“I understand. We’ll have to hope this induction works; if it doesn’t in the next twenty-four hours, a C-section is the only possible outcome.” She studied him for a moment. “You do realize what’s at stake here?”
Dan must have looked blank as the doctor continued.
“She needs to deliver. Her kidneys and liver will be compromised unless your baby comes out in the next day or so.”
Oh Lord, please help.
Dan nodded stiffly. It was time to make some phone calls. His wife and child needed urgent prayer.
* * *
Sarah woke,the dark shadows not quite hiding the room fittings. Dan wasn’t here, but the steady beep of the blood pressure monitor was filling the room with assurance. The rest had helped, the overpowering tiredness from before had diminished somewhat. She vaguely remembered having some sort of cold gel inserted hours ago. She wasn’t sure what effect it was supposed to have. She didn’t feel any different right now.
Oh Lord…The worries from before loomed up again and she heard the beeps increase in frequency, so she tried to calm down, praying.
“Hey, Princess, you’re awake.”
Dan’s return was so welcome. He’d showered and changed, and brought a sack of things she hoped contained food. He gave her a kiss, before settling into the seat next to her. “How are you feeling? Any twinges?”
She shook her head. “The rest was good. I think it all got to me.”
“Well, you sure look better.” He retrieved a long slushy from the sack. “It’s mango.”
Oh. How thoughtful. She gratefully took a long draught, the cold seeping into her system.
Dan settled back, a smile on his face. His smile always had a way of smoothing the jagged parts of her heart. Maybe the doctor should tell Dan to smile at her ten times a day and that might help her blood pressure drop.
“I called your folks. They’re trying to reschedule their flights, and aim to be here by the end of the week.”
The tears welled up. “Thank you,” she managed to whisper.
“And Ange and John are on standby, in case you need anything. I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
He reached across, smoothing her hair. She gently caught his hand, holding it tight. “I’m so glad.”
Dan pulled out a couple of books. “Which of these do you want to read?”
They’d both been on her bedside table. “I don’t know. I’ll start one and see if I like it.”
“Okay.”
The next hour was passed in blissful quiet, the occasional slurps from the slushy the only sound. The book was okay…
Then she felt a slight pain across her middle. Wincing, she tried to sit up.
Dan looked up, his face a study of concern. She forced a smile. “I’m okay.”
Another fifteen minutes passed before she felt another twinge. “I think it’s starting to happen.”
The book was abandoned as the nurse popped in to make a quick examination. “Well, it’s good to see that the gel is working. And the fetal heart rate looks fine. But we’ve still got a long way to go yet. Try to rest as much as you can. You’ll need all the energy you can get later.”
Once she’d left, Dan looked at her, amused. “Encouraging lady, that one.”
Sarah tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace as her stomach tightened again. It felt like period pain. That was it, just think period pain. But she wasn’t able to hide the discomfort.
“Sar?”
She shook her head. “It just hurts a bit, that’s all.”
