Early September dawned. The days were growing cooler and the summer humidity was starting to lessen when Edith went into labor.
“There’s time yet,” she explained to a panicked Leah, when she discovered the older woman leaning into the kitchen counter and panting. “But I wouldn’t mind if you fetched Ivan for me. He can get the midwife.”
Leah fled out the door and into the workshop. “Ivan, Ivan!” she gasped.
Ivan paused in the act of running a planer over a piece of wood. He stared at her. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Edith! She’s in labor.”
“Oh. Okay.” Calmly he laid his tool aside and unhooked his canvas work apron. It was all Leah could do to keep from shrieking “Hurry up!”
Anxiously she trotted into the kitchen, Ivan walking behind her, to find Edith sitting on a chair with her hands over her belly and her eyes closed.
“Is it time?” Ivan bent over his wife.
Her eyes still closed, she nodded. “Would you mind fetching Elizabeth?” she asked.
Leah knew that was the name of the midwife.
“Of course. I’ll get Sarah and Rachel in here, as well.” He quirked an eye at Leah and winked. “Someone has to stay calm.”
He strolled outside, and Leah heard him calling his older daughters from the garden. In fact, all six children came clamoring inside, but Rachel took charge. “Eliza, take the boys over to the Millers’ and stay there until we come get you,” she said. “Mamm, are you ready to lie down or do you want to walk for a while?”
“Walk, I think. Danke.”
Both older girls were calm, far calmer than she was—but then, Leah realized, they had doubtless been with their mother numerous times when she gave birth.
“I’ll be back shortly!” called Ivan from outside. He clucked to the horse he’d hooked up to the buggy and trotted down the road.
“Would—would you like some tea or something?” Leah felt helpless as another contraction came over Edith and she leaned over the table, her face contorted.
“N-no, thank you,” panted Edith. “Relax, child. I’m the one in labor, not you.”
Leah dropped the dish towel she’d been pleating into a mass. “I’ve never been around a woman about to give birth before.”
“Really? Well, this isn’t my first go-round. I usually don’t take too long either. What you could do, please, is start some water heating. Elizabeth always likes fresh hot water. Rachel, dear, when you have a moment, would you fetch the baby clothes?”
Glad to do something to help, Leah stoked the stove and heaved a pot on top, then filled it with water and put a lid on.
Rachel got her mother to her feet. “Up you go,” she said. “Let’s walk.”
Arm in arm, the short young woman and the taller older woman trod around the kitchen. Well, Edith waddled and looked cheerful, despite the strain on her face. “I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl,” she mused.
“Do you have a preference?” asked Leah.
“Of course not. So far the Lord has given me equal numbers of both, so I couldn’t be happier. Whatever He sends this time will be a blessing.”
“How far away does the midwife live?”
“Only about two miles. Ivan will be back soon.”
But the minutes that ticked by didn’t seem short to Leah. Edith paused every so often and bent over, panting, as another contraction hit. But she refused to get into bed, insisting she was better off moving around. Knowing nothing about the issue, Leah didn’t push—especially since neither Sarah nor Rachel thought this was anything unusual.
“Will you be with your mother when she gives birth?” she asked Rachel.
The younger woman shook her head. “There are some things daughters shouldn’t see their own mothers do. I’ve been with some women in labor, but not Mamm.” She smiled. “But when Sarah has her first baby, I hope I’m there!”
“Sarah, get the birth bag,” instructed Edith.
Sarah disappeared into the basement and emerged with a nylon duffel bag, which she put on the table.
At last, Leah heard the welcome clip-clop of a returning horse and buggy, and within minutes a hearty, plump woman bustled into the kitchen and took charge. Clucking in Deitsch, she sat Edith in a chair and felt her belly. She brought the birth bag into the bedroom, along with a hefty bag of her own supplies Ivan carried behind her. Then she whisked the expecting mother into the bedroom and closed the door.
“And now we wait.” Ivan poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.
“Will you go in when she’s about to give birth?” inquired Leah. She also sat, too boneless to stand.
“Ja, of course. But for now, the midwife needs to make some examinations, and that’s best done in private.”
“Seven children,” mused Leah. “That seems like such a large number.”
Ivan looked surprised. “It’s what Gott gives us. Each and every one of them is a blessing of riches.”
In the three months since she’d arrived, she knew Ivan spoke the truth. Children were cherished among the Amish. They weren’t viewed as inconveniences interfering with a career. They were seen as the natural result of the love between husband and wife.
She heard Edith groan from inside the bedroom, but no dramatic screams or cries rent the air. After a few minutes, the bedroom door opened and the midwife poked her head out. “Ivan, she’s near time if you’d like to come in.”
Ivan shuffled to his feet and went in to support his wife during her travail.
Leah continued to sit at the kitchen table, watching in some bemusement as Sarah and Rachel went about their tasks. Sarah wore something of a glow on her face. “Someday, that will be me. I can’t wait for my first baby.”
“And since I won’t be having any, I can’t wait to hold him,” grinned Rachel.
Leah realized she was tense, her muscles clenched as if she were the one in labor. She made a deliberate effort to relax. The minutes ticked by.
Suddenly she heard a subdued flurry of activity...and then a baby’s thin wailing cry came through the door.
The sisters exchanged grins.
