Its long overdue, but here we go folks!
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It was the middle of the early morning when Danielle woke me up (times in this blog post are approximate at best). I was very groggy, as I tend to be when awaking from sleep, but I do recall my wife telling me that today is the day and that she will wake me back up later on when she needs me. "She's such the coolest wife," I thought to myself. Yeah, I realize now that I am very fortunate to have a wife that is so considerate of her husband, even when she is in the middle of contractions!
The second time Danielle woke me up, I could see that the contractions were getting stronger. Hinalei and little Joe were still asleep and I started to help time contractions.
Danielle's parents arrived and then we all helped Danielle breathe through the contractions. I could see from her expressions that the pain she was feeling appeared to be similar to the contractions she had with Hinalei and baby Joe, but at the same time, it looked like the intensity of the contractions increased more rapidly. Danielle's parents had lots of good suggestions and were very supportive. Everyone was helping out with timing the contractions and speaking comfort to Danielle. My strong wife would labor on all fours, has taken a shower, walked around the house and the contractions continued to get stronger.
When the contractions were getting close to 3 minutes apart, and with some urging from Danielle's father, it was decided that we should make our way to the hospital now.
While walking from the house to the car, Danielle was rocked by a mean as contraction that had her doubled over in pain!
Danielle's father stayed with the the kids at home and Danielle and I got in our little rust bucket with Danielle's mom driving. We were going to North Shore Hospital in Takapuna. I sat in the back seat with Danielle and comforted her. The contractions kept coming stronger. As a husband, I could feel a lot of sympathy for my wife and I wished that there was more I could do to ease the pain. As we made our way to the hospital, I tried to help Danielle by massaging her back, applying counter pressure and I also let her bite into my arm to help ease the pain. I know that the pain in my arm is minor compared to labor pains so I was proud to bear my wife's teeth marks in my arm for the next couple days!
When we got dropped off at the door we walked to the elevator and another contraction came. This one was very painful and Danielle had to crouch down on hands and knees to ride through it. With help from our Father in Heaven and the perseverance and strength of a superwoman, Danielle lead the way into the elevator. When we made it through the doors to the birthing suite, Danielle called out for help and at least 4 different nurses came rushing to her aid! I was very impressed by the responsiveness and gentleness that they showed for my wife. An older bespectacled nurse mentioned that Sharyn (Danielle's midwife) had set up "room 8" for Danielle, but, since baby was so close to arriving, they would put us in the the room closest to the entrance which was, as if by divine intent, open and clean.
Danielle said, "Baby's here, I want to push" and the nurse said, in effect, "You go girl!" and with that, Danielle commenced bearing down. Soon afterward, Sharyn arrived and she was so helpful. She spoke comfort and encouragement to Danielle and I could see why my wife has such respect and trust in her. Sharyn angled the head of the bed upward so that Danielle could turn around while on her knees and lean on it to support herself while pushing.
Within minutes after getting into the room, baby Rawiri was beginning to make his grand entrance!
By the time Danielle's mum had come in from parking the car, baby's head was already crowning! I can only imagine the combination of searing pain, welcome relief and pure joy that my wife was going through at the moment but I have seen in past times, that the joy of having another precious soul join the family overshadows pain. In due time, baby Rawiri Tuileto'a Savaiinaea was born and what a treasure he is!
Welcome to our family, Rawiri!
As I saw his little body and heard the sound of his voice, I realized that I was witnessing a manifestation of our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. I had received an answer that we are born into this world to grow and develop and to be part of an eternal family. I am so grateful for my wife and her love and trust she has for our family and for the Gospel and I love the newest addition to our family, little Rawiri!
