Name: Brad Edwards | City: St. Louis MO | IG: @Reacey23
Take us through your thoughts the moment you realized your child was ready to come into this world.
My daughter was our rainbow baby, we lost twins in 2017 so even up to the day we were going in to be induced none of it felt real. I was being positive and trusting in God’s plan but for some reason I didn’t really want to have that overjoyed feeling into I was able to see we face and hear her cry. It was most def a roller coaster of emotions leading up to that moment.
What were your physical, mental, and emotional feelings while in the delivery room as your child was entering the world.
When labor was taking place I was completely focused on the health of the mother and child. We were listening to our favorite gospel songs and I just remember the “Closer” by Marvin Sapp when I heard the doctor say “She is almost there, look at all that hair”. Me being me I was happy to hear my baby wasn’t bald headed so I look over to see and BOOM the head pops out. I yelled “Yo WTF” loud as heck lol, 15 seconds later the whole body was out. and it was the most amazing thing I has ever witnessed.
Describe what it felt like holding your child for the first time?
It was indescribable. Something I wanted for so long was finally here and it was so much love in this little face that I was looking into that I couldn’t do anything but smile and cry at the same time. It was the single greatest moment of my life.
Do you have any advice for fathers who are expecting for the first time?
I had recently co-founded a health care start up, Melcura, so I did months of research and interviews with black mothers and I knew the risks that they face with every labor and delivery. The best thing I can tell any father is, do your research and consult a doula about what can take place, and be present in the delivery so you can be an advocate for the mother and child. Don’t go kick it with your friends, be there to make sure your family is safe.
