Wife Struggles Through Labor for 25 Hours, Husband Prays Over Her & Watches Miracle Unfold
“The stars were so unbelievably bright that night. Our last walk together before our lives were about to change forever.”
These are the words of Hannah Bower, a woman full of strength and encouragement whose powerful story will uplift anyone who has shared similar struggles.
In an article for Love What Matters, Hannah shares of her experience with labor, and how some unexpected complications actually drew her and her husband closer together.
When Hannah and her husband went to the hospital the first time during her intense labor, she was met with an insensitive nurse who put the poor mom at her breaking point.
“It broke me emotionally,” Hannah shares. “My husband and I labored for 6 hours at home and the contractions were now beyond intense. I was having a hard time coping.”
Later on they returned to the hospital, hoping and praying for a better experience the second time around. Hannah’s contractions were two minutes apart.
“Once we got to the hospital and in the elevator, I broke down sobbing as I was so emotionally and physically done and terrified of having another discouraging experience if that same nurse was still there,” she says.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case at all. Hannah describes her new nurse as an “angel.” But twelve hours of natural and unmedicated labor later, she still hadn’t progressed.
Her photographer, Rachel Veltri, looked on as the couple struggled through the process together. Hannah leaned on her husband for support and he was with her the entire way.
Even with the support, Hannah felt like a failure. “I was devastated. Broken. Confused and so frustrated,” she explains. “I was doing everything I knew was right.”
Through all the fear and doubt, Hannah’s husband was so supportive. Showing love, compassion, and understanding.
“…he was so incredibly proud of me… the words I needed,” Hannah writes, speaking of her final decision to have an epidural.
Later on, Hannah had to have her water broken as well. She was given Pitocin. Her baby was breech and the mom continued to doubt herself.
In the end, it was her husband’s prayers and encouragement that saw her through. “…my husband grabbed my hand and we just got in prayer, praying over my body… I am so thankful for this man. He’s truly my king.”
After 26 hours, their son Jaden was born on June 22, 2018. Though Hannah shares she was disappointed with some of her experiences that day, she still found joy and came to realize “everything happens for a reason.”
Even the photographer says watching Hannah and her husband’s experience moved her. “They were the most graceful teammates I’ve ever seen working together,” Rachel Veltri shares. “Life is beautiful.”
Indeed, it is. We’re so thankful to Hannah for sharing her story and for Rachel who photographed the experience.
May we always remember that, despite struggles, hardships and unexpected circumstances, life is a gift more precious than gold.
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