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“I think I’ve sprung a leak.”
We both look down our bodies in the space between us but can’t see anything with my clothes in the way.
Nathan gives my arms a gentle shake. “You go to the bathroom, and I’ll call the doctor.”
As I waddle away and Nathan rushes to his cell he left in the kitchen, I rub my belly and thank the little dude for the opportunity to table the conversation until I have time to think. Even if that means we’re about to have a baby we don’t seem all that prepared to have.
27
Kiersten
There’s nothing comparable to the relief I felt when I got to the bathroom and saw clear liquid instead of blood like the last time. It lasted a millisecond before I commenced a freak-out that I did indeed spring a leak. The doctor instructed Nathan to take me straight to the hospital, and after transferring my already packed bag from my car to his truck, off we went.
I expected my arrival to be more chaotic, and again, I ended up surprised at the calm demeanor of everyone around me. The doctor first performed some test to determine if it was amniotic fluid, and after a strong indication, I traded my clothes for a gown and got my own birth suite.
“How’re you doing, Kiersten?” Dr. Fischer returns and asks with a smile. “Ready to have a baby today?”
“This is for real? You can’t like, stick a cork up there and let me go about my life for another, I don’t know, four weeks?” Nervous energy races beneath my skin. This wasn’t on the docket for today.
She chuckles and snaps on some gloves. The sound fills me with unease. “Unfortunately not. Once your membrane has ruptured, you have about twenty-four hours before we start to worry about an infection. Your waters are leaking, so I’m going to break the bag and get things going.”
Nathan supports my back and helps me adjust my feet in the stirrups. “Isn’t it too soon?” he asks, a nervous thread in his tone.
“Thirty-six weeks is considered a little early, but more than likely, everything will be just fine.”
“Can I get an epidural? That’s a thing, right? I didn’t miss my chance?”
Dr. Fischer smiles again and pulls out some crochet hook-looking device. “Of course you can. We’ll get the anesthesiologist down here as soon as this is done. Now, you’re going to feel a big, warm gush.”
The oddest sensation as though I had a massive pee happens, soaking the bed pad below me. “Ugh, gross,” I mumble.
“Childbirth is a messy process. Don’t worry about it, though. It’s all natural.”
“Great.” Sarcasm threads my tone, and I drop my head back to stare at the ceiling. I don’t think I’m ready for this.
Three hours on the dot from our arrival, nurses swarm my room and kick Cami and Law to the waiting room. One breaks down my bed, which resembles a Transformer more than a piece of furniture. Another adjusts my numb legs into stirrups, displaying my naked cooter for the entire room to see. Nathan swipes a damp cloth across my forehead and drops a swift kiss in the center.
“I can’t believe it’s time. You’re going to do great.” His praise warms me, though he looks a bit pale.
“Do you need a chair? You look nauseous.” I soften the tease with a smile and grip his hand tight.
“I’m good. Or I will be when this is all over, and you and our baby are safe.”
“We’re going to be parents.” My smile stretches, and I bite my lip.
Dr. Fischer arrives again, gowning up head to toe, and wheels a stool between my spread legs. A light overhead clicks on, and a nurse directs the beam straight between my thighs. Why didn’t I request another doctor?
“All right, Kiersten. Let’s have this baby. You’re fully dilated, and your contractions are coming fast and strong.”
“Thank god for modern medicine.”
“Did you read the baby book?” she asks and pokes around my vaginal canal. I’m grateful she distracts me from the tugging sensation I feel. She could be practicing American Sign Language down there, and I wouldn’t know the difference. “I’m just doing some perineal massage to get you ready.”
Gag. “Goody. And no, I, uh, didn’t get around to it.”
“Oh. Winging it then?” Her tone clearly states she thinks I’m an idiot.
“Women have been having babies instinctually for ages. I figure he’ll find his way out eventually.”
