Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rahim
Mukarramah’s UHW Birth

(unassisted home water Birth)

Already a Week past due according the LMP date; I was awakened about 4:50 in the morning with what seemed like a strong contraction. I had been having contractions for the last 2 months of the pregnancy, was 3 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and was skeptical about whether or not my labor was REALLY gonna continue. B4 I knew it the contractions were 6-8 minutes apart and then 5 minutes apart. My hubby stayed awake to rub my back and help any way he could. We were keeping track of the time between contractions … One was 5 minutes apart and the next ones jumped to 3 minutes apart and stayed that way. I was shocked. I didn’t think the contractions were gonna stay. My husband asked if I wanted him to get the water ready. (this was a Planned water Birth); I told him yes. Within a few minutes the water was ready and I hopped into the tub. The water SO soothing. I lit my cinnamon candles; and labored for the remainder of the time in the tub. Suddenly I yelled “I gotta push”. On the first push, I felt her head emerging through the canal, the second push - was her head… and then I stopped
pushing until the next urge came. “The head is so big” I said to my husband. I breathed through to the next contraction and then gave one long hard push… My hubby said quickly, do u have ‘em? “yes” I replied as I caught my newborn as if catching a football. I sat down. My hubby and I gazed at the baby and called my children who were waiting in their bedroom. “It’s a girl”, said my husband to our other 3 children. It was such a beautiful moment. Everything went very smooth Al humdulillah!!! (All Praises is Due to Allah, The Merciful) Within about 15 minutes I felt the need to push so I gave my hubby the baby. He had to hold her close to me because the umbilical cord was not cut yet. I grabbed the bowl and squatted to push out the placenta. At that time my hubby clamped and cut the cord. The baby and I stayed in the warm water for a few more moments… she was so peaceful in the water. As long as she stayed in the water she didn’t cry. Then my hubby wrapped the baby and I in towels and took us to the bed room for recovery. My mother came shortly after and helped with clean up (although there was very little she said). I nursed the baby right away … and rested for a while. My hubby and weighed her… She was 8.0 pounds even. WOW! She is my biggest so far. 7 days later we shaved her head; as it is the Suunah (tradition) in Islam to do so, and named the baby:
Mukarramah (Mu-Carra-maa) – means: one who is Honored, Respected, held in Awe.
Nairobi (Ny-ro-be) – capitol of Kenya and means: Cool Water
Abdulmatin – means: servant of The Firm
4/30/05 – 7:34am    Mashallah!!!!