In these very difficult times, few things have the ability to move us. One of them is this image of a little boy assisting his mother during childbirth.
Last year, when Hollie Lou from Ohio, United States became a mother for the third time, she need the assistance and emotional support of others. She was accompanied by an excellent team of doctors, as well as her 9-year-old son, Charlie, who never left his mother's side and aided her during labor. He even assisted the physicians during the birth.
Hollie claims that she never once asked her son to be present during the birth; rather, he volunteered. Rarely do boys get the opportunity to engage in such activities. Birth and breastfeeding are natural processes, so when my sons begged me to be present for my delivery, I consented. I didn't want them to miss out on the learning opportunities that come with having a baby," said Hollie, who also has a son two years younger than Charlie.
The woman states that she prepared the youngster for this time by showing him various birthing supplies. Charlie attended a lesson on birthing preparation, which helped him comprehend what his mother's body experiences during labor. In essence, Charlie acted as a doula, providing support not only for his mother but also for his newborn sister.
Although it is understandable that a 9-year-old cannot have professional training or hands-on experience in childbirth assistance, Hollie's eldest son's mental support helped her get through the most difficult labor stages.
Hollie remarked that having Charlie present during the most difficult stage of her labor gave her the strength to overcome her doubts. "His soothing touch between contractions was so kind and centered me, allowing me to restore my concentration. Both of our sons spent considerable time preparing for supporting roles. Charlie assumed the post with ease. My sons requested a mini-class on childbirth education, which I taught to emotionally prepare them for witnessing a birth. Having my closest loved ones cheer me on during the hardest thing I've ever done was precisely what I needed to get through it. His presence reminded me that I had accomplished this previously and could do so again."