Icicles are a sure sign of Winter and a frequent guest in the ice storms the south usually gets. Even as the snow was melting from the yard. It left behind a gift to be remembered by. We had several that were well over 2 feet long, frozen in place by the sub-freezing temperatures and strong winds we had whistling through the trees.
Would you ever have thought that plain frozen water could look so beautiful? Almost magical!
The other magic happened just after midnight, in the early hours of this morning. Anna our herd queen gave birth to a new baby girl at 12:30 am. We were not expecting her to be the first one to deliver. So she caught us by surprise, as that is way magic operates ~ it surprises us. I was working solo on the farm chores late yesterday (Lon was at firehouse). When I noticed she had separated herself from the rest of our goat family. A RED flag in the manual for pregnant goats. Placing her in a labor & birthing pen beside Sugar. The one we had been watching closely the last 4-5 days. It was soon evident that she was quickly checking off the labor & delivery signs we watch for. After a quick bite of supper and dressing warmly I set up down at the barn. Calling Lon to let him know that we probably would have a new baby by morning. Things got to rolling about 11:30 as her sides began to roll and contract. By midnight she was having pushing contractions. I kept watching the clock to make sure she was progressing normally and to note which day he/she would be born on.Anna became urgent in her pushing with only small results for her efforts. A flashlight check revealed a pair of two front feet, but no presentation of a face. It was evident to me then that additional help was going to be needed. Amidst prayers shot towards heaven, I gloved up thinking I would have to "go in" and reposition the baby. In all my years of nursing I have assisted in the birth of numerous mothers. I was praying that I would be able to feel my way around as I had in the human mommies. Anna was quickly exhausting herself and had started hollering in a painful way. Before I could get in the position to check, she collapsed in a heap. I thought Oh, no! What am I going to do now? Praying for divine assistance I grabbed the now exposed feet and legs and with a gentle tug began to pull as she continued to push. My prayers were answered I believed when she went down.
Yes, in what appeared to be potential problem, an answer was given. At that moment I can't help but believe that the baby's head was pushed into alignment by a heavenly hand. For with the next contraction I saw a small nose appear at the opening, right before the bag broke. Then I was greeted by a small licking tongue and with the next few pushes, working together I pulled out a doeling. Both Anna and I was glad to see her baby breathing. She started in on cleaning up her little one, while I checked it over and tied off the umbilical cord. Murphy's law is always waiting to happen, last night was no exception. But this time it was foiled, even though I was home alone. I really wasn't alone at all.
Despite the barn heater being on, the teen temps made our little girl shiver alot. So I dressed her in one of the crocheted sweaters I had made. To help her regulate her body heat better. There can be no doubt she's girl in this bright pink.
The hours past quickly as clean-up was under way, teats were checked for clear passage of milk and encouragement to nurse was given to her baby. Who finally was able to 2 hours after her birth. It is important that they get their mother's colostrum ASAP, for they are born with no immune system in place. Getting what they need to face the world in that magical milk, present at first in all mammals. It was especially important, given the challenging birth that I make sure all afterbirth was passed and no additional problems found. It took another hour for all to be completed and the stall ready for a peaceful night of sleep for mommy and baby. I, myself crawled into bed this morning at 4am. Only to be awakened a little before 8, giving me just 4 hours of sleep. So goes the life of most midwives; little sleep, lots of challenges and the joy of helping to bring a little one into the world on it's birthday.
There really isn't any real magic to be found in all the world. All honest magicians will tell you that it is simply a slight of hand that preforms the tricks we oooh and ahhh over. But I can tell you I saw a magical midnight last night. When I saw the hand of my Creator, who form the frozen Winter Beauty that glowed from our roof top, assist me in a miraculous birth. Every birth that I have ever participated in has always touched my heart and brought a tear to my eye. This one was no different. Every birth is a miracle, a beauty to behold. For Heartland Farm ~ this was a birth in the midst of Winter Beauty.
Eyes still looking, but closing with sleep and with a heart still thankful,Deborah
1 comment:
What wonderful magic! Your post made me miss my little goat herd. There is nothing like a little goat baby.... We haven't had our goats for two years and I miss them so much. Thank you for sharing!
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