Life Passed On-

I held a deceased baby today. I guess it was bound to happen. I've been attending births now for almost 7 years, almost completely avoiding tragedy of any kind, really. But like Margaret says, "Birth is as safe as life gets." And today was my day to see and hold a baby whose soul had passed on. Blond, fuzzy hair, red lips, long feet, absolutely gorgeous, perfectly formed full term baby girl. When she was being examined I could have sworn she was going to open her eyes, turn her head or raise her arms. It was shocking to me how UN-shocking she was in reality. Wrapped in a blanket, I found myself rocking and bouncing her as I always do when holding a newborn. Stillbirth is an appropriate medical term, I think. Because that is how she looked and felt- like any other newborn- just still. So still.