Sudden birth tests mom's mettle

Baby Sahara, Mom Michelle Barnes, and maternal grandmother, Kay Barnes. Photo by Jaki Roberson

Michelle Barnes of Sisters was three days away from her due date of May 11. She and husband Robert Lucas were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second child. Everything was planned and the couple had decided to do a home birth, a water birth, in fact.

Their son, two-year-old Hunter, had entered the world at a birth center in Anchorage, Michele's hometown. It had been a lovely experience -- scented candles, sterilized towels, and his parents' loving arms. A skilled midwife assisted.

Daughter Sahara Alexa Jayden Lucas' debut was a different baby story.

Michelle glanced at the clock; it was 10:30 p.m. and her contractions were now about 20 minutes apart. She had called her midwife, Jen Bucilli, earlier to alert her to the situation. Swiftly, the contractions became closer. Another call to Bucilli. She asked Robert to draw the bath and to take sleeping Hunter next door to Michelle's parents, Kay and Ron Barnes.

After they had left, Michelle entered the bathroom, preparing last details. And then it happened in a minute: Baby Sahara was born with one instinctive push. Michelle had eased onto the floor when she realized what was imminent.

Michele describes something primal taking over, keeping her from panicking, especially when she saw the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck, not once but twice.

"It was intuitive," she said. "I gently eased it over her head, knowing not to tear it."

Sahara was crying hard, a good sign. Michelle reached for a towel on a nearby rack and wrapped her, holding her in disbelief that it had all happened so fast.

Robert rushed in, expecting to find his wife in painful labor. So did Sydney, their mixed Lab dog. Sydney assessed the event and for reasons known only to her, jumped into the bathtub, into the now defunct birthing bath. Robert insisted that she GET OUT RIGHT NOW! Sydney stayed put.

The midwife did arrive to cut the cord and ascertain that mother and baby were just fine. Pediatrician John Everret, M.D., confirmed the same.

Michelle is still a bit dismayed that Sahara didn't get the pretty towels, the candlelight, and tranquillity. She insists, however, that things, which cannot compare, blessed them.

"Anything can happen. Anything." muses Michelle. "There is nothing we can't handle. God is there."