Twins are Born

Georg slowly pulled away from the front of the house. The Merion Hospital was less than a ten minute drive away. He kept one eye on the street and the other on Maria.

She noticed. Maria patted his knee. "I'm fine, sweetheart. The children are going to be so surprised when they learn I'm not home."

"Yes, they are and we're almost at the hospital."

Georg followed the sign to the Emergency Room entrance. He loosened his grip on the steering wheel when he saw Doctor Bill waiting for them.

An attendant came to his side of the car and spoke as he got out. "I'll park your car and bring you the key."

And Doctor Bill had opened the other door for Maria. He had a suggestion for her.

"It will be easier for you to get out if you turn and put both feet on the ground. Then you can hold both of my hands and I will help you stand."

Maria did and as soon as she stood an employee pushed a wheelchair close to her; he locked the wheels so the chair wouldn't move. Doctor Bill cautiously let go of one hand so she could feel for the chair's armrest before sitting. As she sat Doctor Bill saw her grimace; he knew she was having a contraction.

He kept a calm voice as he spoke. "Georg, follow me to the Obstetrical Unit where the labor rooms are located. You can wait in the waiting room while the nurses attend to Maria. I'll keep you posted on Maria's progress."

One of the attendants took him there. Georg found two other men waiting there. They were both much younger. He calmly took a seat as he watched both of them pace in circles; although inside Georg felt like a tightly wound spring. He knew giving birth to twins was more dangerous than a single birth.

He soon saw a familiar face enter the waiting room. "I came as soon as I was called."

Georg stood to greet Father Joseph. "How's Maria doing?"

"She was very calm in the car. I'm waiting for Doctor Bill to return and tell me how long it might be before the babies are born."

"Do you think it's soon?"

"I don't know. But I think she's been in labor for a while; Maria's stoic. She probably wasn't bothered by her contractions.

"I can pray the prayer for their safe delivery here. God know who they are for. Saint Gerard was called by God to be the Patron Saint of expectant mothers. He wrote this prayer:

May God protect Maria and the babies in her womb. May they see the light of day. And be welcomed into the Church on their Baptismal Day. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And Georg said, "Amen."

A few minutes later Doctor Bill came to the waiting room. He had good news.

"Your wife is amazing; the births aren't immanent but I believe that within the hour they will be born."

"As I told Father, Maria is stoic. She may not have realized she was having regular contractions. I think Isabel may have convinced her it was time to call me."

"You're probably right."

As soon as Doctor Bill left, Georg heard from one of the other gentlemen waiting there.

"Sir, did he say births?"

"He did. My wife is having twins."

"How come you are so calm?"

"Gentlemen, I'm older than you think. My first wife died four years ago; she gave birth to seven children. And I was present for all but one of their births."

"You were allowed to be in the delivery room?"

"They were all born at home; in Europe most all babies are born at home."

"Ah, now I know why you seem familiar. I studied European History at the university. You're Captain von Trapp the famous submarine commander from the Great War."

"Yes, I am. Your government was most gracious to enable me, my family and several others to escape before Hitler took over Austria. Now I have no United States rank in their Navy but I'm working at the Navy Yard helping any way I can. The Anschluss was a sad day in my home.

"None of us dwelled on it. Easter was celebrated joyfully. My other children enjoyed the Easter egg hunt and the basket of candy they each received. And then their attention turned to waiting for the twins to be born."

The young man didn't have time to respond; his wife's doctor had come into the waiting room.

"Mister Stephenson, your wife had a baby girl. Come with me. You can see her being cleaned-up in the nursery window. And your wife will be in her room within the hour. One of the nurses will find you and take you there.

"And Mister Johnson, your wife is almost ready to deliver."

Georg didn't know it but Maria was getting close to delivering the twins. She was moved to the delivery room earlier than usual; Doctor Bill didn't want to be in a hurry to move her to the delivery table. It's never an easy task; carrying twins makes it more difficult.

There were extra nurses in the delivery room. One stayed at Maria's side and helped her follow Doctor Bill's instructions.

He also reminded her of what would happen next. "Maria, the first baby is in position to be delivered. Your contractions will become closer together and you will soon feel a lot of pressure as the baby moves into the birth canal.

"I will probably ask you to pant like a dog so the baby isn't born too rapidly."

In a very few minutes all of what he told Maria happened. The nurse beside her told her. "You're doing great. Now take a couple of slow deep breaths before the next contraction comes."

And with the next contractions Maria's urge to birth this baby was very great. The nurse repeated Doctor's Bill command.

"Open your mouth and pant." And Maria heard. "I see the baby's head. One more push this little one will be born."

The doctor was ready. His sterile gloves were on; within reach was a rubber syringe. He would deflate the bulb with one hand as soon as the baby's head was delivered.

The pointed end went in the baby's mouth to remove any fluid there. If it wasn't removed the baby could inhale the fluid into its lungs when it took its first breath and caused problems for the baby.

