The wait is over!

It was a Thursday evening as I sat down to watch television. Not a great fan of television, but in the last couple of months, the left side of my bed and I became great friends and were frequently entertained by the television. This evening was pretty much like any other; I had something to eat for the umpteenth time, and settled into bed as comfortably as I could get with the weight of thirty-five extra pounds on my once svelte frame:yes, I was with child.

It was about six in the evening, and before long, I was prostrate and about to fall asleep beside my husband who moved his office to the bedroom in order to save his legs from the constant running up and down the stairs in an effort to fulfill my every request. I could hardly keep my eyes open as I drifted off to sleep.

It seemed like hours, but about ten o'clock, I felt a piercing pain in my belly...somewhat like a hunger pang. I waited. They say you should time the contractions. Ok..nothing yet..at least for the next twenty minutes. Then I felt it again. I nudged my snoring husband.

"Honey, I think something is happening." He jumped up,wanting to know exactly what I felt. I described the feeling as good as I could. He calmed down. The timing was off...and so was he, back to sleep.

Another few hours,two in the morning, another stab,and this time, there was no doubt about the timing...I got my five minutes reminder.

My husband got things ready, and we were off to the hospital.

We got there in good time, and I was breathing out loud, the frequency was increasing. It would be soon. I was admitted and then prepared for the delivery.

I was coached on how to breathe and when to push. I opted for epidural...never thought I would...but I was getting delirious...and breathing was not getting enough oxygen to my brain because of the distraction of the pain.

She will be here soon, I found myself thinking, and I would see her little face. I was so curious, as I am sure she was as well, in her own way. And so the journey continued. Breathe, push, rest. This continued for two hours before she decided to go up versus coming down. We had to do an emergency Cesarean. Some more painkillers and this made me numb from the waist down. Soon, she would be here.

As I waited, I drifted into unconsciousness,they had lost me for fourteen seconds;they had taken her out of me and somehow caused internal bleeding,and thanks to the quick thinking of one doctor,he jump started my heart and brought me back to see the birth of my little girl.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Wastyn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Birth?
We want to hear your view. Write now!