He bit his lip. “Maybe you should stand up and move around. That’s what they recommended in the prenatal class.”
“I would if this silly drip wasn’t attached to me.”
Dan rang the buzzer, and a nurse swiftly appeared, and he explained the situation to her. She checked the baby’s heartbeat, checked Sarah, then agreed, and removed the IV and monitoring strap. “You’re pretty lucky to be starting so soon. Some women take hours until they feel anything.”
Sarah wasn’t feeling so lucky right now. She gingerly moved off the bed, Dan helping her stand. She felt so unwieldy, her stomach protruding over her feet.
* * *
Dan felt helpless.Ever since the first contraction over an hour ago, he’d watched his wife anxiously, noting the strain as she held her body rigid each time the pain tightened. She wasn’t saying much, and he was trying to help, but man, this wasn’t easy. Sarah would close her eyes, stand still then exhale slowly through gritted teeth. He’d seen her combat pain before, but that was nothing compared to this constant wracking of her body. Her hands gripped his in such intensity he knew another one was filling her.Oh God, please help her.
He knew women did this all the time, but he’d never known anyone, let alone loved them, so watching his beloved undergo such torture was torturous. She gasped, then her shoulders relaxed again. He took a moment to massage her shoulders gently. “You’re doing great, honey.”
She glanced up at him, wryness curving her mouth. “This is your fault you know.”
“I’m really glad.”
“Sadist.”
He chuckled, before leaning close to her ear. “No, lover.”
The smile lightened her face before another contraction hit, and she grabbed hold of the bed railing this time, her knuckles going white under the pressure.
“Try to relax, Sar.”
She moaned, eyes shut tight, before a final gasp indicated the end of the contraction. “Relax? You have got to be kidding me. This hurts so much.”
“Good thing redheads have got such a high pain threshold.”
The glare she sent him made him smile inwardly. He checked his watch. “I think we’re at five minutes now.”
He left Sarah wearily propped against the bed—just as well she’d had her rest before—found a midwife then returned.
The midwife did another examination, checked the monitor, then nodded. “It’s all looking good. I think it’s time we move you up to the delivery room.”
“Anything to get this over with,” Sarah muttered.
Amen.
A few minutes later they were in a light, bright airy room with attached ensuite. The nurse briefly explained some things before leaving them to it.
Another contraction.
“Oh, thathurt.”
“You want to have a shower, like the midwife suggested?”
Eyes filled with pain caught his, and she nodded. He moved to the ensuite, turning on the shower, helping her strip off her loose clothes.
“Don’t want my hair wet.”
He found a shower cap, wrapped her long hair up in a ponytail, then neatly secured the cap over her head. “I love you, Princess.” He gave her a quick kiss then she stepped into the shower.
“Ohhh…”
Her groan rattled him. The hot water was too hot for him but seemed to work for her, soothing the muscles that kept cramping. He sat down on the toilet seat lid, wondering what to do now. He’d never liked being helpless, but what more could he do?
After ten minutes of the shower she looked at him. “Dan, I really need to go to the toilet.”