Rachel dropped clean towels into a large bowl and poured steaming water from the stove over them. When Elizabeth opened the door again, she was ready and handed the woman the bowl.
“Danke.” Elizabeth smiled. “You have a beautiful baby sister.” She closed the door.
“Ah, that’s wonderful,” sighed Rachel. She made herself a cup of tea and sat opposite Leah at the table.
“Everyone’s so calm,” commented Leah. “In the city, having a baby is a huge thing. It starts with baby showers and birth announcements and ends with hospital rooms and doctors.” She grew curious. “Do Amish women ever give birth in hospitals? What happens if there’s an emergency?”
“Some women use hospitals, but it’s expensive, and why go if there’s nothing wrong?” countered Sarah. “But yes, emergencies happen. A couple years ago, Penny Miller needed to be transferred to a hospital, but the baby died.” She looked grave. “It was very sad. But she’s pregnant again, so this time they’ll go to the hospital first.”
Elizabeth came out again. “Is there some hot water?” she inquired.
“Ja.” Rachel stood up. “I’ll bring it.”
“Pretty little girl,” commented the midwife. She took a small bag from her apron pocket. “Please use this to make some tea. It helps healing.”
Sarah took the herbs and prepared tea. Leah dipped hot water into buckets and placed them outside the bedroom door.
Within half an hour, Elizabeth opened the door. “Come in and meet your sister.”
Edith looked wan but happy, lying tucked in bed. Next to her, Ivan sat in a rocking chair with the tiny infant in his arms.
“What will you name her?” Sarah bent to take the baby in her arms. “Oh, she’s wunnerschee.”
“Your mother and I thought Charity Anne,” said Ivan.
“That’s lovely. Hello, Charity.” Rachel touched the baby’s face with a gentle finger.
Ivan got out of the rocking chair, and Sarah sat down, cuddling the infant. A peaceful expression passed over her face. Rachel squatted at her feet, peering at her new baby sister.
“How do you feel, Edith?” asked Leah.
“Tired but elated,” she replied. “Glad it’s over and the baby is healthy.”
“Leah, would you like to hold her?” asked Sarah.
“May I?”
“Of course. Sit down.” Sarah rose and swapped places with Leah, who sank into the rocker and took the infant. “Here, like this. Make sure you support her head in the crook of your arm. That’s right.”
Instinctively Leah began to rock. As she looked at the tiny red face, a thrill came over her—warm waves of love for this tiny child birthed so miraculously in this humble bedroom. Her eyes grew moist. Could she ever do this, have a baby half this wonderful?
“My turn?” Rachel finally asked. Leah looked up to see the young woman standing nearby, clearly anxious to hold her baby sister.
“I’m sorry.” She rose and traded places. “I’ve never held a newborn before. She’s amazing!”
Rachel chuckled as she sank into the chair and took her sister with experienced arms. “It never gets old,” she admitted.
She looked at Rachel’s face, different because of her genetic condition but filled with love as she regarded her baby sister. Leah wondered at the long, hard internal battle Rachel must have had in deciding not to marry and have children. It was clear she would make a wonderful mother.
She glanced at Edith and saw the woman had dozed off. Tapping Ivan on the arm, she gestured toward his wife. He nodded and tiptoed out of the room, followed by Leah and Sarah. Rachel remained, rocking the baby, though Elizabeth came out, too, and closed the door.
“Aah, the Lord is good,” sighed Ivan, sinking into a kitchen chair with a smile on his face. “Danke, Elizabeth, for coming so quickly.”
“Do you want me to milk the cows?” asked Sarah.
Ivan glanced at the clock. “The time! Yes, child, I could use the help.”
“You go. I’ll keep watch,” said Elizabeth.
“I’ll start supper,” offered Leah. It pleased her to know her way around the Bylers’ kitchen well enough to volunteer for this task alone. Though nothing was said, she sensed approval from the midwife.
The family scattered to the various tasks.
“Would you like some tea?” Leah asked the midwife.
“Ja, danke.” The older woman sank into a chair. She smiled. “What a blessing today has been.” Her gaze sharpened. “You’ve never been around a newborn?”
“No. As you know, I’m not Amish. I’m just staying here for a bit.” Leah busied herself stoking the stove and pulling out ingredients. “I’m happy to help the Bylers however I can. They’ve been so good to me.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Except for not speaking our language, you could certainly pass for Amish.”
Leah was so startled she whirled around in surprise. “Thank you!” she gasped.
“You’ve a good touch with babies,” the midwife continued. “It will be nice for Edith to have an extra pair of hands, though her three girls are so good. Danke,” she added as Leah placed a steaming mug before her.
Rachel came out of the bedroom. “Leah, is there any food I could bring Mamm? She’s hungry.”
“Give me five minutes.” Leah stirred noodles into the dish Sarah called “dump and go” casserole. When everything was ready, she scooped some food into a bowl and gave it to Rachel on a tray, along with a spoon and napkin.
While Rachel attended her mother, Leah set the table. Ivan and Sarah came in with foaming buckets of milk, and she helped strain it into jars, then covered the jars with cloths and carried them into the basement so the cream could rise.
And when the time came to bow their heads in silent prayer before the meal, Leah expressed genuine thanks for Edith’s safe delivery.