waiting

i'm sitting waiting to go into hospital. its early. angie's just sent me a text to say that its started.

but... i'm not allowed to go in for another few hours.

she's upset that i'm not with her and i'm pacing and gutted not to be with her. my role in this whole birth thing is to be more of a side kick, a trusty steed, rather than than the hero. yet i'm not even that right now.

i'm not the most patient of people so find myself praying for my unborn child and for angie, fidgeting and needless preparing of my quickest exit when i get the call. (i may or may not have done a dry run or two already).

we've had numerous touting of the word "artificial" thrown at us to help us understand what the processes will be over the coming hours. the "artificial rupturing of the membrane", the "artificial simulation of labour" and more. yet the giving birth, being a family, having someone to support and comfort you in troubling times couldn't be more natural. the only thing artificial that i'm experiencing is not being with my wife over these minutes.

looks like i just got the call. i'm going in.