Sebastian Moses’ Birth Story

Sebastian Moses was born at home in Sassandra, Côte d’Ivoire on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 8:05 a.m. so far he’s my chubbiest baby, weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz, but a petite 19 inches long. He came much sooner than I expected— only three days after his due date, unlike his older sisters who came 11 days late and 16 days late, respectively. Nothing about his birth went the way I was expecting, or the way I envisioned; it was one of the most emotionally complex events of my life.

My dad always teases me when he tells the story of my birth, beginning it with “It was a dark and stormy night.” Well, when I started active labor with Sebastian, 24 hours after my water broke and I began having inconsistent contractions, it really was a dark and stormy night! The wind and lightning was more intense than any storm I’ve yet experienced in Africa. It actually scared me, and I usually enjoy storms. I also had the flu, and was dealing with that exhaustion and the unwell feelings that go with that. And then the storm knocked the power out. Which meant the water also went out. It was a Sunday night, so Seth was asleep, absolutely exhausted from ministry that day. And so I felt very alone, frightened, and weary. Not the best way to start labor.

Intense contractions came inconsistently for 10 hours, sometimes overlapping each other, sometimes 12 minutes apart. My dilation happened so slowly, which is very unlike my previous two births. And the surges were actually painful— not just powerful like I had experienced in the past. All that pain and exhaustion, but so little progress was very discouraging. This wasn’t the joyful, free birth experience I had hoped for. I kept praying in my heart for strength, but wondered why the Lord felt so distant.

I pushed and pushed. Not for long in comparison to others, but long to me! And he got stuck. It turns out I had a partial previa which I hadn’t known about beforehand. This was likely why the contractions made such slow progress and were so extra painful. I felt like I couldn’t push anymore, but I had to keep going!

I felt a lot of shame afterwards. Because I cried out far more than I ever had before; because I had such difficulty after trying so hard to prepare correctly. I felt like it was my fault, or like I hadn’t been strong enough.

But there were so many blessings too!

My dad purchased a very nice generator for us a few weeks before my due date, so we were able to use it shortly after the power went out. I’m so thankful I was able to labor with the air on in our room, and my table lamp comfortably dim. I’m thankful for my daddy’s generosity to me, and for his desire to help and care for me from several thousand miles away.

Seth was such a rock for me throughout my labor. He held me when I needed rest or support. He physically supported me when I didn’t have enough strength to hold myself up during my later contractions. He spoke life and hope and comfort to me as often as I needed it. And I know he was praying for me.

My mother-in-law, who has attended literally hundreds of births in Africa as a midwife, came to deliver Sebastian at my house. She was patient, sweet, gentle, encouraging, supportive… I couldn’t have done it without her. I’m so thankful she was there! I couldn’t have been in better hands! My sister-in-law, Lydia, was there as well, and she was such a peaceful presence.

Eden wanted to see the delivery, and she got her wish! She watched without fear as her brother enter the world. And when he was born, she came to me and kissed my head, and told me “I’m sorry that was such hard work, Mama.” She ran downstairs to fetch me a juice box from the fridge and a warm towel from the dryer, and was such a sweet and responsible little helper! Her sweet spirit and participation are one of my favorite parts of my son’s birth story!

Despite the partial previa, I did not hemorrhage or have any other problems. I didn’t even tear! Sebastian was born perfectly safe and healthy and beautiful. Words can’t express the immense relief and joy of getting to hold him, screaming, in my arms for the first time! He was so perfect! There is no other word for him. Seth FaceTimed my mom for me just minutes after Sebastian was born, so she was able to cry and laugh with me, and hear the baby’s sweet newborn cries. While she couldn’t be there with me in person, my mama was up all night praying for me— and I don’t think I could’ve done it without her prayerful support across the ocean.

So there it is. My mixed up, jumbled emotion salad. It took months of processing, but now, six months later, I can see how beautifully God showed up in my birth story. He provided for my needs, gave me the strength to keep going, gave me the support I desperately needed. I can look at the whole story now without shame— just thankfulness and joy, even for the parts that were so hard for me personally. God is good and faithful, no matter how he chooses to work! And I’m so thankful for the unique miracle of Sebastian Moses’s birth overseas.