The Birth of a Baby: Limitations on Manhood and Womanhood

They say every time a baby is born another life is taken in exchange. Sort of like a circle which takes a life to bring a new one into this world.

I would like to thank the man who allowed my son to grace me with his presence. Maurice Daysean was born 8 lbs 2 oz on June 20^th, 2007. On that very same day my life seemed to be graced with its true meaning.

My girlfriend found out she was pregnant late around 2 or 3 months. As an athlete she always had irregular periods so it was kind of like a hit or miss thing. She and I were going through some rough times at that period, but nevertheless we both agreed we were ready for what the Lord had blessed us with.

As it turns out time was more ready than I was. About a week before the baby was due we had a scheduled doctor's visit early morning. With all things going routine I thought I would make it out of there without embracing the pressures of parenthood. My girlfriend was apparently having contractions 2-3 minutes apart and had no physical sign or fatigue from it. She was 9 months pregnant and never faced morning sickness, loss of appetite, mood swings (well I thought so), or even feeling contractions! As with the news the doctor decided she needed to go to the hospital for additional monitoring and he assumed she would berth a baby within the next two days. He couldn't have been any more accurate.

Later that morning we reached our recommended destination. We clocked in at the hospital front desk around 11:30 A.M. We were pushed away in a small room watching television where she was strapped up with monitors and left on a hard hospital bed. Not once did she complain about having to be there or even the pregnancy for that matter.

After about 10 episodes of Law and Order we noticed we had been in this same room for 12 dreadful hours! Being impatient I left the room to go to the front desk to see what we were waiting on. As I opened the door I saw a nurse coming our way to move us into one of the labor rooms. At that moment I tried my hardest to hide my nervousness from the person who I thought needed it the most; my girlfriend. But looking over at her, nothing but confidence and strength covered her character.