Georgina · East Gwillimbury · King  .
 
Bradford West Gwillimbury · Innisfil  .

I was in Ottawa last Thursday, and had just left the Headquarters of CSIS, Canada's spy agency, for which I am responsible. Darlene Stone, who helps me with events and communications turned to me and said "Check your Blackberry".

A brand new message had arrived from my wife, Cheryl.

"Likely have preeclampsia. May have to deliver this week! I'll let you know more when I know it."

Cheryl was pregnant, and expecting in 4 weeks, on August 12. She was at a regular visit to the Doctor.

Minutes later she sent word that she was being sent to the hospital for blood work, and they might have to induce. "Don't get on a plane", she advised. Way too early for something like that.

After several failed efforts by Cheryl and I to speak by cellphone, her friend Samantha, who was with her, finally connected. "Don't worry. Looks like they will probably just prescribe some medication and bedrest, and send her home.” She had called while Cheryl was off for tests.

Much relieved, I returned to a series of meetings on the usual business of a Public Safety Minister. Things like terrorism, intelligence gathering, Afghanistan, penitentiary capacity, and future legislative plans. I also discussed a trip out west the following week dealing with issues like policing and crime, youth crime prevention, emergency preparedness and Olympic Security.

After a few hours of good productive work, my cell phone rang. I jumped to answer. It was Samantha again. "It is highly likely they will induce labour tonight,"

Absorbing this change in circumstances, I drew the appropriate conclusion. "I'll get on a plane right away," I said.

Thanks to great efforts by my staff I made it on the 6pm flight to Toronto. As I arrived at Mount Sinai Hospital, Cheryl was already in the labour room.

They had already begun gently inducing labour. But it being a month early, Cheryl and baby were in no hurry.

After a couple of hours, they moved Cheryl back to a room - the health risk indicators (blood pressure, and others) seemed to be settling. The plan became to let this ride out for days, or longer, as there was no longer any urgency. Cheryl relaxed, and the room began to double as the Office of the Minister of Public Safety - as I returned to grinding through secure briefcases of work.

But 24 hours later, things changed abruptly. Indicators like blood pressure went back up. The doctors determined it was time to get more aggressive. We returned to the labour room, and they began to get things rolling in earnest.

Cheryl bravely declared that she would try to go as long as possible without pain medication. "Your choice", said the skeptical doctors. About 15 minutes later, Cheryl with demonstrating loudly and vigorously that perhaps the doctors were right. "How am I going to handle her being like this for the next 6 to 9 hours," I wondered silently to myself.

Just then there was a flurry of activity as personnel raced to the labour room. "She's fully dilated. There's the head" said the doctor. "Dad, grab this leg and hold it all the way back," he ordered, conscripting me into service - as I wondered how it was possible to go from relaxing to delivering in mere minutes. With my free hand I doused Cheryl's head with the one wet towel I barely had time to grab. At her "request", I simply poured more water on Cheryl's head.

Ten minutes later - if that - out he came.  John Aleksander, 5 pounds, ten ounces!

Cheryl was relieved. I was perplexed. I thought this was supposed to go on for hours. But in just 15 or so minutes of really "loud" labour, the results were there to see. A wonderful, and apparently healthy baby boy!

New responsibilities for the Minister. Thanks to the staff at Mount Sinai for helping deliver change for the better!

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