Page 54 of The Ties That Bind
“Not at all, Mr. Davis. It’s a simple transfusion of saline solution using a catheter. If the heart rate stabilizes, we can talk about having an epidural.”
Dr. Glas winked at Brie, his calm demeanor helping to allay her fears.
The procedure itself was painless, and it didn’t take long before the baby’s heart rate returned to a steady, consistent beat.
“After the complications with the nuchal cord during your first delivery, I made provisions in case we faced the same scenario with this one,” he explained.
Tears of gratitude welled up in Brie’s eyes. “Thank you, Dr. Glas.”
His smile was genuine, but Brie could see the haunted look in the doctor’s eyes. She could tell he was determined to do whatever was necessary to ensure she and the baby made it through the delivery safely.
Brie suddenly grimaced as intense pain enveloped her. Now that the baby was less active, she was fully aware of her contractions.
“I can have the anesthesiologist come in and get started on the epidural for you,” Dr. Glas offered.
Brie nodded but, after he left, she confessed to Sir, “Even though I want the epidural, I’m terrified about the idea of having a needle up my spine.”
He looked at her with compassion. “You don’t have to have it, but remember the pain you endured during Hope’s birth.”
Brie shuddered, recalling how excruciating it was. “You’re right, Sir. I’d rather not have everyone on the floor hear me scream ‘I’m not a masochist’ this time.”
Sir chuckled warmly. “I actually thought it was charming.”
Brie blushed, loving his answer.
Sir pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Would you like me to call your parents?”
“Yes! I would love it if they could be here for the birth…” Brie’s voice trailed off, suddenly overcome with sadness. “Wait, Sir. Let’s call Rytsar first.”
Sir nodded, dialing his number instead. “Brother, we wanted you to be the first to know that Brie’s in labor.”
Sir put the phone on speaker and Brie heard Rytsar cry out, “So soon?”
“Her water broke this morning, so I rushed her to the hospital.”
“I wish you could be here with us,” Brie told Rytsar, her heart aching because he was so far away.
“I do too,radost moya, but know this Russian is beside you in spirit.”
She choked back her tears. “I know…”
“Is the babe okay?”
When she hesitated to answer, Rytsar demanded, “What’s wrong, Brother?”
Sir told him what had happened, assuring Rytsar the baby’s heartbeat was stable, and Brie was progressing well.
Rytsar was silent for a moment. Brie could only imagine how agonizing it must be for him to know there was nothing he could do. “Radost moya,I—”
Their call was interrupted by the anesthesiologist entering the room. “I was told you are ready for an epidural, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie glanced at Sir, her courage suddenly leaving her.
“I hate to do this to you, but I’ll need to call you back. Brie’s anesthesiologist just arrived,” Sir explained to Rytsar before hanging up.
He placed a reassuring hand on Brie’s shoulder before addressing the doctor. “My wife has concerns about the epidural.”
The anesthesiologist nodded and pulled up a stool. He sat down to explain the entire procedure in detail to her. “It’s completely natural to be concerned about the pain, but I will numb up the area before I insert the needle into your back. You will feel pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful.”
