Chapter 35

Beth cringed as the contraction took over. Kyle sat next to her, holding her hand and stroking her forehead. He was trying to be helpful, but she was starting to want him to leave her alone. Beth tried to think back to the childbirth classes they had taken. She took deep breaths and focused on the ceiling tile above her.

“Almost done,” the nurse said, watching the monitor.

Beth felt her stomach muscles loosen up.

“Ahh.”

“Great job, honey. Is there anything I can do to help?” Kyle asked.

“Yeah, sit back and be quiet.”

“Kyle, why don’t you go get more ice water down the hall.”

Kyle nodded, and took the water pitcher with him. Beth watched the door close.

“Thanks. I love him dearly, but he’s being too helpful.”

The nurse laughed. “I’m going to step out for a few minutes too. Your contractions are about five minutes apart, so it will be a little bit yet. I’m sure the Doctor Anderson will be up before too long to see how you’re progressing. Are you still okay on pain, or should we order up an epidural or pain meds?”

“I’m okay for now, but don’t want to miss my window either.”

“Good to know. I’ll make sure the doctor is aware of that when she checks you.”

The nurse left, and Beth put her head down on the pillow. She couldn’t believe the baby was coming. Her pregnancy had gone without any issues. The baby was healthy, from what they doctor had been able to tell. Now, at thirty-nine weeks and four days, she had started getting contractions, and stayed home as long as she could before Kyle insisted they go to the hospital. She was happy he pushed her to get admitted. Beth knew she could be stubborn, and thought she could have waited.

Kyle came back into the room, and set the water down.

“Where did the nurse go?”

Beth closed her eyes. “She’s giving me a break. Doctor Anderson will be making her rounds in a little bit, and will check me then. It might be a while before this baby comes.”

Beth could hear Kyle fidgeting in the chair next to her bed. She opened one eye. He didn’t look comfortable.

“Why don’t you just relax on that couch thing by the window?”

Kyle looked at the chair. “It doesn’t look much better than this chair. And I want to be here if you need something.”

“If I need something, you’ll be the first to know. Ooh.” Beth touched her stomach. The muscles were getting tight again. Kyle counted through it and rubbed her back.

“Still hanging in there?”

“Yep, still here. They’re getting stronger too.” She looked at the monitor. The last bump was closer than the ones before it. “I hope the doctor comes in soon.”

“I can get someone if you don’t want to wait.”

Beth put her head back again, and closed her eyes. “Let’s see how the next one is before I send you on a mission.”

A few minutes later, another strong contraction hit Beth. She was just finishing when the doctor came in.

“Looks like things are picking up in here. Mind if I take a look?” Doctor Anderson asked Beth.

“Go right ahead. Seems like everyone else around here has seen it.”

Kyle tried to hide his chuckle, and looked away when Beth gave him a look.

“Okay, let’s see where you are at.” Beth felt the doctor examining her. “I’d say about a six. If the contractions keep up the way they are, we could have this baby before supper. Did you want the epidural now? This could be the last window, by the time they get up here and get it set.”

Kyle nodded at Beth. She looked back at the doctor. Her contrac­tions had been going for about five hours, and she was getting tired. “Yeah, put the order in.”

“Great. I’ll check you again after they get it placed.” Doctor Anderson left.

Beth wiggled herself into an upright position. Kyle looked alarmed.

“Don’t worry, I just have to pee. Can you get the IV stand for me?”

Kyle jumped up and helped her get to the bathroom. Beth was washing her hands when the next contraction came. They were getting much stronger. She knew that meant progress, and progress was a good thing. Beth wanted to meet this baby.

Kyle waited for the contraction to pass before getting Beth back into bed. She tried to rest as much as she could, but the pain kept getting worse.

“Where is my epidural?” she asked, getting mad.

“It’s coming. The doctor said it can take a little while before they get up here with everything.”

The nurse popped in. “How are you, Beth?”

“I’d be better if I had that epidural I asked for.”

The nurse read the computer. “Should only be a few more minutes. The anesthesiologist is with someone a few doors down, but you’re next on the list.” She keyed something into the computer and left.

True to her word, the door opened a short while later, and Beth got the epidural she requested. The medicine was hooked up, but she was still feeling the contractions.

“Ugh, it’s not helping yet.”

Kyle rubbed her arm. “It can take a while to fully set in, remem­ber from our classes?”

Beth put her head down on his shoulder. “I know, but I want it to help now.”

She could feel him sigh. “I know, dear, but just think about that little baby, and not the pain.”

