Page 61 of The Ties That Bind
“Keep pushing until I tell you to stop,” Dr. Glas instructed her when the next contraction hit. “Puuussshhh!”
The two nurses pressed her legs toward her chest, giving Brie more leverage. She took advantage of it and was able to push even harder. Brie suddenly heard the baby’s heart rate drop and turned her head toward the monitor in concern.
Dr. Glas ordered her in a calm voice to stop pushing. “There’s no need to worry. The baby is far enough down that I should be able to work on the cord.”
Brie lay completely still while Dr. Glas worked to loosen the cord around their baby’s neck. Because of the epidural, she only felt the pressure of his hands inside her. Everyone in the room remained silent as the doctor concentrated on manipulating the cord.
Brie closed her eyes she listened to the baby’s heart rate continue to beat erratically. When it finally returned to normal, she heard a collective sigh of relief from Sir and Rytsar.
Dr. Glas looked up from between Brie’s legs and smiled. “I want you to be ready to push hard with the next contraction.”
Brie nodded. Putting everything she had into it, she screamed from sheer effort when she started pushing.
After several minutes, Dr. Glas advised her, “Give yourself a few deep breaths, lass, and we’ll start again.”
Brie nodded and lay back on the bed, panting heavily.
“You’re doing great,radost moya. Such power!”
She turned her head and smiled at him.
Sir swept away the strands of sweaty hair clinging to her face. “You are the essence of feminine power, téa.”
Strengthened by Sir’s praise, she nodded to the doctor to signal she was ready. Brie braced herself. As soon as he told her to push, she growled fiercely as she powered through it.
She was soon rewarded when she heard Rytsar cry out excitedly, “I see the head! I see the head!”
A cry of victory escaped Brie’s lips as the pressure increased and the baby’s head was forced out.
“Wait for the next contraction,” Dr. Glas ordered.
Brie lay back, grateful for the momentary rest.
“This is incredible,moy droog!” she heard Rytsar yell at Sir.
“It is,” he agreed as he smiled down at Brie.
Sir squeezed Brie’s hand firmly. “This is it, babygirl. Just one more push.”
She smiled up at him, feeling like a goddamn powerhouse!
Taking a deep breath, she braced herself again when the next contraction hit.
“We just need to get the shoulders out and you’re done.”
With a herculean effort she pushed again, gritting her teeth. Suddenly, the intense pressure disappeared as the baby’s shoulders slipped through.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Davis.” Dr. Glas held up their crying baby and grinned. “Your Russian friend is right. You are the mother to a fine son.” He laid the tiny infant on her chest and the baby immediately quieted.
Brie stared down at her son in awe. “Is he healthy, Dr. Glas?”
“He may be small, but as you can tell from his boisterous entrance, he appears to be quite healthy.”
“Our little boy…” Brie murmured, caressing his cheek.
Sir leaned down to kiss her. “Another miracle.”
She lifted her head to meet his kiss. “I love making babies with you.”
