Page 123 of Fight for Me

“Yes.” Her hand in his had been a comfort. When she wasn’t in pain, panic and fear came knocking.

Blane stood by her head as the doctor did his business. Anne grimaced. Finally, he finished, peeling off his gloves and dropping them in the trash.

“Okay, so you’re dilated to a three. Which is great. Once you get to four, you can have the magic epidural.” He grinned. “That will help a lot. The only downside is that it could slow down labor, so we may have to help it along. And keep in mind that if we need to, we can always perform a C-Section.”

“I’d prefer a normal delivery.”

“Me, too, but sometimes things work out differently. We’ll do whatever is safest and best for you and the babies.” His kind smile was reassuring, and he patted her knee through the blanket. “Don’t worry. Don’t stress. I’ve delivered hundreds of babies. It’s all going to be just fine.”

Anne usually wouldn’t be reassured by such platitudes, but these did, for some reason. Her fear abated somewhat. She could do this. Millions of women had done it before her, most without the comforts and convenience of modern medicine.

The next few hours were spent just enduring the labor pains and waiting. Blane rubbed her back and walked with her up and down the hall. When her mom and dad arrived, she sent him to the cafeteria to get coffee and something to eat.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m so excited,” her mom enthused. “Our grandbabies are coming!”

Her dad blustered, pretending he wasn’t just as excited.

Another labor pain and her mom held her hand during it. When it was over, she saw that her dad’s face was pale and he wore a grimace.

“Darling, why don’t you keep Blane company while he has breakfast?” she suggested. “And bring me back a cup of tea, if you would.”

Her dad gratefully escaped. Her mom shook her head. “He can’t handle seeing you in pain,” she said, shaking her head. “He doesn’t understand that it’s just what women go through to bring another life into the world. There’s no getting around it.”

Anne was taken aback at her mother’s pragmatism, and she wasn’t wrong.

They chatted in between labor pains, talking about nothing much in particular. Anne had the feeling her mom was doing the best she could to get Anne’s mind off the labor, a nearly impossible feat, but she appreciated the effort.

Blane returned with her dad and all three of them sat in chairs and took turns soothing Anne when a pain came. They were at five minutes now. Anne tried not to moan, but she wasn’t always successful.

The doctor returned at ten a.m. for another exam. By this point, Anne was barely listening to the conversation around her. Blane was by her side, but she wouldn’t let him hold her hand. She didn’t want to be touched. Her whole body felt hypersensitive, and the breathing thing had stopped working long ago.

The doctor was still disgustingly cheerful. Anne glowered at him.

“Let’s see how far along we are,” he said.

Anne didn’t see how “we” figured into it. It was just “she” not “we.” She silently glared.

Her mom and dad left while Blane took his spot by her head as the doctor performed the exam. Anne prayed she was at a four. She wanted that epidural more than anything she’d ever wanted before in her entire life.

“Good news,” the doctor enthused. “You’re just at a four. I can send in the anesthesiologist.”

Anne’s eyes slid closed in relief.

“Labor is progressing nicely,” he continued, arranging the blanket to once again cover her legs. “It’s a bit slow, but that’s to be expected for your first time.”

The babies could take their own sweet time, as far as Anne was concerned, so long as she had her epidural.

“How long before the anesthesiologist comes?” she asked.

“I’m not sure where he is with his schedule, but I’ll notify him right away.”

“See that you do.” Blane’s voice was loaded with steel. Anne glanced up at him.

She knew he felt helpless, and she could understand. Even though this was a natural process, seeing someone you loved in pain was difficult no matter the circumstances.

The doctor left and Anne looked at Blane. “I don’t want anyone else in here right now,” she said. “Just you.”

He nodded and left the room to head her parents off at the pass.

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