Life Begins

Tweet

having the chance to see my daughter give birth to her first son, and my grandson, was to be the most remarkable experience one should see. As it turned out the joy soon turned to grief and worry as unexpected troubles caused for tragedy. Watching as my daughter was in labor and helping her during this time was so awesome to be a part of and the chance to experience life begin was to be joyous. Her labor and all that it entails was daunting yet a chance to be a part of the delivery team was wonderful. Helping her breath through the contractions and being there for her during this time made for a chance to cement our relationship further. The chance to be there during her active labor and helping her to push as our grandson was being born made for an experience that would and should make anyone fill with joy. As the process of giving birth proceeded things turned tragic in a hurry as grandson became stuck at the shoulder and arm, blocking his delivery. Watching in horror as he was twisted, pulled and yanked all the while as my daughter was flipped and turned to allow the OB doctor and the team to deliver the child made for an experience one should never have to see. The child was delivered and not breathing or alive at the time, watching the doctors and nurses hover over his lifeless body as our daughter laid the crying and bleeding. My heart sank for the joy turned to grief and horror not only for my daughter but for our grandson during this time. Having to see my daughter unable to have a normal childbirth and the fact he was not breathing gave me a sense of helplessness and something no person should ever have to experience. The doctors worked hard to bring life to this small child all the while we had to stand back and watch with horror that slowly gave way to a glimmer of hope as they called out the fact of a heartbeat and his color pinking up, even though there was no crying of a small baby. As time slipped by there was a small cry and at first I was not sure it came from him and then after the second wail from his lungs gave a rush of relief and joy as we hugged and cried with mixed emotions. The nurses worked hard to calm my daughter and to make sure she was taken care of as all this turmoil was taking place. The joy she should have been experiencing and the love for her child was being supplanted with grief and fright as she had to also watch her lifeless child being worked on less than 5 feet away. Hearing her cries for her son and the tears in her voice made my heart sink even further knowing all I could do was stand and hug my wife to help her worries as well. Seeing the doctors and nurses appear out of nowhere and in a flash was overwhelming, yet encouraging at the same time as they took great lengths to bring the lifeless child back to life and hearing his screams after all this made ones heart bounce back to life as well. The pediatrician on call the time whisked him away and gave us a glimpse of hope and when he returned to inform us all that he was doing well and breathing on his own was such a relief. Once the doctors had my daughter all taken care of and then our grandson cleaned and all the bustle settled having the chance to hold him, as the tears flowed down my face I realized once again that babies are not just a bundle of joy. Life not only begins with the birth of a child but also with the life and love they bring into our lives for a helpless child who depends on us for their care. So the next time you look down at your bundles of joy or at your growing child think again back to the love and hopes you had or have for them and relive the joy it brings to your life as you are given a chance to love someone.