My son was born within an hour of when we checked into the hospital. While getting registered around 3 I was only 5 cm dilated and was having increasingly strong contractions. By the time I got to the Labor & Delivery room, I was having constant contractions and could barely open my eyes. Each time I opened my eyes, Zakkiyya was there rooting for me and helping me know what to do next. She was cheering for me and encouraging me. I didn't even really get the chance to meet her, but I knew she was there and guiding me through. At the time, I couldn't focus on anything else, and Zakkiyya led me through the pain. I quickly felt I had to push and again focused on Zakkiyya. When she said it wasn't time yet, she held my legs and rubbed my shoulders. When I was screaming that I couldn't do it, she kept telling me that I could. She told me what to do and how to breathe.

Turns out I was already 10 cm dilated, and she coached me as I pushed without the epidural I had been planning. It was totally different than the way I pushed with my first pregnancy, and she knew exactly what I needed to do. Again, in the blur of everything I can just picture my husband's hands and Zakkiyya's mind facing telling me I had this and would be ok.

C was born at 3:30, and I continued to stay with Zakkiyya for monitoring for the next few hours. Her presence kept me feeling calm and as comfortable as possible. She will always be a part of my birth story, and I'm so thankful to have had such a positive experience.