A Story from the Heart Part 2
By: Dekeshia Alexander
The following content has been taken from the personal journal of Dekeshia Alexander.
Well, Mr Judah Grayson has arrived! Oh the faithfulness of God! I can’t believe 16 days ago I sat in such uncertainty and solemn excitement, but now I’m looking back at the birth of my rainbow baby and praising my faithful God for the miracles He has performed. Ahmad’s brother and his wife came to visit us on December 30, 2016. It was such a surprise! We laughed, talked, and joked about me going into labor. I was having contractions, but they were not close enough together or painful enough for me to cause alarm. Additionally, I did not want to ruin his brother’s visit with a “blank” trip to the hospital and therefore I chose to embrace the discomfort until it would become unbearable. In fact, I tried to persuade everyone to take a day trip to a place an hour away. Well, by the end of the day, the contractions subsided so I thought I was in the clear.
Around 3 a.m. the next morning, I was awakened for my routine bathroom run. Then, at 3:30 a.m. on December 31,2016, I felt something drop into my pelvic area. I rolled over and hit my husband. He rolled over and went BACK TO SLEEP! Then a few moments later I felt that first contraction. Oh my goodness! I hit him once again and said “ We need to go NOW!” He popped out of bed a little confused. He went to let his brother know we were headed to the hospital. Thank God they were there to watch our boys while we proceeded to make our way to exit the house. Feeling the need to hurry, I began walking down the stairs of my two-story home. In this instant I had flashbacks of when I went into labor with Titus. In both situations, I was walking down the stairs having the worst contractions ever. As I hit the final step, I could not move another inch. Ahmad urged me to take just one more step, but i told him I would not make it out the door! We were about to have this baby right here at home! I screamed out and dropped to my knees and pushed! My husband took a look and saw the crowning of Judah’s head. I then felt the head pop through! I pushed 2 to 3 more times and out slid Judah’s entire body!! My baby slid right into my husband’s waiting hands! He placed him skin to skin with me and covered us with towels and blankets until EMS arrived and I just began to cry. I was so overcome with emotions. Here I am holding my miracle as he is still attached to me. His heart beating and his eyes wide open. Then I realize the joy and beauty of a rainbow baby.
EMS arrived a few minutes later, approximately three minutes after my son was delivered at home! EMS proceeded to clamp and cut the umbilical cord and they then transported Judah and I to the hospital.
As I reminisce, I am so thankful to God. It was as if God, Himself, delivered my baby! And to think so many things could have gone wrong... The umbilical cord could have been wrapped around Judah’s neck. He could have been breech or positioned incorrectly so that his buttocks or feet wanted to appear first, as was the case with Titus. BUT GOD! I longed to hear Judah’s first cry. Although it was a faint cry, he let out a cry and I found even more of a relief. Instantly my heart melted. The walls came tumbling down and I fully embraced my new baby boy! You know, I was looking for the joy that the rainbow brings and the joy that comes after the storm. I finally experienced it! Looking into the face of my baby boy was better than I could have ever imagined. What an eventful chapter in the story of our lives! God truly showed us that He was in control as the great physician. He could have saved Titus, but Titus’ purpose was served in the 69 minutes of his life, an eternal purpose! This chapter in life has reminded me of God’s faithfulness even in the rough patches of life. I may never understand every situation, but seeing his hand reminds me that I can always trust him! I will praise Him.