Monday brought a new first in Boston’s political annals when Michelle Wu delivered a healthy baby girl, Mira Wu Pewarski, the third child for the mayor and her husband, Conor Pewarski. It’s the first time a sitting mayor has given birth for reasons that are obvious to those of us who are alive and conscious of our surroundings in the year 2025.

For those who might stumble upon these ramblings at some far-flung future date: Yes, this a notable event in city history because, one, Michelle Wu is the first elected woman mayor in our history; and, two, she’s therefore the first to give birth while in office.

Mira’s birth is a wonderful event for her mom and dad and siblings— and for Bostonians at-large who are delighted by her safe arrival.

For her part, the mayor has been as engaged as ever throughout her pregnancy. In the hours before her visit to the maternity ward, she was actively working the phones to prepare for her departure and to advance a few “big-ticket” items on her busy agenda.

She has made it clear in interviews that she does not intend to take a formal leave but will curb her usual pace of public appearances and delegate some duties to subordinates. The state of the city address, typically staged this month, will be pushed until March.

“The team is ready to be able to represent me where needed out and about,” the mayor said during a radio appearance on WBUR last month. “I will see how it goes and how quickly I feel ready to be out and about as well.”

That’s a sensible posture, one forged in experience by a woman who has twice before navigated the demands of nascent motherhood and public life. Everyone — and this includes Michelle Wu herself — should give her the space and the grace she needs as this experience unfolds once again.

While I’ll never know the demands and anxieties that the mayor must be feeling, I can relate a bit to the familial challenges. As a recovering political husband and father of four, I watched and tried to support my wife, Linda Dorcena Forry, through three childbirths and transitions while she was serving in the Legislature, typically with a toddler in tow. We welcomed two of the babies in the month of July, the peak budget season on Beacon Hill.

That meant— for her— a certain urgency to return quickly to the State House to make sure that votes were taken and district priorities secured.

Above, State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry held her daughter Madeline Forry, 2, during a swearing-in ceremony in the Massachusetts House of Representative in 2012. Don West photo

In those days and hours and years— with a newborn and relatives close at hand— Linda would care for our daughters Madeline and Norah while alternating between budget meetings and floor votes — which at the time could be executed from her office with permission from the chair or speaker. When the frenzy of state budget season ended and August recess kicked in, Linda — and her close-knit coterie of family and friends and family—spent a more traditional leave at home until the legislative calendar— and re-election campaign events— kicked in again.

There is no real off-season for the person who runs the city of Boston, though. Events out of one’s control often dictate the rhythms of the job. Charting a course through the coming weeks— and further into a still murky election contest that may or may not pose a credible challenge— will be an experiment of sorts.

But, here in Boston, at least, there’s plenty of empathy for neighbors who might need a bit extra downtime. We fully expect the city at large will extend the Wu-Pewarski family that grace and goodwill.

Bill Forry is the co-publisher and executive editor of the Dorchester Reporter.