究極のリアル｜The Ultimate Real

ムスコが生まれた。２年前のムスメの時はコロナでオンラインの立会いだった。とはいえ既に経験済みなので流れはわかっている。明け方妻の陣痛が始まり、病院に向かう。２歳のムスメも立ち会うのでどのような反応をするかがちょっと心配。実際に分娩が始まるとオンラインとは全く別物だった。痛みに苦しむ妻、助産師さんの励まし、息遣い、徐々に激しくなる痛み。ボクの五感の許容範囲を超えそうだ。背中をさすり、一緒に呼吸したりすることくらいしかできない。臍の緒をつけた赤ちゃんの泣き声が聞こえた。さっきまで緊張感漂う部屋に安堵と喜びが訪れる。ボクは涙し、ムスメは拍手。しかも「ママがんばってね」と先を越される。バーチャルが進化しても人間はリアルな生き物。この感覚を意識的に持ち続けないといけない時代なのかもしれない。（絵と文：サカキテツ朗）

2023/05/09

My son was born. 2 years ago, when my daughter was born, I was online witnessing in Corona. However, I had already experienced it before, so I knew the process. At dawn, my wife started having contractions and we headed to the hospital. My 2-year-old daughter was also going to be there, so I was a little worried about how she would react. When the delivery actually started, it was completely different from what I had seen online. My wife in pain, the midwife's encouragement, her breathing, the pain gradually intensifying. The input was almost beyond the capacity of my five senses. All I could do was rub her back and breathe with her. I hear the baby with the umbilical cord attached crying. Relief and joy fill the room that had been tense until a few minutes ago. I cried and my daughter applauded. And then, "Good luck, Mommy," she said before I could. Even though the virtual world has evolved, we are still realistic creatures. Perhaps this is an age in which we must consciously hold on to this sense of reality. -Text and illustration by Ted Sakaki

#Foumdmemo

#出産