Cora

I am well past my due date and more than ready to get this show on the road.  Blaine went out with Dad for a game of golf, but calls almost constantly to check on me.  Our nanny, Millicent, is on baby watch when Blaine is not home.  I practically had to force him out the door this morning.  Several times today, I walked up and down the steps trying to bring on labor.  I even made sure Blaine bent me over this morning and gave me my daily allowance of sex to bring this on already. 

Amelia is staying with us, and Mom had just left, when I decided to do the steps again.  I have tried everything to get this delivery started.  Amelia and Millicent were folding the baby's laundry because my mother-in-law swears the clothes and blankets will irritate the baby's skin if they're not washed in Dreft detergent.  I got to the top of the steps and turned, when something warm trickled down my leg.  At first, I thought I wet myself, mostly because that has unfortunately happened in the last few weeks, but about a half-hour later, I felt my stomach tighten.  It wasn't that painful, but it did surprise me.  I ignored it at first, but about ten minutes later it happened again. 

"Amelia?" I called for her.

"Yes?"

"I think I'm in labor," I yelled back, and she was right next to me in an instant.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Well, I think my water broke a while ago, but it wasn't much, so I thought I peed, but now I'm having some pains," I said.

"How many have you had?" She asked.

"A few, but they're far apart," I said.

"Okay, let's give it a few minutes, and let me know when another one comes." She said.

I was sitting on the couch when another one hit.  She laid her hand on my stomach and smiled.  "I better call Blaine." She said.

She didn't reach him, so she called my dad, but had no luck.  She then called my mom and she arrived in an instant.  Each one I have becomes more intense.

"We should head to the hospital and meet them there." Mom said, and Amelia grabbed my bag.  Will is fine with the nanny, and we headed out the door.  When the next one hit, I had to stop and hold on to Amelia until it passed.  Mom is rubbing my back as I breathe through the pain.

"This baby is coming," I said when it eased up. Amelia finally reached my father, but I took the phone.

"Make him hurry, Dad!" I said, then hung up the phone.  Mom is timing my contractions and they are coming faster and faster.  By the time I reached the hospital, I was really in intense labor.  Those lying doctors said I would progress slowly with my first baby, but I am in a lot of pain. 

Mom pulled up in front of the hospital and Amelia tried to help me out if the car, but another one hit.  I held on to her for dear life as I tried to breathe through the pain.  Mom came out with a wheelchair and helped me in it before parking the car.  Amelia checked me in, because the contractions are coming closer together. 

"Where is he?" I asked when it eased up. 

"They're on their way." Mom assured me.  The nurse got me into a bed after I slowly got changed into a gown, but another one hit before she could attach the monitors. She checked me quickly. 

"You're progressing quickly." She said, then took off her gloves and resumed attaching things to me.  I got an IV, then gripped on the bed railings and screamed through the next contraction.

"Is the baby okay?" I asked when it eased and the nurse said he's doing great.  Mom and Amelia try to comfort me while we waited.  One would feed me ice chips, while the other rubbed my back.

"Blaine's going to miss it!" I screamed through my next one.  I'm trying to do this without an epidural, but I'm about to demand one.  I was already at eight centimeters, when Blaine came running into the room.

"I'm so sorry." He said after he rushed to my side and took my hand.

Another contraction hit and I squeezed his hand.  It eased and I looked at Blaine. I wanted to thank him for making it, but another one hit and I once again screamed.

I was checked again.  "It's showtime." The doctor said.  Our mothers stayed and people were rushing to put me in the right position to push, while others are setting things up.

"This is a quick delivery for a first-time mom." The doctor said as she put on a gown backward.

"Epidural!" I screamed.

"It's too late, you can do this, Cora." She said.

Blaine held one leg and Mom held the other as I gripped on to the bed railings and gave my first push.

"I'm pissed and want to scream at someone, but there's nobody to be mad at," I said before my next breath and push. 

The pain is too intense, not just the contractions, but the fire down below is real.  I wanted to give up, but my husband coached me through it. 

I pushed again and felt myself tearing, so the doctor stopped me and cut down below.  I screamed at the top of my lungs and, finally, the head was out.  I looked at Blaine and he looks as white as a ghost.  I couldn't ask if he is okay, because I'm literally working as hard as I can get this over. 

I pushed and pushed until a receiving blanket was placed on my stomach.  Everything started happening quickly and, finally, my baby was laying on me.  The nurses wiped him off and he started to cry as Blaine himself cried and kissed my head, telling me he loves me.  Our moms held on to each other and cried as they looked down at their new grandbaby. 

Blaine cut the cord and people congratulated him on his first baby.  He looks proud, yet emotional, when my baby was wrapped up and placed in my arms.