8
In midst of packing and booking flights, I called the hospital. I sort of expected it would all turn out like a Lifetime movie where they would give us a room next door to the birth mom, the baby would be born, then be whisked off to our room where we would have a beautiful time of bonding as a new family. That was not the case. I was informed (and rightly so) that I had zero rights aside from what the birth mom wanted. She was delivering the baby.
I went up to the Labor & Delivery floor, signed in, and went back to greet the nurses, let them know I was there, and available if the birth mom wanted to see me when she woke up.
I went back to the small waiting room and furiously crocheted away on Jojo’s baby blanket while I waited. Not too long after, the OB doctor came out to the waiting room to talk to me – simply to give me an update on how the baby was doing. I was floored by her kindness.We talked for a little while and then she said the birth mom was awake and ready to see me when I was ready.
You know how dads act when their wives are about to go through immense pain and hard work to bring their children into this world, and they can do NOTHING to help? I know how that feels now. I went to the store and bought flowers for the birth mom, Nicole, and the doctor.
Back at the hospital, ready to meet my birth mom, I walked in to the room, set down the flowers, and went straight to my job of making sure she was as comfortable as possible. We were immediately at ease with each other.
She was in a good bit of discomfort, so we talked through the pain. I got her more ice chips, requested some pain meds, adjusted her pillows and our relationship was off and running..
Around 7 p.m. it was finally time for Jojo to be born. The birth mom made it clear that she wanted me to stay in the room with her while she delivered Jojo, and I was honored. I was able to pray with her right before the staff flooded into the room for the delivery.