`Twas the night of a birth. (Poetry).

`Twas the Night of a Birth

From an email circulation, anonymous (but we'd
love to know who wrote it)

   'Twas the night of a birth, when all through the house,
   Not a person was stirring, not even my spouse.
   The wet clothes were hung by the wood stove with care,
   In hopes that our electricity bill soon we could bear.
   The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
   While visions of Nintendo games danced in their heads.
   And I in my t-shirt, the cat in my lap
   Was thinking about settling in for a nap.
   When all of a sudden the telephone rang out,
   And just for a moment I nursed a small pout.
   Quickly I lifted the phone to my ear,
   Although I was sure of what I would hear
   "The contractions are coming three minutes apart,
   I think you should hurry," I heard with a start.
   I sprang from my bed and threw on my clothing,
   My husband just mumbled, "Be careful, it's snowing."
   More rapid than a two-year-old can get into trouble,
   I loaded the car and left on the double.
   The streets were quite slippery, and fog had descended,
   But I made it there safely as God had intended.
   The dad was the one who answered the door,
   The mom was undressed and down on all fours.
   "I feel like pushing," she said in despair,
   As I knelt down beside her and brushed back her hair.
   I got out my doppler and put on a glove,
   I glanced at the father, his eyes shone with love.
   The baby's heart danced as if to a song,
   Her water had broken, the cervix was gone.
   "You can push out your baby,' I said to her sweetly,
   As the wave of a contraction overtook her completely.
   And soon we could see a small patch of hair,
   As I oiled and massaged, so Mom wouldn't tear.
   With sweat and groaning, the baby moved down,
   And finally the head started to crown.
   When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
   But five tiny fingers aside of the ear!
   I extracted the arm as the head slid out,
   That the shoulders would come, I had no doubt
   And with one last push, the baby was born,
   I saw with delight that Mom hadn't torn.
   The baby was breathing and pink to her toes;
   She looked at her Mama and scrunched up her nose.
   We cut the cord and offered a breast,
   Delivered the placenta and cleaned up the mess.
   After awhile we gave the baby a bath,
   the look on her face just made us all laugh.
   I got Mother showered and snuggled in bed,
   The baby beside her, so tiny and red.
   I try to get home just as soon as I'm able,
   So I finished my charting and made sure they were stable.
   As I loaded my car, my heart turned towards home.
   I longed for my bed, I was tired to the bone.
   I got there at last and opened the door,
   Then nearly tripped over the dog on the floor.
   My family was up getting set for their day,
   The house was a mess, but would just have to wait.
   The children were screeching, the husband was muttering,
   As he cursed at the black piece of toast he was buttering.
   And I thought to myself as I collapsed in a heap,
   I love what I do, I just wish for more sleep!
   "Hi Mom!" they shouted, with a kiss and a hug,
   As my husband brought tea in a steaming mug.
   "How did it go?" he asked with concern,
   "I missed you, you know," my heart gave a turn.
   As I thought of the night that he's spent alone,
   I vowed to cut back and spend more time at home.
   The kids got their coats and yelled "Daddy, it's time!"
   As I assured him that everything had gone just fine.
   He sprang to his feet, to the kids gave a whistle,
   Out the door they all ran just as quick as a pistol.
   But I heard him exclaim, as he walked out of sight,
   "This marriage thing is harder when it involves a midwife."