Yes, he really did faint. Not the sudden “thud” kind, but more of the gentle drooping type of fainting. Third time in the delivery room and he faints. But wait—it’s not what you think. It wasn’t the scents or sight of blood or fluids or even nerves that had him fainting. That would’ve been too easy.
It was lack of food. Yes, the big guy needs more than a few onion rings to fill him up. Here are the details.
So, in birth story part 1, you remember that he played chauffeur the morning of January 20. He, however, neglected to eat breakfast. Then after dropping the girls & I home, he went straight to work, not stopping to eat and bypassed all food places as he went. He was very busy at work, and quickly stopped for some onion rings. He worked a bit longer than usual, then went grocery shopping after work. When he came home, it was straight to the girls’ bedtime routines and tucking them in. Please note that he still has not yet eaten…
My water broke at 9 pm, so he quickly changed and we went to the hospital. I did pack Jono a bag full of granola bars, chips and water. The major food groups were covered—salty & sweet. Again, we bypassed all sorts of eating places, though I did keep telling him that he could and should get something to eat. There was a coffee shop still open when we arrived at the hospital at 9:40 pm—I encouraged him again to get something. And again, he declined, wanting to see me settled first.
By the time I got a room (I was in triage first) and “settled” in, it was after midnight. And FINALLY he went and got something to eat. He was a bit worried to leave me because he didn’t want to miss the baby’s birth. (Jhyelle was born soon after I’d arrived at the hospital.) I couldn’t blame him. How do you explain that?? Sorry, honey, Daddy was there but was too hungry to hang around while you were being born?? He came back as quickly as he could, relieved to not have missed any action.
Just before the pushing started, I noticed he was wearing a fleece sweater over his shirt. I asked him if he wanted to take off his sweater, to be more comfortable. No, he’s fine, he says. I ask if he’s sure. Yes, he says. (This is key!)
Baby comes out and out of the corner of my eye, I see him bending towards me. I thought he was going to kiss my forehead. Then I hear the Doctor call out “Oh, Dad’s down!”
Ummm, WHAT?!?!?!
I was immediately worried. He’s never passed out! Ever!! I knew it wasn’t the delivery room or anything. Now I’m worrying that he’s suddenly sick. And remember from part 2 of the birth story, how there were a number of people in the room? Well, why did the Doctor have to order somebody to help Jono? Seriously! “Somebody! Help! Dad!!” were her exact words. Like hello, ladies, I certainly was in no position to do anything. And the Doctor was a wee bit busy tending to me. The resident was closest to him and just stared as though this was her first night in the delivery room. My nurse had to come from the other side of the room to help him out. Their next panic was for his head. They thought he had hit it because of their viewpoint when he fell. So, they’re also examining him for blood and bruising. (He did not hit his head.) They managed to get him sitting up before he awoke.
Then I hear Jono ask “what’s going on?” They tell him he passed out, and began bombarding him about his head injury. He kept saying he was fine, and they sort of helped him up from the floor and into a chair. (He’s like 6’3 and they were all about 5’5; not too much help from them either here). Then there was talk of his going to the ER because they all swore he’d hit his head, despite his assurance that his head was unscathed in this adventure.
After my Doctor got me all stitched up and the baby was tended to and the extra players left the scene, my Doctor came back in with some apple juice. All those people, and the second busiest person in the room was the only one to do something productive.
My version is definitely much more descriptive and accurate. Jono’s version is this:
He was getting hot, and started to lean forward a bit as he was taking off his sweater. Next thing he knows, he’s sitting on the floor, with a few strangers standing over top asking him if he’s alright.
This dramatic event still makes us laugh. Our family nearly fell over from laughing so hard. I’m glad he’s okay. Needless to say that I’m always making sure that he’s been eating and drinking water regularly.