The Big Bang Theory recap: 'The Neonatal Nomenclature' 

Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Scott Halberstadt, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Frank Pacheco

Just when I think Bernadette has been pregnant forever, the creators of

write an episode poking fun at Bernadette for being pregnant forever. She’s reached her due date and the baby is refusing to budge. Since this bundle isn’t currently joyful, Bernadette is ready to deliver as soon as possible.

Driving to the hospital and demanding that someone with a medical degree TAKE IT OUT is not an option. Given that they are playing a waiting game, Howard and Amy work on a grant proposal while everyone else babysits Bernadette. All provide creative suggestions for inducing labor. For all the pregnant ladies out there, get ready to take some notes.

Penny is the first to arrive. She finds a winded Bernadette on the stairs and doesn’t flinch when Bernadette suggests her Nebraska friend find a pair of rubber gloves to help speed things along. Although she totally would have obliged, Penny recommends they do yoga. Bernadette quips that “bendy poses got me into this mess,” which feels full circle to me. Bernadette becomes even more irritable when Penny showcases her very flat stomach while breathing deeply. She’s done. Next!

Raj insists he can induce labor by using an acupuncture pressure point on her ankles. Unfortunately he can’t find Bernadette’s ankles. Leonard receives a fierce glance from Bernie when he wonders out loud if she is mentally blocked because she’s not prepared to be a mother of two. She resorts to Sheldon’s invitation to play the complicated board game called Campaign for North Africa. Get ready for five to eight weeks of fun, people!

What Bernadette wasn’t expecting was Amy spilling the beans to Howard about naming the baby Michael. Howard doesn’t want his son named after Bernadette’s father, so a new game is introduced to the group. Move over Campaign for North Africa. It’s time to pick a name for Baby Wolowitz.

Harry, Al, Max, Ted, and Kevin are vetoed, due to Bernadette’s wild days in college. Christian sounds a little too uncircumcised. Sherman is the guy who takes his mom to prom, although Howard did do that in high school. Paul rises to the top of the list and then crashes when it occurs to Raj that the word “Paul” is the base of his own last name: Koothra-PAUL-i.

Suddenly, Bernadette feels a contraction and all cheer that she is about to get this show on the road. The gang stays to take care of Halley, and on the way to the airport, Bernadette and Howard make up. She apologizes for hijacking the baby name and they bask in the reality that they are about to be a family of four.

Back at the house, everyone continues tossing around names they would like for their own children. All are shocked to hear that Sheldon has a list (that he refuses to share), and Amy’s mouth drops when her fiancé announces that he wants fifteen children. Sheldon is quick to report that she doesn’t have to carry them all. They just need a suitable uterus to rent. All eyes lock on Penny. Hard pass.

The baby finally comes early in the morning. His name is Neil Michael. If it’s good enough for Armstrong and Diamond, it’s good enough for a Wolowitz. And with a head the size of a cantaloupe, Howard is happy to surrender to his wife’s demand that they call their son Michael.

Hey, if it’s good enough for Jackson, Keaton, and J. Fox, it’s good enough for me.

HOWARD: Halley was two weeks after her due date. This baby is a boy. They don’t take as long to get ready.

BERNADETTE: If you really want to help, put on a rubber glove, reach on up there and start pulling.

PENNY: I know you’re joking, but I grew up on a farm. I’ll do it.

SHELDON: Suez. Birth. It’s a big night for canals.

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