Women in labor usually know what they want. For some, it’s an epidural. But for Johana Ortiz, it was something a bit more poignant: her husband.
The Wisconsin woman had endured her pregnancy alone while her husband, Spc. Melvin Ortiz, was stationed in Iraq. So when she went into labor last week in Milwaukee, just hours before her husband’s plane was scheduled to land and bring him home at long last, she decided she was done waiting and sacrificing.
Instead, Johana defied doctors orders and hopped in her car to make the three-hour drive to meet her beloved — and no doubt prayed the whole time that her in utero baby would stay put.
According to The Associated Press, Johana managed to make it Camp Douglas before the plane landed — along with her three children from a previous relationship — and waited in a chair while taking note of the time between contractions and practicing some deep breathing.
TMJ4 in Milwaukee interviewed Johana as she anxiously awaited her husband, and admitted she was nervous their baby would come before his plane touched down. “Hopefully he’ll make it!” she exclaimed.
And he did. Army personnel allowed Spc. Ortiz to be the very first one off the plane, and TMJ4′s camera captured him literally running onto the tarmac to greet his wife.
Together, they hopped into a waiting SUV and headed to a suburban Milwaukee hospital where their new son, Eduardo, entered the world a short time later.
Dad’s home safe, mama’s wish was granted and baby was born healthy. This expanded family has much to be grateful for this year.
Photo courtesy of planetka via stock.xchang