I was once a Dad (almost)
If anyone has ever thought a child should be born then perhaps it was this one.
Here comes perhaps a long story. But I'll try and make it as interesting as possible.

I never wanted kids. What a load of effort they are! They hold you back from doing things you want to do and why would I want to bring a child up in this hostile overpopulated world anyway?

I had started seeing this girl, I'd known her a while but she kinda dissapeared then came back onto the scene. We started seeing more and more of each other. We weren't together yet and hadnt actually done anything with each other. One day she confided in me that she was pregnant with her ex's baby. She was only 17 at the time and hadn't even told her own family. I told her it was entirely up to her as to what she wanted to do. The thing is, she was well into the pregnancy. Believe it or not nearly 5 months before she knew she was pregnant. Yes its rare, it does happen. She literally went to the doctors complaining of weight gain and irregular and extremely light periods! But yes she was pregnant.
I of course took a step back from this developing relationship as a result. At only 17 she wasnt wanting the child at all and didnt feel she could give a child what it would need. She was extremely worried about family support, and I guess what every young mother would worry about.

Anyway I don't want to drag too much on this part but basically she was too late for an abortion. One day too late actually so she had to have the baby.

I kept on seeing her, and it was obvious that her ex wanted nothing to do with it, and even denied the fact it was his accusing her of sleeping around. The usual teenage response for finding out that youre a daddy. Thing is I was a bit older (low 20s) so was somewhat more objectivly minded.

One day we had gone to town together with some of her friends when a heavilly pregnant Kelly (for thats what we will call her) suddenly fell rather ill. I took her home and she spewed up in my nice shiny new car on the way back. I wasnt too bothered though. I was mainly worried for her. They ended up phoning the hospital and was told to bring her in as she was just getting iller and iller as the evening progressed. She was starting to get contractions. I asked her if she wanted me to come with her. And she said yes. Normally Kelly was one of these girls to say "Its up to you I dont mind" but i really needed a firm answer here. I mean we werent exactly a full on couple at this point. But the fact she said yes was fine.

We went to the hospital with her mum, and they got her straight into the maternity ward. It was rather serious to say the least. They ended up calling out the chief consultant. There were problems, Kelly had got an infection and her temperature was sky high and the heart rate of the baby was also rather high. They wanted to get mum better first. I had the great job of holding the sensor thing onto her stomach to keep a constant measure of heart rate. They pumped her through of anti-biotics. And there were times when we had to all leave to doctors to it, and then were alowed back in. There was a lot they wasnt telling us, as we heard them talking and they werent sounding too happy thats for sure.
I had Kellys mum crying on me and saying thank goodness you are here. I wouldnt have coped if you werent. This was quite amusing considering just 24 hours before she was giving me the ole "Dont you dare hurt her" speach!

They induced her to give birth and I prepared myself to witness a live birth. But then they found some other problems, and rushed her up for an emergency cezarian. Obviously her mum went with her leaving me sat in a now empty ward waiting.

Half an hour later I heard the sound of a baby crying echoing through the corridor. By this point it was 3am and I was high on caffeine. A nurse said, he's here do you want to come and see him. So I did, and there was a very tiny alien thing laid all wrapped up in a cot. I cut the cord. Well obviously it was already cut but it needed cutting shorter. Mum was being stitched up in the operating theater. It was quite a feeling seeing this tiny red thing laid there squirming around. I remember saying to him "Welcome to Earth mate!"

They put the baby in the Special Care Unit as he wasnt well either. Another a hour later and a very dozed and completely knackered looking Kelly was wheeled down and they gave the baby back to her. It was all very nice and her mum was in tears of happiness after being so worried that the baby and even her could have been lost. It was touch and go for a moment there. Loads of photos taken (which are now very embarassing as Kelly really did look rough after going through all that lot!)

The next day Kelly and Baby were perfectly fine. I never found out the full details of this infection. I think it was a water infection or something, but apparantly it was a little touch and go at one point.

It makes you really realise what is important in life. Life I guess. I work in IT and people get all hyped up about a computer not working. Like its the end of the world. Yet these people there at the hospital were literallly dealing with a matter of life and death. Stuff that will change peoples lives forever. It really puts into perspective some peoples jobs. If you see people getting all stressed out because a tax report isn't ready on time. Think to those doctors and nurses working in hospitals all the time dealing with real life important things. Despite our story being a happy ending, sadly many are not. Those nurses and doctors were nothing short of remarkable. The professionalism was commendable. I felt I couldn't thank them enough. It wasn't just us they were dealing with that night, and before we had even left and there were more births coming in. Their actions changed our lives forever, yet I bet they dont even remember us now. They did so much for us, and it didnt cost anything. Yay for the NHS is what I say on that one. Very well done there.

As time went on, I began to realise that this baby wasnt gonig to be a burden. Infact it brought me and Kelly very close together, to the point we got a house together and I practically became babies daddy. I was there when he crawled for the first time, there when he walked for the first time. Even my own family were begining to see him as part of the family. I helped him mutter his first words. It was amazing seeing this thing that was laid on the hospital bed grow into a happy bouncing toddler.

I'd like to say we lived happily ever after. But sadly that didnt happen. 18 months later, Kelly cheated on me and I ended up moving to Spain. Thats another very very long story.
I'd love to have my own kids some day.
They give direction in life, a sense of achievement seeing them learning new things, seeing them happy. I feel I have a lot to teach and I'd love to teach my child and experience him developing his own skills and personality. They are a joy to have around.
(Miggyman, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 16:14, 5 replies)

Bloody Hell
*doffs cap*

You deserve better, there's not many would have done what you did.
(osok Rebel without a clue, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 16:22, closed)

Ahhh.....
If I had ovaries, they'd be pining for you right now.
*click*
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 16:22, closed)

*click*
A late entry, but best story of the day.
( Cawl, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 16:30, closed)

That's sad
*Click* for being one of the good guys.

BUT, would you have gone through all of that if you didn't fancy her?
(Big Smurf Brush me daddy-O, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 16:59, closed)

*clicks*
Not often you get guys like you, well done on being there.
(ladyflash Formally known as "oshi_", Wed 23 Apr 2008, 17:28, closed)