Magical, mystical and miraculous was the birth this week of Jack, my third grandchild. Mom and Dad are more than miraculous in what they achieved, conceiving, nurturing and birthing this perfect new human being. They are brave and loving, adventurous and more noble than they have ever been, and these qualities will only strengthen in their life together as a family.
Jack has bright curious eyes, searching, straining to connect with voices of family and friends around him; hair dark and thick, with a little wave that can be fashioned into a Mohawk; long fingers and toes on large strong hands and feet; and skin soft as velvet, with a rosy, olive complexion reminding us that his origin is the legendary blend of Italian and Irish.
As I look down at my grandson in my arms pushing his fingers and toes out of his swaddled blanket, I experience an extraordinary moment. I know there will be thousands more extraordinary moments with him, having had the last seven years to experience moments like these with my other grandchildren. I know we (my family) are enormously fortunate. I cherish our Baby Jack beyond description.
We cannot forget, as well, how fortunate we have been to live in New York City with the best access to excellent health care for our mothers and our babies. We can’t forget how lucky we are to have good jobs and good health insurance to pay for these things. We can’t forget the good fortune in all that.
My political, feminist, humanist self reminds me that with fifty million uninsured Americans, some mothers and babies never get the prenatal care they need. We can’t forget that many hard working Americans are in the group of fifty million. Other families are just not as fortunate as my family has been. For those who may believe childbirth is easy, simple, ordinary and routine, I have news for you and it isn’t good. When we hear politicians yelling about decent, affordable, universal healthcare in this country we really should listen and effect change for the better because this will improve the health and lives of new parents and the newest generation of children.
I am remembering an editorial I read recently about the state of maternal care and childbirth here in the United States. The U.S. ranks only 39th in the care and safety of moms during pregnancy and birth. That means 38 other countries have a better track record of keeping our new mothers safe, alive and well -- countries like South Korea, Bosnia, Poland, and Albania. Spain, the UK and Italy. This trend is getting worse for us, not better, and hasn’t gotten better in the last generation.
Today I go back to New York City to visit with my one week old grandson Jack. I can’t wait to hold his perfect shiny miraculous self in my arms. Once again I’ll be stunned and grateful for this amazing gift of life. His parents share him with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, their sisters and friends, knowing he can only enhance all our lives from this day forward. Hopefully we can have a positive, loving influence on him as he grows. And hopefully the future will only get better for all new parents and babies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overheard in a maternity ward this week:
“Why do they call them ‘contractions’ instead of ‘searing pain that feels like you are being split in half?’”
“It’s a natural thing. In some countries, women give birth working in the fields, and just go back to working.”
“If men gave birth, every child born would be an only child.” (meaning, of course, they’d never do THAT again!)
No comments:
Post a Comment