Lydia Belén Warden

It seems like each experience we face here in Bolivia is accompanied by an interesting story.  We would love to share with you the story of Lydia Belén Warden.

As many of you know Jennie was pregnant and due to deliver on Jan 23rd.  After several check ups and appointments we realized that our precious baby (Lydia) was sitting head up (breech position) in the womb.  We realized very quickly that this could provide a challenge for the Bolivian doctors as they avoid breech babies at all cost and have little to no experience delivering them.  This past week we scheduled an ecographia to happen for Friday Jan 14 and another doctors appointment for the same day.  Depending on the results of the ecographia, we would then schedule a C-section if Lydia was still breech, or follow through with the natural birth as expected.  That was the plan....

On Sunday evening Jan 9, we were skyping with our good friends over the computer and Jennie realized that her water sac had just broken.  Realizing that Jennie was still only 38 weeks, the baby was breech, and we weren't remotely prepared to head to the hospital, we said a prayer, packed our bags, called our friends Phil and Jan for help and left for the hospital.

10:03pm: Water breaks

10:52pm: Left for Hospital

In the car on the way to the hospital we discussed the situation and mentally prepared for an emergency C-section believing Lydia was still breech.  (2 weeks early, breech baby, and labor contractions was not a good combination.)   Interestingly enough, we also commented on the fact that John had just finished a devotional at the church that evening about "trusting God through difficulty."  It was our turn to walk the line.

11:09pm: Arrived at Hospital Cristo De Las Americas    

11:33pm: First consultation with the OBGYN

When we arrived at the hospital we checked into a room and waited for an update from our OBGYN.  Within 10 minutes the OBGYN had arrived and done a preliminary check on Jennie.  To our surprise Jennie was already dilated 6cm with no pain.  The doctor also confirmed with us at that point that Lydia had summersaulted in the womb and was now head down!  No need for a C-section, let's do this thing naturally.

12:30am: Second consultation with the OBGYN

An hour had passed and the OBGYN came into the room for a second consultation.  At this point Jennie was 7cm dilated having minor contractions (every 4 minutes) and yet still no pain!!!

1:15am: Third consultation with the OBGYN

After another 45 minutes the OBGYN once again checked on the progress and decided since there were still no major contractions and very little to no pain, that she would zip back to her house for a few minutes and return in an hour to check the progress.

1:35am: First major contraction starts

After 2 hours in the hospital the first major contraction (accompanied by pain) had started. On our own in the room we prepared for more contractions and the labor process.

1:51am: Lydia's coming.

4 or 5 major contractions had passed and Jennie was in the bathroom when all the sudden she felt the pressure of the baby coming out.  She immediately rushed back to the bed and said to John get the doctor, the baby is coming.

1:52am: SOS to the doctors

John ran done the hallway, yelled for a doctor, and came rushing back to the room.  Jennie was in the bed, and the baby was crowing.  Within seconds a nurse appeared, gasped, and left the room shouting for the doctor to hurry.

1:52.45am: The preparation

With no doctors, nurses or anyone with basic medical experience left in the room, John grabbed the hand sanitizer and prepared to catch the baby.

1:52.55am: Help arrives

The on-call doctor ran into the room placing on his rubber gloves in the process.

1:53am: She's here!!

As he snapped the second glove into place he literally in the same motion, without breaking stride, leaned over the side of the bed and grasped the baby which was already half of the way out.  He broke the yoke sac, revealing feet..... (yes she came out feet first in breech position) and within seconds maneuvered Lydia's head and full body out into this world.

Lydia Belén Warden!!

Monday January 10, 2011, 1:53am.

5lbs 7oz

18 inches long

If the story seems pretty crazy.... it was.  Through the unknowns, fears, surprises, and unexpecteds Lydia came bursting into the world a healthy strong little girl.

What is it that makes us so thankful this evening?
- Maybe it was the fact that Lydia came 2 weeks early and totally heathy, that we marvel at God's grace.
- Possibly the incredible timing of the doctor arriving at the moment of departure with not even a second to spare that we realize God always has it timed out just as he plans.
- Or possibly the fact that breech babies in Bolivia  provide huge risk of complication and yet she arrived so smoothly that we almost missed her.
- Was it the total peace of mind and understanding amidst the language barriers and cultural differences that remind us of God's provisions?
- I imagine it was the fact that Jennie was supernaturally blessed with a pregnancy that basically consisted of 20 minutes of pain

However as we reflect this evening, we realize that our gratefulness includes everything mentioned and much more.  God, the author and sustainer of life, chose to bless us with a special gift that was created from and for His glory.  To God our father and redeemer we give praise tonight.

Lydia.  May you walk in the way of truth, pursuing after God and his never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love.  May you follow in the footsteps of the women from whom you were named, (Lydia in Acts 16) and be a willing servant and vibrant worshiper of our God.

* More pictures to come!