The birth that bridged me from a girl to a mom. I dreamt of being a mom since I was a little girl—it was my greatest wish. But when we started trying, nothing happened for three long years. The constant questions like, “Are you pregnant yet?” or “Do you know how to do it?” were unbearable. Finally, after surrendering to God and receiving a special healing facial, I got pregnant! We were thrilled. Next came the decision on where to birth her.
I had always wanted a home birth, having been born at home myself, but our insurance wouldn’t cover it, and we couldn’t afford it. I chose Tarzana Hospital, close to where we lived, and decided on a natural, unmedicated birth. On November 4th, 2011, I woke up at 5 a.m. to my water breaking. I labored at home as long as I could, taking a bath, breathing through contractions, and leaning on Max for support. By 6:45 a.m., we headed to the hospital. The pain in the car was overwhelming, but I prayed for strength and kept going.
When we arrived, I was in the zone, unable to speak to the nurses. I climbed onto the hospital bed, and Max suddenly exclaimed, “Mary, I see her head!” I couldn’t believe it. Laughing in disbelief, I realized I wouldn’t spend the whole day pushing. The nurses weren’t even ready—no gloves, no IV, no monitoring. It was chaotic yet wonderful. She came fast and furious, just like her personality now. It was a beautiful, glorious birth.
A Birth I’ll Never Forget
I’ve been a doula for 12 years. I’ve attended and supported many births, and these days, there aren’t many "firsts" for me. But recently, I had the honor of experiencing something truly unforgettable — a powerful moment that reminded me why I do this work. After...