And now Maria gave that next push; she knew the head had been born. The urge to push had diminished. Doctor Bill used the bulb syringe; and proceeded to birth the remainder of the baby. The nurse coached her to give another push as Doctor Bill's hands were positioned to catch the baby as soon as its body was born.

All this happened in a matter of seconds. And Maria heard that initial cry of a just born baby and Doctor Bill announced. "It's a boy. Let me detached him from his umbilical cord and I will hold him up for you to see Maria."

Maria was overjoyed; she had tears of happiness. Doctor Bill handed the baby off to another nurse. He was placed in a warm incubator which was positioned so Maria could see him. But her work wasn't done. The second baby was on the move; its head was already in the birth canal.

After several minutes the birth procedure was repeated. Maria heard. "It's a girl."

"Praise be to God. Now all the children will be very happy."

Now she watched her daughter be placed in another bassinet. As Doctor Bill delivered the afterbirth he asked.

"Do you want me to tell Georg or do you want to?"

"You can; I want him to see them as soon as possible."

"In a moment I'll find him and bring him to the nursery window."

Maria was cared for by the nurses in the delivery room; she was then assisted to move to a stretcher. She was taken to another room where other nurses took care of her.

Doctor Bill changed his clothes before finding Georg. He and Father Joseph were the only ones in the waiting room. Georg stood the second he saw him.

"Your wife sent me to tell you that you are now the father to a son and a daughter; and their both fine and so is Maria. I must tell you. She didn't act like a first time mother. She seemed to know what to do before I told her."

"God has given her amazing gifts; she always acted like my children were her own. When can I see her?"

"In a few minutes, she wanted you to see the babies. I'll take you the viewing window. Father you can come too."

"I know where it is. I'm going to call the house first. I'm sure they're anxious to hear the news."

"Yes, thank you."

"Here we are Georg. Your babies are being cleaned; they don't like it. As soon as they are dry, they will be put in a warm incubator. It's only a precaution.

Because they are small they don't much fat to keep them warm. They will be weighed later; I think they both weigh around five pounds. Maria's nurse will find you soon and you can see her. I have a few phone calls to return."

"Doctor Bill, thank you for everything."

"My pleasure, Georg."

They shook hands before the doctor departed. Georg continued to stand there. He was amazed at these two perfect little babies. Father Joseph joined him. He sensed Georg's thoughts.

"I too am still amazed at the miracle of birth. Katia was amazed as well. Her first words were; So soon Father. Everyone is planning to walk here after all the children are home from school."

"They're going to be so surprised."

Georg's words fit everyone. Katia went directly to tell Stefan and Phillip. Her full smile caused Stefan to say.

"Don't tell us Maria already had the twins!"

"She did. And as soon as all the children are home we've been invited to see Maria and the babies."

"That gives us about an hour to get cleaned up."

"Yes, it's almost time for the elementary school to let out. I'm going to go stand on the corner and wait there."

And Georg and Father Joseph were soon joined by Max and Father Wasner. They had been directed there by Father Joseph's secretary. They were to have discussed new music for the children's choir to learn.

"I see a big smile, Georg. Do you have another son?"

"And a daughter, she's in the incubator on the right. They both were crying as the nurses wiped them off; they seem to both be asleep now."

"They're not bad size. How much do they weigh?"

"They haven't been weighed yet. Doctor Bill thinks they are both about five pounds. I'm waiting to be able to see Maria."

And back home, the elementary school had finished for the day. And Marta and Gretl were among the first to exit. They were busy talking with their friends, Sally and Rosemarie; they hadn't spotted Isabel yet. When they did they came running.

And immediately Gretl asked. "Where's Mommy?"

Marta didn't wait for an answer. "Did she have the twins?"

"Yes, girls she did. And as soon as your brothers and sisters come home, we can all go to the hospital and see them."

"Come with me so you can be ready to leave; Katia will wait for the others."

Thirty minutes later the junior high students arrived; they got ready too. And soon the bus came with Liesl and Friedrich on board. They knew immediately what had happened.

"Go put your things away and freshen up. We can all walk together to the hospital."

They walked a fast pace. Max was waiting for them.

"Your mom and the babies are all okay; follow me to the nursery viewing window."

Georg saw them coming. "You got your wish, children. You have a new brother and sister. They're both still in incubators; they need to be kept extra warm."

"Why don't they have clothes on, Daddy?"

"Gretl, everyone, nurses need to see them breathing and they listen to their heartbeat and lungs often. I was told they will probably be in regular bassinets in the morning."

"Do they have names? Liesl asked.

"They do. I was told you can see your mom for a few minutes; she'll tell you their names."

Maria received a kiss from each of them before she told them. "Your new brother was born first; your dad and I named him, John Robert. And we gave your sister the name Susan Marie; both are American names."

"Your mom waited for you to come here; she's tired. Even I will step out so she can nap before they bring her the babies to eat again."

The group left the maternity unit still awe of the new lives they had seen. Maria stayed in the hospital four days. Maria's milk had come in and the twins were nursing well. The only warning she was given was to be sure they were always kept warm.

The two priests baptized them that day. They were now full members of God's family.