My name is Vivian. My midwives were some of the most amazing people
I've ever met. Such
patience, kindness, understanding. Even as I felt discouraged, and was
in pain. At such a young age, I was about to have a baby for the very first time. I didn't know just how hard and painful it would be.

"I can't!" I wailed, as a contraction hit. I had never given birth
before. I had never pushed out a baby. I had never went through this
process. Plus, I'm such a small woman. How could I ever push it out?
But my midwives were all supportive!

"Vivian, you can do this!" Kaitlin said. "Just take a big breath, and
push! Like you are trying to poop! Give me a big breath and bear down
on the next one, okay?" Kaitlin said.

"I'll try," I mumbled. Next thing I knew, a contraction hit, and I
felt the urge to push. I suck in a deep breath of air, tuck my chin
into my chest, and bore down into my bottom for a PUSH!

"That was awesome, Vivian!" marveled Emily, who was holding my right
leg. "Yeah, Vivian, you are GREAT!" Kaitlin said. "Do it again! You're
gonna do it! You CAN!" laughed Emily.

I felt another contraction, and gave a big push. Emily squeezed my
hand tight, as I bore down. Ashlyn, their
assistant, pressed a cold towel against my head. It felt
great, with all the sweating. "Come on, Vivian! You are coming along!"
she said.

I moaned, and sighed, waiting for another contraction. I gave a big
push on the next, as I felt a BURNING sensation, "OWWWWWW!" I howled!
"Okay, I can see the head!" Kaitlin said. "Oh my god, can it be?" I
replied, shocked. "Yeah, want to reach down and feel?" asked Emily.
"No, I can't move," I groan.

Another contraction hits, and I push again. And again. And again. The
pushing continued, as Kaitlin pressed a cloth to my perineum to aid
with the stretching. It was not long, before I had delivered the whole
head. "Alright, Vivian! You've got the HEAD!" Ashlyn beamed.

"Look at you!" Emily marveled. "What a SUPERWOMAN!"

"Vivian, you are marvelous! So impressive! You are doing SO WELL! If
only all young mothers were like this" Kaitlin smiled.

Another contraction hit, and I pushed. I pushed. "I can't," I groan.
"Yes you can," said Kaitlin. "Real hard, on this one, real hard! These
shoulders are going to need a bit of help!"

I pushed, and screamed. Ashlyn and Emily helped shift my position,
pulling both of my knees to my chest as I bore down for another push.
"Great, it's coming," said Kaitlin. I pushed one more time, before I
burst out "I can't do it anymore! I'm done!"

"No, Vivian, you can do it! You have to! You're almost there!"
Kaitlin cheered

For the last time, I sucked in a deep breath of air. I blocked out all
voices, as I pushed with every ounce of strength I could muster. I
closed my eyes, and gave a big, loud roar, as I felt something warm,
soft, and tender placed into my arms. I open my eyes, to see, that it
was a newborn baby. My baby. The most beautiful, precious thing on
Earth.