Birthed in Prayers

On February 7, 2020, Rebekah went into labor. She was determined and worked hard. No epidural. No medicines. Rebekah could not have done it without our amazing Doula, Aimee Roberts. It took about six hours from check in for her to dilate to 10cm. While she was pushing they noticed Josiah’s heart rate dropping. They had Rebekah reposition herself but the heart rate continued to drop. I felt disorientated trying to listen to everyone, looking at the monitors and backing away from Rebekah as more people entered the room. A doctor came in to assess the situation. She said, Rebekah you need to roll on to your left side, but she didn’t want to because the contractions were more intense in that position. Rebekah asked if they could give her a minute, the doctor said you don’t have a minute. The baby needs you to get on your left side now. She complied immediately, though extremely intense. The heart rate continued to drop. The doctor made the decision to attempt a vacuum-assisted delivery, but wanted to perform the procedure in the Operation Room (OR).

I was next to Rebekah as they carted her down the hall to the OR. She went through the doors but they stopped me to put on scrubs. Everything became surreal. I was panicking in a frozen state. I could hear what was spoken to me but I wasn’t able to process what was being said. Then a nurse firmly said, “Dad! We need to get you in there now.”

As I entered the OR, seeing everyone maneuvering around Rebekah, fear was setting in. There was so much commotion, the doctor’s frustrated with what wasn’t happening or wasn’t not available. I felt like I was getting in the way. I just kept close to Rebekah holding her hand. I will be honest, I didn’t pray. I was immobilized. Fear can do that.

Then for a moment Josiah’s heart rate went up and the doctor started to use the vacuum-assisted device. She told Rebekah to push as hard as she could. I’ve never seen someone so exhausted push with every ounce of their life to save another. I saw the device slowly come out, grasping Josiah’s head, then it slipped. Blood splattered everywhere, including across me. They attempted a second time but it didn’t even grasp. When the nurse informed the doctor that the heart rate was dropping she said “We’re losing the baby.” The doctor told Rebekah and I they needed to get the baby out right then with an emergency C-section. Because Rebekah didn’t have an epidural, she had to go under general anesthesia immediately. The doctor looked at me and said, “We will take good care of her”, followed by someone else saying “Get dad out of here”. I leaned down and told Rebekah that I loved her, she tightened her hand and told me the same. As I walked out, more staff were entering. I looked back at the controlled chaos in the room, seeing blood splattered on everything white. Not what I had imagined for Josiah’s birth.

The nurse took me to a room nearby. While waiting, I just remembered the doctor’s last words to me, “We will take good care of her”. But she didn’t mention the baby. She didn’t say them, only her.

Last February 7, 2019, Rebekah and I shared with everyone the loss of our first pregnancy. Now, fear turned to dread for this February 7th.

I sent out only a few texts. I had no idea how those few texts became a call to prayer.

CBN had people literally around the world praying. Our church, New Life had teams interceding, and one of our pastors was out of state, but still rallied prayer warriors.

As fast as the surgical team was assembled to deliver Josiah, our family, church and workplace mobilized quickly to intercede on his behalf.

While waiting alone in the room, I heard a loud cry. It was Josiah. That cry was the most beautiful sound. One of victory.

I will never complain about being woken up by Josiah crying. I will always be reminded of that night.

One of the last texts I received was from our Pastor, “Josiah was birthed in prayers tonight.”

Yes he was. God is good. He is faithful. Thank you to all of the amazing medical teams at DePaul WomanCare Centers, everyone for praying, interceding and believing for Josiah’s safe delivery. Now, let us introduce you to Josiah. Our adventure begins...