The Diabetic Dad and the Delayed Delivery

Jordan baby picMy wife and I were in the delivery room about to give birth to our first child. Now, before I get too far into this story, I need to explain that my wife, Heidi, is from New Jersey. If that fact means nothing to you, go to Netflix and watch a couple episodes of “Jersey Shore.” Or don’t and be thankful.

Anyway, Heidi was something like 27 centimeters dilated–I’m not really sure; I’m a guy–and the nurses were calling for the doctor. Unfortunately it was dinner time, and because I live with type-1 diabetes, I needed to eat. So I hurried down to the cafeteria to get some food. Fortunately, Heidi did a good job of clenching for 15 minutes till I returned.

By now my blood glucose had dropped really low, so I sat in a hospital lounge chair and began to eat. I wanted to be sure I had the energy I needed to remind Heidi how to breathe properly and anything else she ordered me to do.

Heidi, with all the compassion a Jersey girl after 32 hours of labor can possibly have, told the nurses that if I passed out from my insulin reaction to just shove me in a corner out of the way and take care of her. The nurses laughed but Heidi was very serious.

Just then the doctor walked into the room, just as I began eating my strawberry cheesecake. He quickly assessed the situation and said, “It’s time to have this baby!” He looked over at me eating dinner and inquired to no one in particular what was going on. When a nurse informed him that I had diabetes and needed to eat, he tapped his fingers on the side of the bed and said, “OK, so we’ll wait for dad to finish eating.”

Heidi did not agree with his prognosis. But you have to understand: she wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. I’ve never seen her so mad or heard her scream so loudly.

So I left the last few bites of cheesecake on the tray. Twenty minutes later we welcomed Jordan Michael Mack into the world. I got to cut the umbilical cord, which I did with a steady hand thanks to that cafeteria run.

The whole thing was incredible. Mom and baby were healthy and did well, and dad was able to finish those last two bites of cheesecake.

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MORE DIABETES-STORY HUMOR

How NOT to Teach an 11-Year-Old Boy to Give Himself a Shot

Camp Hamwi and THE Shot

The Year I Was Banned from the Olympic Games

Diabetics in Love

 

13 Comments

  • pavedsilverroads July 22, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Cheesecake FTW! Man, I love me some cheesecake! And congrats on the baby!

    Reply
  • lesleykimball July 22, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    Why do those low bgs come at the least opportune times? I love that you had the presence of mind to grab cheesecake 🙂 Congratulations!

    Reply
  • Michael C. Mack July 22, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Thanks for the congratulations. A little late (Jordan is now 22 years old!), but still cool. 🙂

    Reply
  • Dolores July 22, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    I am not from New Jersey … But I am puertorican … And I am certain I would have yelled as loud as your wife … And maybe even longer 🙂

    Reply
  • Kellyk2 July 22, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    This is such an awesome post!!!
    Also: #JerseyGirlsRock #fact
    Check!!

    Reply
  • RenzaS July 22, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    This is so lovely! What a gorgeous story to retell to your little one!

    Reply
    • Michael C. Mack July 22, 2014 at 9:34 pm

      Thanks. We now have 4 kids, now teens and young adults, and it sure is fun to get together and recount all the funny stories over the years.

      Reply
  • Christopher July 23, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Checking in a day late, but thanks for sharing this. #Check

    Reply
    • Michael C. Mack July 23, 2014 at 12:49 pm

      Thx, Christopher! Apprciate you checking out my blog!

      Reply
  • Kelley July 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Aww I love hearing a birth story from a d-dad’s point of view! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • Ilana July 24, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    That’s hilarious! Probably one of the most inopportune times for a low ever. #check

    Reply
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