As I write this, I am expecting our fifth child. I have learned something from each one of my natural births and I wanted to share in case it can be helpful to other preparing for their natural birth.
The first couple of births I experienced "from the outside." What I mean by this is the intensity of my sensations were made visible to those around me. I felt I had to show my midwives how I was feeling so they could judge the stage of my labor. I also felt I had to show my husband how I was feeling so he could best support me. Nothing extreme—my face showing pain and making sounds of intensity. Normal stuff.
However, what I discovered with my fourth birth is (at least for me) the secret to a birth that I can best describe as worshipful, peaceful, and beautiful is when I experienced the birth "from the inside."
I didn't make one sound or facial expression that showed discomfort throughout the entire 10-hour birth except for the last few minutes. It's not that I felt I couldn't show these signs of labor, I just went deep inside myself instead. My focus wasn't on sharing what I was feeling with those around me.
I listened to worship music (in earphones which I feel is important to make it even more intimate). I praised God. I focused on how thankful I was for this moment and for this experience.
And here's something I did that was extremely helpful—I focused on the sensations of labor as though they were a large marble in my hand which I would roll around and examine, study, try to learn every detail of: the weight, shape, design, colors, and feel. So with each contraction, I studied it. Almost held it, explored it, leaned into it, and grasped for it as it faded away (instead of tensing up and wishing it would end.) When I did this, the waves of birth became familiar and predictable— not scary. I learned how it felt as a contraction began, how it climbed in intensity, and then the feeling as it started to fade.
It helped that it didn't feel like something happening to me, but it felt like something I was allowed to be a part of. The opening of my body to bring life.
And the final thing I discovered (this is hard to fully describe but I am going to try). To experience labor like this, going deep within, is a very intimate thing. Intimacy with yourself and intimacy with God. My husband was a huge support and I definitely felt his presence, but I still felt like ultimately it was something I was to walk through alone. It was an experience that I would most imagine the process of death to be like. Not a scary traumatic death, but a passing from this life into the arms of God. Even though you may be surrounded by loved ones, it's a connection to God that is truly just for you and Him. No one can go with you.There's quiet.There's acceptance.There's anticipation.There's peace.And there's confidence. There's awareness you didn't have before about life. It's a spiritual thing when you allow your body to get out of the way. You are changed.
So, that's what I loved about my fourth birth and what I look forward to with this next birth and any more I am blessed to experience. This is a wonderful season of life, being able to witness the first moments of your child's life, meeting them for the first time. It's like touching heaven for just a moment.
JENNIFER CORCORAN
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So true. Our children will imbibe a lot more of what they see in our lives than what we say with our mouths. 
“A woman can do most things a man can do. A man can do many things a woman can do. But some things only a woman can do. A man cannot become pregnant, form life in a womb, give birth to a new human being and nurture the soul of that human being. It takes a woman to be a mother. Her gaze, her touch, her eyes, the nurture of her breast are uniquely and powerfully female.”
Psalm 127 reminds us that we are raising children to speak in the gates. Let’s raise a generation of children who KNOW God’s Word and who are unashamed to speak the truth! Is this your passion and purpose? As a mother you have power and influence to determine the destiny of the nation. 
There are times when you face unseen things in your life that can shake you to the very core. This is when you must remember the truth that God is with you at that very moment. He has not left you. He is at your right hand to succor you, comfort you, strengthen you, and hold you up.
Here is another beautiful poem for mothers from Val Halloran.
My lovely husband taking Family Devotions with us this morning. He is reading from The Daily Light on the Daily Path which we love to read each day. It has Bible readings for morning and evening for every day of the year. 
Who is the one who can make home the happiest? It is the mother. But it doesn’t just happen. You have to have a vision to make it happen. You have to think of lovely ideas and beautiful things you can do to make it a happy place for your husband and children. Can you think of something lovely you could do in your home today? Or perhaps at your meal table this evening? I’d love to hear about your idea. 
A long-time Above Rubies reader writes her thoughts regarding the BABY BUST.
There was a time in our history when we had a Baby Boom. The years from 1946 – 1964 were baby boom years which caused rises in the demand for homes, automobiles, roads, and services. The more births the more the country expands financially.
Where is your mind today? Dwelling in the past? Or even in the present as you mull over the difficulties you face? To dwell in the past or the present can be depressing unless you are doing it with joy and thankfulness.
Amen. 
Oh how blessed we are to serve a God who cannot lie. It is impossible for God to lie. He is the changeless One. His promises are immutable. We can trust them with our lives.
What is the thing you dislike doing most in your home? What is the "very little"? Jesus says that when you are faithful to do the VERY LITTLE you will be faithful in much.
Serene and Sam have four big window seats in their lounge and the children love them for reading nooks. Last night when we arrived for the weekly prayer meeting at their home Breeze was reading in one seat and four little ones were cozied up together in another one. The walls of their home are about two feet thick so they can have these gorgeous window seats. 
Do things seem all on top of you? You wonder how you can keep going? Can I encourage you dear, Mother, to keep plodding on? Take one step at a time. You can’t solve your problems in one moment. Your challenges won’t go away with one magic flick of your finger. Everything takes time. Instead, you keep plodding on.
No career woman would think of going to her job in her pajamas. Why then do mothers and homemakers who have the most powerful career in the nation hang around in their pajamas? It’s important to dress for your job. When you dress appropriately, your brain acts accordingly.
Do you sometimes feel like a servant in your home? You are at everyone’s beck and call. You have no time for yourself! You’d love to be out doing something really great. Instead you are stuck in your house serving everyone else. Well, praise the Lord! You are on your way to greatness. Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 20 26, 27: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.” You are in the very right place for greatness! 
Yes, life is precious! Yesterday my lovely granddaughter-in-law gave birth to a stillborn baby at 28 weeks. The loss of a baby is unbearable. It’s soul shattering. And yet many discard life as though it was nothing. May the preciousness of life come back to our nation. 
Today we talk about the last point in the Scriptures that speak to us about our duties and obligations.