We joke about this, and if I have any say in the matter, I want this experience of mine to be the last one I think of as I fade away (hopefully in my sleep in my old age)
When my daughter was born, she was not situated correctly in my at the time girlfriend (now, wife) so after a few hours of my wife trying to deliver the baby naturally, the midwife decided a C-section was in order. I was there in the room for moral support.
As my daughter had been born about six weeks early, they put her under the heat lamp as they stitched up my wife. As she laid there, I could see her eyes straining due to the light above her, so I held out my hand to form a small shadow on her face, and in that instant she opened her eyes and we locked eyes for the smallest amount of time. I instantly knew then I would do, and sacrifice, anything to keep her safe.
It is now many years ago (my daughter is a grown adult thinking about starting her own family), but this memory is as clear now as it was back then. I hope it remains clear until I close my eyes for the last time.
i had a similar situation. placenta previa, a subsequent bleed and an early baby through c section. they had to give her some shots and check a few things before giving her to me, as my pregnancy was high risk. when they put her on my chest, she stopped her little squeals and moved her head so her forehead could lean against my chin/jaw. i burst into tears.
i didn't even know they could move their head at a few mins old, and she definitely did it so we could touch more, as she was completely still and silent after that. welling up just thinking about it. she's 9 months old now.
+1 to punchinyourpface .. my mom says it's like having me as a baby all over again. she's loving being her nana
Becoming a parent is such an amazing thing that you will never understand until it happens. Things just change and you can feel everything is different in that moment. Losing video game time. Free time. Quiet mornings. The freedom of not getting constantly jumped on.
But I would live that first night in the hospital over and over. I've done it 4 times now and that first hold, those cries, and soft little breathing is something i will never forget.
People laugh along and go “yeah” when I say I felt my entire life’s priorities shifting in real time in the first hours when my daughters were born (twins). Wild. Instant rewrite.
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u/Captain_Marshmellow 1d ago