A Miraculous Heartbeat

Bekah Dinneen

January 5, 2010

A student and I were conducting a delivery with a case that had been labouring since morning. As Birth Attendants, we learn and put into practice covering each delivery in prayer, saying aloud a prayer for the woman and welcoming God’s presence in that exact moment. All seemed to be going normally when the baby delivered and appeared lifeless. Seconds later the placenta delivered as well.

The placenta is the baby’s sustenance, with it delivering so shortly after the baby we knew this baby was not getting any oxygen and asked ourselves “How long has the baby been without oxygen?” When we laid our hands on the baby it miraculously had a heartbeat and so we quickly separated the baby so that it could be stimulated and resuscitated. We knew we were experiencing a miracle, how was the heart beating if there was no source of blood?

At the exact moment that the baby was being delivered, a doctor was bringing two med students around for a tour. When the placenta came so quickly, he commented to the effect of, “too bad, the baby is dead” and when he heard our exclamations that the baby was alive, he shook his head and said “this is because the followers of Jesus are here”.

We have had many conversations previously with this Muslim doctor about the power in Jesus and in this moment, he gave glory to God and rightfully acknowledged that the miracle of this baby’s life belonged to God.