She Gave Birth to Twins for the Fifth Time in a Row—And Once Again, to Girls, While the Archbishop Blessed the Delivery Room

A long time ago, Elizabeth was admitted to the local maternity hospital well before her due date; her pregnancy had grown quite complicated in those final weeks, and the doctors werent willing to take any chancesespecially as she was preparing for not just one baby, but twins. The medical staff offered Elizabeth a planned caesarean, but she had set her heart on a natural birth. With great care, the doctors agreed to give it a trythey could always move quickly to surgery if needed.

Moreover, Elizabeth and her husband, Thomas, had arranged for a partnered birth experience, and the obstetricians were none too keen on unfamiliar faces in the operating theatre. Labour began late one evening; her husband was notified straightaway and, within twenty minutes, Thomas hurried through the doors, his coat flapping behind him. We led them both to the delivery suite. It wasn’t Elizabeths first time delivering, so she knew what was required, handled herself with composure and good senseand, as the church bell struck four in the morning, the first baby was born.

The newborn let out a sharp wail and the midwife warmly congratulated Elizabeth on the birth of her first daughter. Curiously, instead of the expected outpouring of joy, Thomas managed only a strained smile before quickly turning his attention back to his wife. Ten minutes later, their second daughter arrived. Elizabeth beamed, but Thomas, to everyone’s surprise, burst into tearsand not, it seemed, from joy or relief. Naturally, we were concerned, but with a kindly wave, Elizabeth reassured us:

“Dont mind him; hell be all right within the hour. Once again, these are twins and both girls. He had dearly hoped for at least one boy this time, but it was not to be, so hes disappointed. But he dotes on his daughters, so all will be well.” And truly, the following day, we glanced out beneath the windows of the maternity ward to see a cheerful gathering of lovely girlsdressed in ribbons and trailing behind their father, who was tying balloons and calling up to Elizabeth that they loved her. In that moment, we realised that everything was, indeed, just as it should be within their family. Yet, we couldnt help but feel a pang of sympathy for Thomas.