Jasper Michael. A fighter from the beginning.
They found out that their family of 5 was unexpectedly going to grow to 6. With early complications…there were some moments of doubt that this pregnancy would be a viable one. Weeks passed and this little life fought. Reality began to set in that there would be two more little feet running through the house, making a busy home even busier. The siblings began to get excited for another playmate and were so excited for mom to have the baby at home. Mom was prepping them for what they could look forward to and they began to prep their home for a relaxing in home birth story. Then things changed. Mom, a good friend of mine, called. I quickly answered as I knew we were getting close…“Baby?”. One the other end were hysterical tears. Lab results had come back with a complication. One that was unexpected and kind of scary. Cholestasis. A word I had never heard before but was all of the sudden taking charge. “A high risk of still birth…please capture it all…” I stayed calm on the other end of the phone as tears streamed down my face…. hung up the phone and prayed. Lord, please hold this little life in your hands. He has to make it.
Being rushed to the hospital first thing the next morning, being induced, needles and cords were not a part of this mom’s plan. Keeping to her natural delivery plan, she was a fighter. She found strength in the support around her and made it through the pain… one contraction at a time. Baldwin Medical Center was amazing enough to allow her to stick to her water birth plan with her midwife at her side. When that little life was safely born, she clung him to her chest and cried. A healthy boy. He was here. And he fought to be.
Jasper. A name of a beautiful stone that in it’s physical properties it’s considered highly restorative for internal organs (such as the liver .. cholestasis being a pregnancy related disease of the liver). Unknowing of the gender of this little one before he was born, mom must have had a sixth sense. She made jasper stone necklaces for everyone at the birth to wear to bring positive energy and connection. It came full circle.
Meghan, your strength amazes me…. your kind heart is infectious… and the length that your loving arms reach around your family is immeasurable. This is your last birth. While it may not have been your plan… it sure was God’s plan. Jasper Michael will forever be known in my heart as a fighter from the beginning. May he always be a protector of your heart and a reminder of how delicate life is. Thank you, my friend, for allowing me to document this story for you. It is one I will never forget.
Oh Jamie… These are amazing and so beautiful! I just adore you, your heart and your art!!! p.s. Way to go Meghan, you’re a rockstar!!