It was 32 years ago today I was standing next to my wife's hospital bed, going through all the Lamaze stuff and nearly dying with anticipation at the coming of our first child. The Doctor came in and smiled, time to check again. Suddenly the smile was gone and he begin giving orders that ended in "stat". I kept asking and he kept ignoring me. Finally a nurse told me the baby was breech."You just checked her yesterday, you said it was normal, what you don't know a head from a butt!" My Irish had risen. Still ignoring me he told the nurse to remove me. OK now I'm good and pissed and told the nurse to get several large orderlies, they would be needed if I was going anywhere. In all this confusion my suddenly very young and small wife said calmly "Please go", I left. I made a solemn vow to myself, win. lose, or draw I was going to kick that Doctor's butt. I've been afraid many times, but never so helplessly afraid.The nurse came out to say my wife still wanted to try a normal birth, but everything was ready if they needed a C section.Fourteen lifetimes later the nurse reappeared and asked if I wanted to see my daughter. The old granddaughter of a Kentucky tobacco farmer had done it the hard way. And I hugged and thanked the Doctor, I had a lot of growing up to do myself. This was about the only drama she caused us. A wonderful child , a successful adult and a loving daughter. Plus she gave us Ethan, charter member of the Little Rat Pack. Happy Birthday Bird I love ya.
Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing your daughter the happiest of birthdays! She looks like a sweet lady, you must be very proud of her, Dad!
ReplyDeleteFunny how we can barely remember so many other moments in our lives, yet every detail of the birth of our children always stay so vivid, almost like it just happened.
SP: Thank you
ReplyDeleteLily: So true and thank you
Happy birthday to your daughter! What a sweet tribute, and cheers to your wife for all she went through. If you have Kentucky blood in your veins, you're from tough stock!
ReplyDeleteMoving narrative...and happy birthday to the star of that show....well 2 stars....daughter and wife...we are bit players in those dramas....like you I will never forget the foray into that delivery room...did it 3 times and it was a life changing experience every time.
ReplyDeleteRemember that feeling driving home from the hospital and silently asking yourself, Now What?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to a very lucky gal.
Oh what a beautiful birthday tribute. No better gift from her daddy -- nothing wrapped in beautiful paper or bows could compare this one. I would print it out and frame it if I were the subject of such a thoughtful post. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my sweet Olivia (now almost 20) put my husband through much the same scare during her birth. I recall him questioning every move the doctor made and I distinctly remember him saying, as they were inserting the tube into my back for the epidural, "Hey doc, you sure you know what you're doing???"
Thankfully I was already heavily medicated and in enough pain to let that one go, instead of my usual being mortified at this words. (He is not one to mince words). :)
Happy Birthday to your sweet girl. I think you should celebrate all weekend. We here in blog land officially declare this "BIRD'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND".
Here! Here!
~Ruth
JMW: Oh yeah my wife comes from Kentucky Irish no less. Birth the baby and get back to hoeing the corn!
ReplyDeleteMLS: Luckily for us the other two trips were much less dramatic, well for me as you said the bit player.
Toad: Indeed yes, I still don't have the answer.
It appears your bird didn't fall far from the tree. She looks like a marvelous woman, & from your posts a fabulous mom and daughter. Your birthday tribute to your sweet girl and the wife you adore is perfect James. Happy Birthday to you Bird ~
ReplyDeleteAw, wonderful post sir, and many happy returns to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI too was one of those sneaky babies that did a somersault at the last minute and caused a C-section. I've always had to do things the hard way, it seems. ;)
Bonjour James,
ReplyDeleteMarvelous story. Your daughter is beautiful! Hmmm, I think she looks like her Dad!
Bon week-end,
Mimi
Happy Birthday to your daughter!!
ReplyDeleteI hope she has a fabulous year :O)
My husband was shoved out of the OR when our son was born so he can relate to what you went through. He told me he didn't know if he should faint or cry - someone brought him a chair.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Greetings James,
ReplyDeleteLove the story of your daughter's birth-how James of you-going to kick the doctor's butt, such spunk!
She must be a lovely daughter considering she has the most elegant and loving father one could have.
“May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you..I think you have yours.
Cheers my friend.
Aaah that is such a lovely story of your daughter's birth James - brought a tear to my eye - hope she had a wonderful day... x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I'm envying your daughter still having her loving Dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I've been known to get my Irish up from time to time. Comes in handy! Happy birthday to your daughter. - Erin
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, and what a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that with us. Happy Birthday to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteOh James, this is absolutely great, such lovely words about your daughter...my husband's birthday was July 8, it's a good week to be born:)
ReplyDeleteChildbirth is no fun, full stop....but I always think it must be very hard to be an onlooker and see your wife in such an extreme situation, you must feel totally helpless. It is amazing how we can recall the birth stories years later - the first one is particularly hard, you can read and prepare all you like beforehand but nothing really prepares you for it, in my opinion.
I absolutely loved your comment today, that really made me laugh - I am sure you are quite right though ;) I shall be focusing on sensible eating and exercise, as soon as I think "diet", I feel quite miserable :)
Now....recommend me a book please? Something that I really should have read by this time in my life. I will read anything except crime, horror and sci-fi.
Have a good day :)
Our oldest, and only, turned 13 June 2. I can remember like it was yesterday going through the emergency c-section ordeal. We were at the hospital at 7pm, she was born at 7:22. It still gives me chills and brings a tear to my eye thinking about that day. She too is growing into a great person.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday!
Happy Birthday to your darling daughter, James! What a sweet post! I only saw this from the other side of the bed and back then, husbands were NEVER allowed in the delivery room.
ReplyDeleteMy sweet daughter is 52! Hard for me to believe.
oh my same thing happened to me, emergency breech....I said the exact same thing....no time for a c-section, 9lb 10oz then, heaven only knows now, he's just turned 20.....
ReplyDeleteYay for Summer babies! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful story. I can see how in that situation it would be difficult to stay calm and nice -- especially after being told everything was fine one day and then learning there's a problem the next! I'm glad everything turned out well. You seem like one proud papa! It's so fascinating to learn about what happened before we all came into the world.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a daughter, I feel your total dedication in your words, unconditional love, I learned it's meaning only when mine arrived some 22 years ago.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and your wife 32 years ago, and a Happy Birthday to your DD.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that she is as worthy of your pride, as you are of hers.
James,
ReplyDeleteSweet memories. Your pride is obvious, and for good reason. Happy Birthday to your daughter - is one lucky girl to have such a wonderful father and grandfather for her Ethan. Rita
PS - I'm still on leave, but just couldn't control my need to view a few of my favorite blogs.
My "baby" turned 30 in May. I am the happy grandmother of 5 beautiful grandchildren. I enjoyed my visit to your blog. I hope your baby got her birthday wish.
ReplyDeleteWishing you happiness, Katherine
OK Sir..we are still waiting on those answers...
ReplyDeleteShe is adorable!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC