Finally, it was time. The doctor had okayed an induction and Isaacson was on his way, whether he wanted to or not.Isaac was a long awaited baby- 8 years long awaited. He was coming into a family with two older siblings that were ready and willing to nuture that little lump. And Jacque and Aaron were ready for a bundled baby to grace their home just the way their other two had.
I got to the hospital in the late morning. By then, Jacque was calm and peaceful, thanks to Dr. Chan and his wonder epidural. The lights were dimmed and the TV babbled quietly in the background. Everything was moving along steadily.
I had my little Jack with me. We ate crackers and drank bottles while Jacque contracted and dilated. Slowly, family members began appearing for the event. Mother in-law and father in-law were in and out. Mother Dianne brought ice water. Soon cousin Sarah joined us with her little lump Nora May. Sarah was our authority, for little Nora was her 7th baby. All of this hospital business was old hat for her. Next came sister in-law Melissa. We all sat in our chairs circling Jacque, watching her like a time bomb.
In the late afternoon, Jacque could feel that the time was coming soon. Transition is never pretty for Jacque, even while on an epidural. Melissa massaged Jacque’s hands and feet while she moved through the most painful part of labor. Husband Aaron anxiously stroked Jacque’s forehead. Transition labor was the last step before baby Isaac was to enter the world. Knowing this, Melissa was quick to give Jacque her last makeup touch-up, so she would be picture ready.
Before we all knew it, the nurses were wheeling in all the needed equipment. Siblings Ariel and Eli were ushered in, as they were invited to watch baby brother make his entrance. Jack was taken out and waited in the hall with his daddy. All 8 of us lucky observers positioned ourselves at the head of the bed. Before the pushing even began, Mom Dianne and sister in-law Melissa began crying.
The doctor asked for the first push. Nothing.
“No no no, try again. You aren’t pushing right.”
Then came the next push and then came the baby. That was it. 2 pushes and baby Isaac took his first breath.
Jacque got a quick look and then the nurses whisked him away. We all crowded around the little warming table and stared at Isaac’s tiny features. His little head was covered in black hair and his black eyes peered curiously at all of us. The only thing that wasn’t so tiny were his lips. I could swear his lips took up half of his face.
Isaacson was dressed and tightly wrapped in a warm blanket. He was carefully passed around as family members talked of how much he looked like his daddy.
What an honor it was to be there for that sweet nephew’s arrival. I am so grateful for my sister in-law’s willingness to let me be in the room. It is magical to watch a little life come into this world.
DeliveringTale by sister-in-law, Whitney. Read more of Whitney at Rookie Cookie.
Click here for a DeliveringTale about Whitney.
