It happened to be late that evening...

...and although the kids went to bed early, I was only able to doze a little so far.

There's no way to explain how a midwife often senses that this is going to be the day. Days will pass and I think it might be today or getting close, but when it's going to actually happen, something in me has always sort of known. I go into a different state of consciousness, it seems. Oh, the tasks of the day will be taken care of but I just happen to leave a little extra space around even the little chores, staying ready to be called, I guess.

The bags and cases are by the door. They've been checked over and a few extra items added. The oxygen tanks are full. The babysitter has been alerted to the nearing possibility of an all-nighter. I close my eyes. It's 10 pm and maybe, just maybe, I'll get a full night's sleep after all.

Aaahhh. Sleep feels good....

Rrrriiinnngg! I glance at the clock and hear my children stirring. It's 11 pm. "Time to get going" I call out while picking up the phone. "Hello...um", is all he says at first. (Yep, it's them.) "Do you think you could come and check ~ she says her water broke and the contractions are getting more noticable. She's doing OK, so maybe just a check?" We discuss the contractions for a moment and I reassure this sort-of calm father-to-be that I'll be there in about 15 minutes or so and then we'll be able to see what's next.

Let's go, kids! With the phone held between shoulder and ear, I haul birth cases out to the frozen van in the mid-January weather while calling the babysitter out of a deep sleep to let her know we'll be there in a few minutes. "You mean now? I'm sleeping". I feel awkward, but realize she's still half asleep. I ask if I should I just come in quietly and put the kids on the sofa. "Oh, now I'm awake. Just come on over. "

The kids are smiling and asking if there's going to be a baby tonight. They are acquainted with the family that called so this one is a little more special and questions keep coming while I drive around the corner to bring them and their overnight bags to our droopy-eyed dear friend.

Their jolly mood gives me some needed energy. We all wave good-night and I head down the road to "check" on the labor. On the way, I say a prayer for the birthing mother. I wonder if it will be one of those really long ones. But it might be that after the homebirth and the hours of postnatal care, I'd be bringing a good birth story home to my own family by morning...

It was starting to feel like a long long night until just at sunrise, (with a lot of good hard work from his Mommy), a happy family received a chubby pink and feisty William (9 lbs.) into their loving arms!

Later, after a few hours of postnatal care and chart work, mother & baby and their family are all settled in together for a good rest. Bags and cases can be loaded back into the van. The hugs and words of appreciation from the family add a deep sense of peace to this midwife's heart. On my way home, I sigh a prayer of thanks to God for yet another joyful birth. I also pray that my eyes would stay open long enough to pick up the kids and climb back under the covers, where there'll be cuddles and shared stories of our night's adventures (before any snoozing can be resumed).

Aaaahhh.