Beth snorted. “Easy for you to say, your crotch doesn’t hurt.”

Kyle laughed. The door clicked. Doctor Anderson came back in.

“All set with the epidural?”

Beth nodded. “It’s not working yet.”

Doctor Anderson grabbed a fresh pair of gloves. “Give it a little time, Beth. I’m going to check you again. It looks like those contrac­tions are really picking up.”

Beth lay down on the bed and put her knees up while the doctor checked her. “I’d say you’re about a ten now. I’ll get the nurse back in here, and we can get ready to deliver this baby.”

“But I can still feel it,” Beth protested.

“Hey, if the baby’s on the way, we can’t stop it. You’ll forget the pain anyway.” Doctor Anderson left the room. Beth turned to Kyle, and started to cry.

“I’m not ready yet. Can’t this baby wait?”

Kyle rubbed her back. “You’ll be great. I love you so much, and we’re going to have a little baby to love now too.”

Beth gave him a hug, and another contraction took over. The pain was lessening some, but she could still very much feel her stomach tighten, and pain in her core.

Doctor Anderson came back with the nurse and two other people she hadn’t had in her room yet. She didn’t pay much attention to them as the doctor got into place, and everyone got set-up to welcome her baby.

Doctor Anderson was on the chair between Beth’s legs.

“Okay, Beth, here’s what we’re going to do. Kyle, I want you to hold this leg, Sue, you hold the other one. Beth, on the next contrac­tion, I want you to bear down and push that baby until I tell you to stop. You can do this, and we’re going to help you.”

Beth nodded. The doctor watched the screen, waiting for the next reading to show a contraction. Beth could feel her stomach start to tighten, and Doctor Anderson coached her through.

“That was great Beth, take a few seconds to relax, and we’ll do it again.”

Beth got through more contractions. An hour passed. She was getting tired, but the pain was gone. She could feel her stomach get snug when the contractions came.

“Baby’s head is right there, Beth. Let’s get it out on the next one,” Doctor Anderson coached her.

The contraction started. Beth gave the push all she had.

“Head’s out,” Doctor Anderson said. “Keep pushing, Beth, we can’t let up much now.”

Kyle looked like he was about to start jumping up and down. “Keep going, honey. Push, push, push! Getting the shoulders out. Beth you’re doing great.”

Beth pushed harder. Keep going, she thought to herself. She could feel more pressure.

“And it’s a baby boy! Great work, Beth, he’s out all the way now. Kyle, do you want to cut the cord?”

Beth laid her head back on her pillow. A baby boy! She heard his first cry, and let the tears flow down her cheek. Doctor Anderson came back into Beth’s view.

“Okay Beth, one more push and we’ll be done with the hard work, and you’ll get to hold the baby. Sue’s cleaning him up a little.”

Beth gave her another push and lay down again. She was exhausted but ready to see the baby. Kyle walked over to her, holding the little bundle that was their son.

“Is Mama ready to see her boy?” Kyle leaned in close, and handed Beth their son. She looked at the cute little face sticking out of the blanket. He was everything Beth had hoped he would be. Kyle gave her a kiss, and Beth realized he had also been crying.

“Thank you for giving me a son. I love you both more than you will ever know.”

Beth shook her head. “Oh, no, believe me, I know how much because I feel it too.”

She pulled the blanket back to take a better look at the baby. His color was good. She could pick out Kyle’s nose and ears. His eyes were closed, but she imagined they would be blue like hers. Beth found one of his hands wrapped in the blanket. He grasped her finger. Beth smiled, and looked at Kyle. His hair looked wild. She was sure hers wasn’t much better, and couldn’t wait to get in the tub once the epidural wore off.

Sue pulled off her gloves, done with whatever she was doing.

“Would you like your first family photo?”

Kyle got up for the camera. “Of course.”

He sat down on the bed next to Beth and put his hand on hers. He tipped his head so their foreheads were touching, and they looked at the camera. The doctor got up, and said she was done. Doctor Anderson ushered everyone out of the room to give Beth and Kyle a few minutes alone.

Kyle kissed Beth’s head. “So have you thought about the name?”

Beth had, but wasn’t sure what Kyle would think. “I’d like the middle name to be Joshua, if you’re okay with that.”

Kyle nodded. “Absolutely. That’s a great name.”

“Maybe you would like to pick out his first name,” she said, not taking her eyes off the baby.

“How about Charlie?”

“Charlie Joshua? I think that sounds like a fine name.” Beth replied.

“Perfect. Our little Charlie.”