When my husband and I were expecting our first child, we asked a Christian Science practitioner to pray with us. He suggested that we study the chapter “Genesis” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. During the pregnancy, we met with the practitioner monthly, and the study he recommended helped strengthen our understanding of God as the only creator and source of all life, and of our parental role as witnesses to what God is creating and nurturing.

During labor, the doctor told us the baby was in an incorrect position. After a while, he recommended that we move from the birthing center to a hospital. My husband was in close contact with the practitioner during this time, and I mentally sang hymns. I especially appreciated the line in Mrs. Eddy’s “Communion Hymn” that refers to God as “strongest deliverer” (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 298). I affirmed that God was in control of the entire situation. 

At the hospital, the doctor on duty prepared to perform a cesarean delivery, but paused just a few minutes before proceeding, to allow for the possibility of a natural birth. Our daughter was born in that interval and was perfectly healthy.