You can add your comments/suggestions on this work at the bottom of this page…

Chapter Seventeen

Mid May… 1679

Before the end of the second week of May everything had been arranged. Emma Ballard, wife of Captain Chapman’s new apprentice had met with Rebekah and agreed to join her in her practice as midwife to the women of the village. No money exchanged hands but a firm commitment had been made. Rebekah agreed to share her skills as midwife and Emma would learn what she could from the experience and assist wherever she was able.

In the first days of their arrangement, Emma was terribly nervous and unsure of herself. Rebekah found herself spending more time comforting her new assistant than the expectant mothers.

“Do not fret, Emma. Your business is to comfort the mother-to-be and assure her all will go smoothly. I will see to the actual birthing itself. Your task is to pay attention to what it is I do, and follow my lead. Do not be anxious, especially in front of the family, as it only serves to make them anxious—especially the men. You will find new fathers worry overmuch. I have found it best to distract them with tasks that send them off into the fields or some such place far away from the house.”

Emma nodded agreement as Rebekah continued. “Assisting a woman with the birth of her child is a wonderful thing. A holy thing. You should think on it as a privilege. You are witness to one of the great events of life and your part in making the way easy for the mother is most valuable.”

“I do believe it to be true, Mistress Rand. Still I am terribly nervous and must say I am most glad you are my teacher and are not leaving me alone to see the thing through on my own.”

“Be patient with yourself, Emma. There is much I need to teach you but by summers end, you will be well practiced in the art of assisting women. By next spring, I wager, you will be well able to practice on your own.”

And so it was. By late July, after a dozen successful birthings, Rebekah was satisfied that Emma would do well as her assistant. They worked together and new mothers spoke openly of their combined skills to the other women who gathered at each birth. Emma seemed happy with their arrangement of teacher and apprentice, and her presence provided welcome relief for Rebekah during a very busy summer, especially now that her own child was soon to be delivered.

Rebekah’s best calculations placed her due date near to the middle of September, but her body told her the delivery of her child would likely come sooner. She suddenly felt the child move within her womb, and a small cry escaped her lips. The child was not yet ready to be born but she knew it would not be long before her own delivery would be upon her. It was time to send word to her own mentor, Philippa Pritchett. Having a friend and experienced midwife at her bedside would be a great comfort.

“Is anything wrong, Miss Rebekah?”

Rebekah stifled her next cry and shook her head “no.”

“Do not worry yourself, Emma. I am fine. Pay attention to Mistress Warren.”

Emma refocused on the patient.
“Hold her arms and support her back as I ease the babe into position.”

Rebekah lifted the bedclothes and checked her patient. “It will not be long now, Mistress. Now, take Emma’s hand and when I tell you to push, you must push down as hard as you are able.”

“I have no strength left, miss.”

“You must try. Your baby is ready to be born, but you must help. Now push as hard as you can.”

The woman grabbed Emma’s hand and did her best to do as she was told and within a few more contractions, the sixth child of the Warren family, a little boy, was welcomed into the world.”

Rebekah quickly cut the umbilical cord and performed the last steps to complete the birthing. She then wrapped the newborn in swaddling clothes and presented him to his mother. “A brilliant new son for you, Mistress Warren.”

“God be praised,” whispered the exhausted woman. She lay back, and closed her eyes. “I hope my husband will be pleased,” she murmured.

“As well he should be. You have delivered a right handsome new boy for him.” Rebekah smiled broadly.

The neighbor women who had been watching the birthing moved in closer to admire the child. “He favors his father, for certain,” one said. “A handsome boy born under an August moon is sure to live a long and happy life,” a second one said loudly. The others agreed.