Wow! The little one tests the vocal cords, and is placed on my belly. I keep saying, “I thought you weren’t going to come anymore… Maaike asks, “Have you seen what it is?” and lifts the baby up. A YOUNG! Chris and I continue to look at that little mini human being in admiration. I say, “So you’ve been kicking me around all this time?” and “How glad I am to have you! He still simmers a bit, but soon calms down. Maaike asks what the little one’s name is. As for maiden name, we were all over it. The boy’s name was more challenging. I gently say, “We had thought of Harvey, but I’m still a little hesitant… Harvey is doing well. He is pretty pink and has his eyes open. He soon figures out that he would like some. He suckles on his little fist and makes such loud smacking sounds that Maaike asks, “Is that him?”, and we all laugh at it. Maaike shows the placenta. It looks impressive. The partus assistant tries to put it in a garbage bag. Suddenly we hear FLATS, and the placenta is on the floor. We look at each other uncomfortably. And then we have to laugh. It is such an overwhelming, fraught moment. And that placenta on the floor is so wonderfully sobering. Chris, a neat Englishman, asks if he can take a picture of it, which makes me laugh even harder! Chris dresses Harvey. In great concentration, with his tongue out of his mouth, he puts on the package that I, on Annette’s advice, have put in a resealable bag. When he’s finished, he asks: “Where are his socks? How crazy, I’m sure they were there… Soon it becomes apparent where it went wrong. Harvey has his socks on his hands, something still widely done in England to prevent scratching. I sit in the chair with Harvey, and we get rusks with mouse. I’m so hungry, I eat Chris’ too. Then at 4:18 a.m. I call my mother. You have become a grandmother! We left the hospital at 4:45 a.m. and the three of us arrived home at 5:00 a.m. When it comes to giving birth, there are a few things you can’t avoid. The bubble, the primal force, that once the little one is here, nothing else matters. I wish I could describe it more originally, but then I would ruin my experience. I was very much in my own “bubble. Chris was not allowed to talk to me. Not touching me. But most of all, don’t leave my side either! And despite the failure to push, I still felt like my body knew what to do. Instinct takes over. Nature is doing her thing. All the clichés are true. It is magical. Annette, thank you for your preparation during the pregnancy course. It is unfortunate that it had to be digital, but it has been absolutely indispensable. And Maaike, I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for this special experience!