After the summer heat, the long-awaited September arrived, warmer than ever. My son’s due date was the 21st, but labor didn’t start that day. I was starting to feel heavy, walking every day through fields and forests while waiting. My mother jokingly said that the baby would probably wait until the 28th, because it’s a strong number, and that we’d share it together—the three of us: my mother, myself, and my son. And that’s exactly what happened.
A week past my due date, we decided to go for a check-up to see how much longer we might wait. We traveled from Vilnius to the Kaunas Christian Birth Center on a beautiful morning. My back and lower belly had been aching for a few days, but I didn’t think labor had started. The midwife examined me, looked up, and smiled—“Halfway there already, 5–6 cm, let the father go get your things, and let’s head straight to the delivery room.” I could hardly believe it; I just quickly sent a message to my girlfriends—NOW!
I arrived at the delivery room at 12:00, changed into the birth gown gifted by my girlfriends and sewn by my mother, and began breathing and swaying while leaning against the windowsill. Sunlight poured in, life buzzed outside, and I kept swaying, with my husband close by. My waters hadn’t broken yet, but the cervix continued to dilate. Everything flowed smoothly, and the sensations quickly grew more intense. Throughout my time in the delivery room, I clung to my beloved’s shoulders, swaying and breathing with him.
After five hours, we decided to break the water bag, and from that moment, everything moved very quickly—contractions became intense and frequent, barely leaving time to catch a breath. When I felt the urge to push, I concentrated and pushed with all my strength. I knew my son’s heart rate had slightly dropped, so I focused and thought about our first meeting as I delivered him in just 4–5 pushes.
I heard that gentle voice, saw his little face—so much like my own—and embraced my Sirvydas. The medical staff left the three of us alone for several hours so we could quietly exchange first words and touches in an intimate space. I remember how nothing else around mattered, how calm my thoughts were, and how strong and complete I felt.
I am grateful for this experience, for the support of my amazing husband, for the embroidered wishes from my mother and friends, and for Sirvydas, who teaches me every day to surrender and fully experience life.
