Elizabeth's Birth Story - Part 4

We watched the CTG monitor for contractions with great anticipation, which had reached the telltale peak of 100 kPa and beyond. The nurses coached Catherine on how to push and breathe, and Catherine locked eyes with mine as we breathed in unison. I can’t really describe the sensation of watching your child’s head emerge from her mother. In a word, surreal. Catherine was pushing like a champ. I really wanted to get a picture of her face, as this was undoubtedly the most strain and tension I had ever seen. Not the most flattering, however, so I thought better of it and scrapped the idea altogether.

The nurses and midwives were pouring lubricating jelly all over baby’s crown as she emerged further and further. Finally, at 1:45 PM, her entire head abruptly popped out. The nurses immediately changed their coaching. “Stop, stop, stop! Breathe slowly!” Minnie, the head midwife, started to suction out mouth and nose. And then, the final push. One last major contraction, a huge push, and baby’s body emerged in entirety from Catherine’s body. The umbilical cord was loosely wrapped around her neck twice, but Minnie skillfully untangled the cord. She later described this as a “double miracle”, because even one wraparound too tight can be fatal. Another tender mercy from heaven! Baby’s birthday – June 17th, 2010, 1:45 PM.

The word “miraculous” does not do justice to the experience of welcoming a new life into the world. I stood at the foot of the bed humbled, dumbfounded, amazed, and grateful as the little figure transformed from a pale and lifeless tabernacle of clay to a vibrant, active, and charismatic daughter. She was the perfect gift offered from a merciful Heavenly Father, and I had never felt the veil so thin as at that moment. All of a sudden, I understood exactly what others have attempted to convey to me when describing the birth of a child. I also realized that it would be impossible to ever put to words that sweet and spiritual experience.

Somewhat bewildered but exhilarated nonetheless, we placed her on Catherine’s chest to bond and keep warm. We waited just a few moments to enjoy her before I clamped and cut the umbilical cord. Again, I was humbled to reflect on how Catherine’s body had created such perfection and sustained baby’s life through this thick, membranous cord. Wow! What an incredible miracle! The nurses placed her under the heating lamp to finish the wipe down, and then placed her onto the scale for her official stats: 49 cm (19.25 inches), and 3,435 grams (7 lbs. 9 oz.).

What followed was a flurry of activity – vaccinations, vitals testing, a bath, and a swaddle. Let the record show that baby was tenacious from minute one. One of the nurses and I gave her a bath, and she was so upset that she grabbed a nearby pile of hand towels and was tossing them, to and fro, one by one. So much personality already!

And then, a still, spiritual silence with our new little girl began. Catherine held her close, I sat next to Catherine, the nurses disappeared, and we were finally alone, together in the calm darkness of the delivery room. These were sweet moments to bond as the new and improved Ethington family.

First up on the family business docket: what to call baby? Now, that I haven’t named her in this story as of yet is deliberate. Truth be told, Catherine and I had a narrow list of names, but we determined that we would have to see her face to know the right one. Even after all of our conversations and discussions over the past several months, a name proposed but ten hours before made it to the #2 slot. We’ll keep that name in our pocket for now, just in case (wink wink). However, it didn’t take more than three or four minutes to decide her rightful name once and for all. Her name was definitely Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Ethington, long a name accompanied by debate about two capital E’s in a name, two “eth” sequences together, no supporting middle name, and a name not present in any recent heritage. But the name is also beloved, classic, professional, dignified, and royal, not to mention versatile for nicknames: Elle, Ella, Eliza, Liz, Lizzy, Liza, Lizard, Beth, Betty, and Betsy. Two weeks later, as I finish this story, we’ve added a few more endearing nicknames to the lot: Snack Pak, Short Stack, Juice Box, Stink Pot, Hop Scotch, Poopie Pants, Muffin Mix, Stinker Bum, Snookie, and Sweetie Pants. Grandpa Mark calls her “Little Squirt” – a name befitting to say the least.

So there you have it. I will admit that I have spared many details (most of them bloody), but hopefully I’ve done justice to such an unforgettable experience. Catherine has never experienced such intense pain or joy. She valiantly endured 13 hours of natural labor and left the delivery room with rips, tears, and bruises. I had some minor indigestion and a lousy nap, but for the most part it was just joy for me. We were uncertain about delivering this baby into the world in the United Arab Emirates, but our experience could not have been better (though we could have done without the 120 degree summer weather – who’s idea was that?!?).

I feel humbled and eternally grateful to Catherine for her meticulous and calculated preparation for Elizabeth’s safe arrival. From the day we learned she was pregnant to the final minutes before delivery, Elizabeth’s safety and well-being has always been first priority. Her efforts and sacrifice, coupled with the endless blessings and tender mercies of our loving Heavenly Father, have changed our lives forever. Any attempt I have ever made to describe joy prior to June 17th, 2010 has been blatantly and ignorantly incomplete.

True joy is in our posterity.

Welcome to our family, Elizabeth.

Mom and Dad