Just as my wife’s water broke, I got a call from my mother’s nurse, and she told me my mom was dying. I was torn and forced to make a difficult decision.
The day Debra found out she was pregnant was one of those days that I will cherish for the rest of my life. We had cried together, unable to believe that we were going to have a baby home soon, and I promised Debra I’d be an amazing dad.
Debra and I had waited to become parents for a long time. We were one of those miracle couples who conceived after going through tons of failed fertility treatments and doctors telling us there was no chance.
“We’ll be the best parents to him, darling,” I told Debra one night. “I can’t wait to hold our baby in my arms.”
“I know, honey,” she’d said, smiling. I gently kissed her baby bump and promised Debra I’d always be by her side.
Debra had always been very anxious about the pregnancy due to the complications, and I had told her I would be there for her, so there was no need to worry.
Little did I know fate would plunge me into a situation where I’d have to choose between her and my mom while was in labor…
I still get chills when I recall that day. It started as a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, and nothing seemed wrong with the outside world. I was preparing breakfast in the kitchen because Debra wasn’t feeling well that morning.
I quickly assembled a breakfast plate for her, and I went to call her for breakfast. As I entered our bedroom, I saw she was leaning against the wall with one hand, clutching her baby bump and breathing heavily.
“Honey, are you okay?” I dashed to her, worried. “Should I call the doctor?”
“Gordon…my water…it…it broke,” she whispered heavily, and that’s when I noticed the floor beneath her. It was wet. “Take me to the hospital, Gordon…Please!” she cried.
“Jesus!” I panicked. “I’ll get the car started. Just hang on a sec, honey.”
I ran to our car, grabbing the keys from the bowl on the living room shelf. I opened the car door, then rushed back inside to help Debra.
“Don’t worry, honey. We’ll reach the hospital in no time. Okay, we’ve got this.” I was comforting her as her labor pains began. I was terrified and nervous. I was praying everything would be fine.
After we made it to the car and Debra got inside, I locked her door and rushed to take my seat. Then my phone rang. It was my mom’s nurse, Marla, calling me. My mother had been diagnosed with a progressive cardiac condition, and due to her illness, she was confined to bed rest.
Worried, I answered the phone, and Marla’s voice on the other end of the line broke me from inside.
“Gordon,” she said in a weak voice. “Your mom… She had a heart attack, so I took her to the hospital. The doctors say there is little hope she’ll make it… Your mother is dying. I think you should be here as soon as you can.”
“Jesus, Jesus!” I exhaled a sigh. Why was everything happening at the same time? I was ripped to shreds and didn’t know what to do. On the one hand, there was Debra, who was in labor, and on the other, there was my mother.
I went inside the car, tears in my eyes, and told Debra everything. I couldn’t hide it from her, anyway. She saw my face and asked me what was wrong. And I blurted everything out.
“Mom is dying, honey. She had a heart attack, and Marla’s asking me to be there as soon as possible. I am so nervous. I – I don’t know what to do….”
“Honey,” Debra said. “Call a taxi. I’ll go by myself…”
“What?” I was taken aback. “No, we can’t do that!”. She was drenched in sweat and moaning in pain. “Look at you. It’s just not….”
“We don’t have time, honey…Ahh…call the taxi now, Gordon. Your mom needs you. You are a son first, then a husband. I will manage. Your mom…she…” Her pain was becoming worse.
“I’m calling the taxi. Oh, God!”
Thankfully, I got a taxi soon, and I instructed the driver to take Debra to the hospital safely. My hands shook as I drove to my mother’s hospital, and my tears wouldn’t stop. My heart was racing, wondering about Debra’s condition and if our baby would be alright.
Science Shows That Women Sleep Better Next To Dogs Than Men
Undoubtedly, the importance of a good night’s sleep for overall health is widely acknowledged. With numerous studies exploring the optimal ways to achieve quality rest, recent research proposes a surprising solution, sharing the bed with dogs. Canisius College in New York State spearheaded this unconventional investigation, revealing that women experience better sleep next to their canine companions compared to human or feline counterparts.
Lead researcher Christy Hoffman, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist, conducted a survey involving nearly a thousand women across the United States to draw these intriguing conclusions. The results unveiled that 55% of participants shared their beds with at least one dog, 31% with a cat, and 57% with a human partner.
Hoffman delved into the reasons behind dogs emerging as superior sleep partners. The study highlighted that dogs’ sleep patterns align more closely with humans than those of cats. Hoffman theorizes that this synchronization may contribute to improved sleep quality, as dogs are adept at accommodating their owners’ sleep schedules, potentially mitigating disruptions caused by differing bedtime routines.
Furthermore, the structured routines imposed by dogs, such as morning walks, assist in regulating their owners’ daily schedules, thereby enhancing overall sleep quality. Another contributing factor is the physical stillness of dogs during sleep, unlike fidgety feline companions. Women in the study reported that dogs tended to remain on the bed throughout the night, fostering a sense of security and stability.
The study’s third crucial finding emphasizes the unique sense of security that dogs provide. Unlike cats or even human partners, dogs offer a heightened level of psychological comfort. Hoffman suggests that the perception of dogs as vigilant protectors, capable of alerting their owners to potential intruders, plays a role in enhancing the sense of security.
Despite these intriguing findings, the study acknowledges the subjectivity of sleep preferences. Factors such as a dog’s snoring or generating excess warmth could pose challenges. Additionally, there are individuals who find solace in the companionship of cats during bedtime.
It’s essential to note that the study relies on participants’ subjective perceptions of their pets’ impact on sleep quality and duration. Consequently, further research is necessary to definitively crown dogs as superior sleeping partners. Hoffman emphasizes the need for continued exploration into the various contexts under which pets positively or negatively influence sleep quality.
As American households increasingly welcome pets, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial. Future research may utilize technologies like Fitbit-like devices to objectively track sleep quality in diverse sleeping conditions, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between humans and their animal companions during bedtime.
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