Honored

By Akida Cooper, Senior Survivor Mentor & Groupwork Specialist

I wanted to share with you an experience I felt honored to be a part of with one of the youth I mentor. S* (age 19) asked me if I would be her support in the labor & delivery room, as she has no one - of course, I said YES! I felt both excited & honored that she felt comfortable enough to ask this of me; it confirmed that she trusts me.

It was a rough three days - whew! - but an amazing experience. I could never have pictured going through this with a youth that I mentor, but now that I have, I am more than willing to do it again and again if it means being a support to someone who has none. Here I am, the person my 15 year-young self needed when I was birthing my children. I will never forget the bonding that took place over the course of S’s three-day labor; watching her advocate for herself and the baby's needs were such proud moments for me. Her mom, who has been estranged from her life, came to visit on day three. This turned out to be powerful and healing all in one, especially as we know that the mother/daughter dynamic can be difficult for some. 

S decided to have a C-section on the third day of labor, and her mom supported her in the delivery room, which I felt was ideal. I anxiously waited in the room ready to meet the baby boy. He was born about 35 minutes later! They brought him right out to me while they continued to care for mom. I couldn't believe I was finally holding him (!) and that a new chapter was beginning for both him and his mom. My mentee has done such a great job caring for herself and her baby boy from day one of learning she was expecting. I have no doubt she's going to provide him with all the love in the world and will be a great parent. Since being at My Life My Choice, the meaning of the word "life" has taken new meaning for me as a Senior Survivor Mentor, particularly in this moment with S.

It was the sound of the baby’s heart on the monitor, the sounds of active labor, the sense of empowerment coming from all the women present, supporting her through a process that was similar to what we experience in life on any given day. It was the Doula, it was us together encouraging her through the pushing. It was witnessing the awkwardness you could see between a mother and daughter whose relationship is strained, but making progress for this baby. 

My, my, my! What an honor!

*The mentee's name has been abbreviated to protect their confidentiality.