The process whereby the fetus (baby inside the uterus) manoeuvres and negotiates its way down the pelvis and then comes out from the vagina is wonderful and amazing. Even women who pass through the process of obstetric labour and child birth cannot explain how it happens. Was it through this small opening that the baby passed through ?
Indeed, God is so wonderful and only him can perform such ingenuity. This process is a very difficult manoeuvre for the baby but God himself takes the baby through this rigorous and tortuous pathway safely.
Any midwife, Nurse or Doctor Who has taken part in the delevery of a baby should be filled with awe how God performs this feat. Perhaps an understanding of the mechanism of labour will enable one to appreciate this great and awaesome God.
As the cervix (neck of the womb) completely dilates(opens), the fetus undergoes these cardinal movements:
1 Descent of the head
This downward movement of the fetus enables it to pass through the narrow pelvis which otherwise will be difficult to navigate. Only the fetus hears the Almighty God to know the appropriate time to descend without harm.
Inappropriate timing of descent will cause obstruction and birth asphyxia which may be detrimental to the baby. Only the Almighty God can do that.
But thou art he that took me out of the womb psalm 22:9a
2 Flexion of the head
As the head of the fetus moves further down the pelvic inlet,it flexes or bends so that the chin presses against the chest and enables the baby to move down. Is the baby aware of all these manoeuvres? Obviously, not.
Surely there is an invisible hand that is responsible for all these.
I will instruct you and teach thee in the way you should go: I will guide thee with mine own eyes
Psalm 32: 8
This process of instructng, teaching and guiding starts right inside the uterus and continues with Children of light.
3 Internal rotation
In a determined effort to come out of the uterus, the fetus makes further movement undergoing internal rotation by angle 45 degrees. This process brings the widest diameter of the shoulders in line with the widest diameter of the pelvic inlet.
It is difficult to believe that the fetus has the capacity to undergo this harzadous manoeuvre without auto injury. There must be a higher force responsible for this.
Prophet Jeremiah gives us an insight.
O Lord, I know that the way of a man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps
Jeremiah 10:23
A full grown person with all the senses cannot direct and guide himself talkless of a baby inside the uterus. Only the Omnipotent God can do so.
4 Extension
The next step the fetus takes during labour is extension that is bending the neck backwards. Recall that the fetus had already assumed flexed position in step 2.
By returning the head backward again the head is now in a balanced position ready for the next movement and for eventual exit from the uterus.
How is the baby inside the uterus able to do this thing . Psalm 37: 23 tells us how?
The steps of a good man are ordered by God
It is God alone who orders and arrnges the movement of the baby within the pelvis.
5 Restitution
Restitution is the process whereby the shoulders that have been in the widest diameter in step three above now rotates again to assume antero-posterior position now ready for delivery. This movement places the fetus in a tangent where it will be easy for anyone who is conducting the labour to deliver the baby.
6 Expulsion
This is the last stage of delivery of a fetus. By slipping the shoulders off the perineum, the baby is now delivered. Praise the Lord! It is only God himself that understands what it takes to bring a baby into the world. That is why after David tried to study the whole situation, he concluded that man is wonderfully and fearfully made. He also acknowledged the handwork of God as very perfect.
I will praise thee; for Iam fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works and my soul know right well
Psalm 139:14
Conclusion
God manifests himself in different ways. For the Doctors, Gynaecologists, Nurses and Midwives, God manifests himself through obstetric Labour and Child birth.
Anyone who has taken part in child birth will definitely appreciate that God is awesome and that man is fearfully and wonderfully made.
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