We learned quickly, as all parents do, that caring for a newborn involves many struggles. Although most of th...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news