Christian UC: Unassisted Childbirth

Thoughts On UC From A Father of Three

I really never had a thought on having our babies in the hospital before our first of four came along. I am a researcher by nature and enjoy finding out the root cause of a thing searching out a matter of what, why and how. So knowing the racket that the medical industry is about, my wife and I had already desired to believe in the Lord for our healing needs first and not as last thought or final plea. Not to say that God couldn't use doctors or hospitals; it's in regards to how or to what extent one trusts in the Lord. Birthing is a natural process and beautiful in and of itself the way God has created it. Birthing is quite a glorious thing the Lord does. I did not see this so much before our first child was born or even after that first delivery. But in each one there is a greater love of each child and the miracle the Lord does in delivering. [Isaiah 66]

For our first child, Nici, there was quite a thrill and joy in preparing for her birth. We prayed many times about the Lord directing us concerning preparation for our first home birth. While two or more months pregnant and traveling a few states away, we believe the Lord used a person that gave us a book called Born in Zion. That book became a blessing to us in encouraging us in the level of trusting the Lord that we felt he was having us walk in.

Let me just be clear here about books, authors and other peoples' opinions as well as my own opinion here. I believe much of what is said in the book we read is correct and true, BUT each person/couple considering homebirth has to pray and seek God's face and find his peace in the way the Lord would have them go. It is not "I'll trust in this book" or "that person" to do this or that or on emotions. We need to go on what the Lord is speaking to us in our heart, and as we obey him, his peace always comes. He will always honor faith of sincere people as they have sought his heart.

I learned as much as I could reading about other homebirths and experiences of midwives. My wife also read about caring for her body during pregnancy, caring for newborns, breastfeeding, etc. We learned the simple things that needed to be done before, during and after the birth. We continue to pray that the Lord prepare us for the birth, and we asked my wife's friends that supported our decision to join in on a one-time prayer time about a month before the due date. We had prayed about whom we would invite to the birth for prayer support when the time of birth arrived. For us it was important to have each step bathed in prayer. That may sound super-spiritual, but that is our relationship with the Lord.

I am blessed to encourage future fathers considering having a home birth-- that having them is much simpler then what one's first thoughts of it would be. One thing that makes a difference during the whole time is keeping your peace and the peace of God within you. This is where people praying can be a blessing.

It all started one fall, September 20th around 11:00pm, my wife's mother and sister were visiting at the time when she started having the big ones she knew were for real. We had everything pretty much prepared, and so we started to call the friends that we had invited to come and pray and witness our first miracle. We didn ft have a hard due date and we figured we were about 2 weeks past due, so when we called them they were very excited. Seven or eight of them came at different times and we went though a long labor. I was pretty high on excitement but tried not to show all of it, you know being a man I had to keep my cool! I fell asleep on the bed with her a couple times. We all took turns quoting Scripture verses from cards we had prepared beforehand, or playing her favorite soft music to help my wife through the contractions. She was King during those hard hours.

The joys of holding your own child as he or she comes out, it ... well ... words are not there to explain it. Watching him/her take the first breath or cry is such a joy and glory of fatherhood. Understand, I didn ft say it made fatherhood-- just that it's a great blessing to be a part of it. Our firstborn, a girl, was born the next evening, 21 hours after labor began.

The other two children were born with only one or so friends with us and were just as special if not more. I know that having less people with us was another step of faith He was leading us in the rewards were richer indeed for obeying. The deliveries were shorter: 5 and 7 hours respectfully. Now we are expecting our 4th (and possible 5th-- maybe twins!) and we are excited for what God will do.

There are many Scriptural ramifications in the Bible regarding what is done in the name of safety and procedure in the West regarding Doctor/hospital births. Among only a few it has been a blessing not having some stranger or man see and touch my wife. Not cutting flesh just to get the babies out to avoid possible problems or lawsuits. Also we have not had to hear the possibly of any suspect or evil reports from medical professionals about our babies (Remember the 12 spies and how Joshua and Caleb gave a good report and the other 10 gave a bad? - No, I am not saying that all medical professionals are evil.)

Parents, and fathers in particular, have a great responsibility regarding who we give authority to in caring for, rearing and raising our children. The final responsibility, whether you call it spiritual or physical (which cannot be separated anyway), will always rest with parents.

Praise God for his great love for his children.

Dan

About the Author:
Dan Groff is a husband of 5 years and father of 3 children, all born at home, unassisted. Having recently moved to Israel, he hopes to build their own home with which to foster a small farm for ministry there. A fourth UC babe is expected in October.

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