For Unto Us a Child is Born

Diana's pregnancy had not been easy. Her then unnamed baby was due yesterday,she had been off her antipsychotics since the beginning of the second trimester. Fr. John was visiting and had just given Diana the Eucharist. Soon after receiving Jesus, Diana began to feel back pain.

"Father,my back ,the voices are telling me I'm going to die. William!"

" Honey, I'm home. Fr. John is everything,ok?" William had just walked in the door.

"I think she's about to go into labor."

Just then Diana's sister walked in the door. She had just drove in from Los Angeles where she was teaching at a Catholic college and was a psychiatrist at a low income clinic run by the diocese. She ran to Diana's side.

"Diana, I heard screaming. You need to relax. Breath,remember the prayer of one of you favorite mystics that's helped you before.

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing;

God only is changeless.

Patience gains all things.

Who has God wants nothing.

God alone suffices."

"Take my hand honey. Anne the number for her doctors are by the kitchen phone,could you call?" Asked William.

With a nod of her head,she ran off to the kitchen.

" St. Dympna ,pray I don't die,I don't like contractions and voices at the same time."

" Do you want me to stay?" Asked Fr. John.

"Please,please."

"I'll drive you to the hospital" said Fr. John.

"I just got off the phone with your doctors. They want you to remain very calm and try to relax as much as possible. Do you want me to stay with you? I've been in the hospital with clients before" stated Sr. Anne.

"Please, must bring medals and rosary. Stop voices,stop. I won't die,nobody will kill me."

"That's right honey. Let's get out of bed,nice and slowly now." William took her by the hand and led her to the car.

Once there her support team was so glad they were with Diana.

As soon as the nurse saw Diana's rosary she asked if she wanted a chaplain.

"This is actually my priest. He prefers what he calls his civvies in public,nooooo collar." Diana said the last bit during a contraction

"Breathe,no screaming", Diana's nurse Joan gently reminded her.

"It's very important that her doctor has knowledge of severe mental illness" declared Sr. Anne.

"Yes,I've seen her file. I can even see if her psychiatrist is available."

"Thank you" said a relieved William.

With Diana's permission, Fr. John went to say daily Mass and visit some other parishioners. After dinner he returned and Diana was fully dilated.

"Diana,you can push now" declared her doctor."

"Voices say I'm going to die."

"Remember your coping mechanisms" said her psychiatrist.

"That prayer you said earlier" suggested Sr. Anne.

After a few intense minutes, a cry was heard along with the words "it's a boy."

"My baby, he's alright?"

"He looks perfectly healthy" declared the doctor after soon cutting the umbilical cord.

"I'm alive, he's alive,I'm so tired,keep him safe,must sleep." Diana kissed the head of her baby boy before falling fast asleep.

"Hello son,you'll be just like your Dad some day" declared William.

When Diana fell asleep, Fr. John began to leave.

"Thank you, Father. Your presence was greatly appreciated."

"William,next week I find out if the bishop plans on transferring me or not. Every year I worry about going somewhere else and how my successor will treat those with mental illness and other disabilities in the parish. She wants me to baptize that boy and give him his first communion. If I'm not the one to do so, I pray she will keep the faith,such a strong faith it is."

"Your empathy and kindness are truly a blessing. As your sister says you don't fear those who are different, but try to understand them, and that is a blessing."

"As soon as Diana is awake I'd like to discuss slowly going back on her medication. It's very important that she is monitored for postpartum psychosis. All things considered she did remarkably well during the birth,but I fear she's at risk of having another episode of psychosis" stated Dr. Williams,Diana's psychiatrist.

A few hours later, Diana asked for her baby and held him.

"I think we should name him William Spencer or Spencer William. Spencer was that Princess's last name. What a beautiful wedding that was" Diana stated.

" I like Spencer as a first name,the kid deserves his own name" said William.

"Spencer William,mommy loves you,but mommy is really tired still and has to have some good self care now. Be good for your daddy and everyone else."

"Diana,you seem so aware of your needs. I'm proud of you" said William.

" I'm just saying what you tell me. I want to stay in this bed for days."

"Well, Diana we do want to keep you overnight, but then you should be home" said her doctor.

"I'll be in my own bed by then. Need more sleep,now."

Diana slept that night feeling safe and loved with the knowledge she had a beautiful baby boy.