This story took place over 60 years ago. It starts when a young couple finds out they're going to have a baby after 18 months of marriage. They live in rural America on a farm and in a nearly 125 year old farmhouse that was remodeled just before their marriage.
It was decided that when the contractions started the young woman would hang a towel on the corn crib as the young man was working in the fields. When he saw it there he'd know it was time to stop and head to the hospital. Somewhere between 2- 3 pm on a Friday in early May the towel was hung. The soon-to-be dad became so excited he made a very sharp turn and travelled so quickly back to the house that the 3-bottom plow he was pulling turned upside down and drag the whole way. Neighbours later reported they knew the time had come because this young man would never make that type of mistake under normal circumstances. The couple made it to the hospital in plenty of time, it was their first so they were being cautious.
This was 60 years ago so the dads had to sit quietly in the waiting room smoking cigarettes and were not allowed in to be a part of the birth itself. The soon-to-be mom remembers there being concern after the initial examination because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. That is the last thing she remembers because, back in the day, mothers were given a general anaesthetic to give birth. The new mom woke up later to be told she had given birth at about 9 pm to a 5 pound 1 ounce (2.30 kg) baby girl.
During the waiting time the dad drove home to milk the cows (cows need to be milked at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening) but apparently he was rattled enough that he forgot to put his precious Studebaker in park. It rolled down a short incline and stopped when it hit a small grove of trees. Again not the type of mistake this new dad would generally make; he must have been excited about the new arrival. (Apparently it was a bad day to be a piece of equipment on that farm.) He returned to the hospital to find out he was the daddy of a baby girl. Mom and baby were doing just fine.
This tale ends with additional details; first the extra 1 ounce on that baby girl kept her out of the incubator (apparently 5 pounds or less caused a baby to be considered premature) and second, had the baby waited to arrive much longer the umbilical cord could have strangled her. Somehow this very little girl managed to escape both potentially negative consequences. Finally, the week prior to the birth had been cool and winter-like, no buds were out yet on the trees. However, when mom and daughter were discharged from the hospital five days later it felt like summer with warmth in the air and greenery on the trees.
It is my birthday today another Friday and that story of my birth or at least portions of it have been told to me countless times in the last 62 years. I have the very good fortune to still be able to talk to the only two eye witnesses to this event, my parents. The good luck that infant had in coming into the world just in time and 1 ounce over weight has continued. From my POV I have escaped almost all potentially negative consequences my entire life. That's two very fortunate aspects of my life.
I talked to Mom and Dad today to be sure I got the details about my birth right. (Things like the towel and the Studebaker were clarified). This year I thought it a good idea to write the story down here so I too can remember it correctly. What a gift to talk to both your parents at age 62 about your own birth. It is about one of the best type of gifts one can get. Or maybe a photo from my grand daughter wishing me a happy birthday in my inbox this morning tops it.
It's good to be able to write a review of an antique, even if it is merely recounting the details of your own birth.
Oh and for those wondering, I celebrated by taking the day off from work, going out for breakfast and bingeing on the second season of House of Cards, well and knitting, but that goes without saying, doesn't it?
It was decided that when the contractions started the young woman would hang a towel on the corn crib as the young man was working in the fields. When he saw it there he'd know it was time to stop and head to the hospital. Somewhere between 2- 3 pm on a Friday in early May the towel was hung. The soon-to-be dad became so excited he made a very sharp turn and travelled so quickly back to the house that the 3-bottom plow he was pulling turned upside down and drag the whole way. Neighbours later reported they knew the time had come because this young man would never make that type of mistake under normal circumstances. The couple made it to the hospital in plenty of time, it was their first so they were being cautious.
This was 60 years ago so the dads had to sit quietly in the waiting room smoking cigarettes and were not allowed in to be a part of the birth itself. The soon-to-be mom remembers there being concern after the initial examination because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. That is the last thing she remembers because, back in the day, mothers were given a general anaesthetic to give birth. The new mom woke up later to be told she had given birth at about 9 pm to a 5 pound 1 ounce (2.30 kg) baby girl.
During the waiting time the dad drove home to milk the cows (cows need to be milked at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening) but apparently he was rattled enough that he forgot to put his precious Studebaker in park. It rolled down a short incline and stopped when it hit a small grove of trees. Again not the type of mistake this new dad would generally make; he must have been excited about the new arrival. (Apparently it was a bad day to be a piece of equipment on that farm.) He returned to the hospital to find out he was the daddy of a baby girl. Mom and baby were doing just fine.
This tale ends with additional details; first the extra 1 ounce on that baby girl kept her out of the incubator (apparently 5 pounds or less caused a baby to be considered premature) and second, had the baby waited to arrive much longer the umbilical cord could have strangled her. Somehow this very little girl managed to escape both potentially negative consequences. Finally, the week prior to the birth had been cool and winter-like, no buds were out yet on the trees. However, when mom and daughter were discharged from the hospital five days later it felt like summer with warmth in the air and greenery on the trees.
It is my birthday today another Friday and that story of my birth or at least portions of it have been told to me countless times in the last 62 years. I have the very good fortune to still be able to talk to the only two eye witnesses to this event, my parents. The good luck that infant had in coming into the world just in time and 1 ounce over weight has continued. From my POV I have escaped almost all potentially negative consequences my entire life. That's two very fortunate aspects of my life.
I talked to Mom and Dad today to be sure I got the details about my birth right. (Things like the towel and the Studebaker were clarified). This year I thought it a good idea to write the story down here so I too can remember it correctly. What a gift to talk to both your parents at age 62 about your own birth. It is about one of the best type of gifts one can get. Or maybe a photo from my grand daughter wishing me a happy birthday in my inbox this morning tops it.
Oh and for those wondering, I celebrated by taking the day off from work, going out for breakfast and bingeing on the second season of House of Cards, well and knitting, but that goes without saying, doesn't it?
loved the story! Way to go for your dad to pull it together to get your mom to the hospital before it was too late.
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