The Gauntlet

Our son was born on Monday, April 7 at 4:22 in the A.M.

I hope to reflect soon, but here's a blow-by-blow of recent events.

My previous post proved eerily true. Emily's water broke around 1 AM. It was grayish brown; meconium was present in the fluid. It was panic inducing. But we got our wits about us, jumped into the shower and got ready. We called our other birth coach, Emily's sister "Heather." Every time Emily shifted or had a contraction more sludge came out. Then we thought:
"How do we get there without fucking up our car seats?"
Heather came equipped with some overnight pads and we were off to the races.

Amongst my friends I am not famous for my sense of direction. I have gotten lost in my hometown of Buffalo, NY many times. Most of the time this is manifested as a wrong turn followed by a zip around the block or a U-ey. So the point is...I made a wrong turn getting to the hospital. My wife--this should show you how strong she is and how hopeless I am--corrected my mistake MID CONTRACTION! What a catch.

So we got to the hospital and were admitted. The obstetrician asked Emily to hop up on a bed and put her feet in the stirrups. He squeezed some goop on her belly, looks to the monitor and says....

FADE TO BLACK, CUE MINOR 7 CHORDS AND VOICEOVER

Waiting

And so we wait. My wife "Emily" and I are waiting and doing what we can to convince our son to enter our world soon.

I am still anxious and happy. Most recently, I am happy because this whole 9 months I was fairly certain that I will continue with my life with both a wife and a child. Medical care is great! As stressed as I am about money and careers and cars and cribs, I have never worried about losing a part of my family.

We are lucky to live in a time where science and tradition are welcome in the birth. Emily and I hope to have our baby with as little intervention as possible. We have been practicing massage techniques and meditations. We have been walking, drinking teas, and more. If these don't work, we have skilled professionals. It will be great if they work. To be pretty certain that me, Emily, and our child will come out that hospital with a baby and a good story is a relief.

There are still many obstacles we have to worry about. Have I even imagined half of them? My life really changed when I heard this poem at church one morning: "Ithaka" by Constantine Cavafy. I thought to welcome obstacles and challenges. At least I won't have to face them alone.