We are Complete!

After an exciting weekend of babies being born, I was ready for some time with just sitting and watching the new arrivals. During morning chores I was watching Anna for any signs that her time might be near. Guess I was a little bit anxious or it could be called paranoid and didn't want to miss any subtle signs she might give me. Lon was back at work and all of the chores and care of the new families was mine to do. We were thankful that he had been home and was able to be a part of the births too. She seemed to wander around the yard and didn't want me to leave her this morning. I just figured she was missing Amber and Sugar. Maybe feeling a little lonely and left out. I kept watch as I finished putting out hay and wondered if it could possibly be more to her behavior. After all the prior false alarms with her , I didn't want her to really go into labor and not take precautions. So I put her in the corner pen between the other two does and their babies. Went back up to the house to prepare just in case and let Lon know she was acting funny.

In the meantime, I received a sad phone call to let me know that the doctors were sending my daughter-n-love to surgery. We had been thrilled to hear that she was pregnant again and were hoping that after so many loses that she would be able to carry a child to term. It was not meant to be again, she had a tubal pregnancy. My heart ached for her and my son who was trying to take care of her in his own grief. It was decided that I would pick up my granddaughter from preschool and bring her out here to the farm for a few days. Her mom would need some bed rest afterwards and daddy needed to work and take care of things at home. A quick shower and preparations to make the hour drive to be there in time to pick Leah up was made. It was then that I realized that I was probably going to miss Anna's birthing too.

I called Lon to let him in on the sad news and my change of plans for the day. Then headed back down to the barn to check progress. Lo, and behold Anna was in the process of giving birth! Her baby was partially delivered and struggling to breathe, so I quickly cleared it's face and with the next push the little spotted buck was free. She and I worked to dry him off and I kept an eye on the clock, knowing I would need to leave by two in order to be at the preschool by three. Leah is could stat till 4pm but I didn't want her to be the last one picked up. I knew she would be thrilled to be coming out to stay at the farm. It was only yesterday as they left, that she begged to stay with me. I promised her that she could come back out after Anna had her babies. Not knowing how soon it would all take place.

Within 15 minutes from the first one, Anna gave birth to a doe. Who she promptly rolled over on top of it the process of getting back to cleaning up her baby boy. I quickly scooped up the baby, sack and all onto a pad to put within reach of Anna's face. She seemed to have forgotten that she had just birthed to number two. So I wiped the little girl free from the birthing goo and placed her under her mommy's nose. While picking up the little buck out of her line of sight and finished towel drying him off. Time was 1:30 pm at this point and I didn't want to leave without seeing them nurse. So silent prayers were continually being lifted for her to gain her strength and pass the afterbirth. I had noticed from the two previous births that the does would not let their babies nurse until after doing so. My time was running out and I was needing to leave soon!! Prayers were heard and answered affirmatively as by 2:15pm all had been accomplished and I was heading back to the house to change clothes and head out. I was later than planned in picking up Leah, but she never knew and was excited to see her Nana and the new babies. News that she was going home with me to stay a few days overshadowed the questions about where her mommy and daddy were, thankfully.

Anna's baby girl~

In the midst of a loss today, I was given a glimpse of life. I may have not been there for all the births, but I was blessed to be midwife to these. Thankful and rejoicing in the 5 new faces and 3 trouble free births, with a very heavy heart for my family.

Deborah