On March 20, 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte faced a frightening moment unrelated to war. His wife, Empress Marie Louise, was struggling through a difficult childbirth. The baby was in an unusual position, and her doctor, Antoine Dubois, feared that the delivery could be dangerous. He warned Napoleon that he might not be able to save both mother and child. Napoleon had waited years for a legitimate son who could inherit his empire. But when asked whom to save if he had to choose, he said, save his wife. The doctor continued the difficult delivery, using forceps to help deliver the baby. At first, the newborn appeared lifeless. Then he began to show signs of life. Both mother and son survived. The baby became known as the King of Rome. Napoleon was reportedly so shaken by his wife’s suffering that he said he would rather never have another child than see her go through that pain again.