Title: Interesting Uses for Bathtubs - Pain Relief
Rating: 15
Disclaimer: Primeval and its character's belong to Impossible Pictures, no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This chapter is mega compared to the rest and for two reasons 1) I wanted to get it finished and 2) It kinda ran away from me, it felt wrong to drabble childbirth because its just so not that simple (not that I would know lol) By the way - more major fluff but I promise this is the last and I am going to go write some angst to wipe away the fluffy cobwebs hehe.
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It never ceased to amaze Abby how her husband could sleep through all the tossing and turning she had been doing for the last couple of months. Trying to get comfortable in bed whilst heavily pregnant was almost a lost cause, but she tried all the same.
The last few days had been particularly bad though; she'd been experiencing Braxton hicks - 'practice contractions' as her midwife had called them when Connor had rushed her to the hospital at 6am. What a waste of time they were! She was sure the real thing would be quite enough thank you very much, no practice contractions needed.
Abby sighed in frustration as a fresh wave of pain shot up her spine, this must be a big baby, because her back had been absolutely killing her. She gave in trying to sleep and pushed herself up, hauled herself off the bed and waddled to the bathroom.
A nice warm bath usually did the trick, calmed, soothed and relaxed her so that the discomfort didn't seem so bad. Putting the plug in and turning on the taps she went over to the toilet - another annoying thing about growing a human being inside you was the constant urge to pee.
Abby sat down and there was an instant gush of liquid followed by a very strange sensation down below. Having not had a baby before (even though she'd delivered one), she frowned and reached her hand down. What she found filled her with terror, that did not feel natural!
"CONNOR!" She screamed.
Strangely enough, Connor was at the door in less than a minute.
"The baby's coming!" She exclaimed, still sat on the toilet.
Connor's face filled with panic, just as it had two nights before.
"You sure?"
"I can feel the head!" She ground out as a contraction hit.
"Oh shit!"
That was the understatement of the century.
"I'll get the car." He said, trying to sound calm as he came in and turned off the bath taps.
"No, Connor, you don't understand." She breathed, trying to resist the strong urge to push. "It's too late, it's coming now . . .ooowww!"
The contractions were thick and fast, she must have been in labour for hours and just assumed it was those stupid Braxton hicks again.
"What do I do?" He asked.
"Get the phone!" Abby instructed.
He ran off, returning seconds later with phone in hand.
"Who do I call?"
"The bloody fire brigade Connor!" She spat sarcastically.
Connor winced as she took several deep breaths.
"The midwife . . . Call the midwife."
With shaky hands, he phoned the midwife, Abby screaming and panting all the while. Then he put the phone down and went back to the door.
"Where are you going?" Abby asked.
"I have to take the latch off the door so she can get in."
"Don't leave me!" She sounded desperate, frightened, so un-like her usual self.
"Be right back, promise."
And he rushed from the door.
"CONNOR!"
True to his word he was back moments later, baby blanket in hand which he placed on the radiator.
"How ya doing sweetheart?" He asked softly as he bent down to stroke her sweat soaked face.
"It hurts, it really hurts."
Connor looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Can you stand?"
"I . . . I don't know."
He put his arm around her, taking most of her weight and lifting her off the toilet he walked her to the bath and helped her to get in.
"It'll help." He explained and she nodded her reply, the warm water having an instant effect as she sat.
"Connor I'm scared." Abby admitted, grabbing his hand.
"Me too, but it's ok, everything's gonna be fine and soon we'll have our little baby."
All she could do was nod as another contraction hit and she gave in to the urge and pushed with all her might.
Connor looked up her nightdress to check on the 'situation'.
"It's coming." He said. "Push!"
"I am pushing!"
She was trying to pull herself up, but she kept slipping.
"Oh . . . . Jeeeesus . . . . This bloody hurts!"
When she looked at Connor he was making the oddest face while looking at her, by now, probably unrecognisable vagina.
"I think that's because the heads coming out." He replied, looking disgusted and awed all at the same time. "Do I need to catch it?"
"It's a baby, not a football!"
Abby was in no mood for his stupid questions right now, she wanted doctors and her midwife, she wanted pain relief!
"Holy crap it's out, it's out!" He stammered, face turning rather pale. "It's just hanging there."
"Give me a minute for crying out loud, I'm doing my best!" She cried.
"Wait!" He instructed, just as she was about to push again. "the neck's purple."
"Oh no! Connor, it's the cord, you have to get it off quick."
"It's ok Abbs, it's off." He said, reaching up to hold her hand.
At that moment the midwife burst in, put her kit on the floor and took over; much to Connor's relief. He held on to Abby's shoulders to stop her from slipping again and kissed her damp head.
"I love you so much Abby." He whispered.
"Oh God! Oh please just get it out Connor . . . Please!" She begged as she continued to push.
"Sssh, it's almost over now, you can do it."
Abby grabbed Connor's arm, squeezing it tightly, and pushed like never before. The burning pain was almost unbearable and she hoped she wasn't going to tear - she'd read such stories in her parenting books.
"Aaaaaaaaargh!" She screamed and then slumped back, grateful that Connor was there to hold on to her.
The midwife pulled the baby up, rubbing it vigorously with the blanket and it's wails of protest finally filled the room.
"Oh thank God!" Abby sighed.
Their still crying baby was placed on Abby's chest, which had by now been removed of the soggy nightdress covering it, while the midwife cut the cord.
"What did we get?" Asked Connor, wiping away his tears.
Abby checked and smiled up at him, her own tears flowing freely.
"It's a girl, a little girl."
He held her tighter and stroked his new daughters cheek with his finger.
"Hi beautiful." He cooed. "I'm your Daddy."
Abby choked on a sob, looking up again to meet his gaze and they shared a kiss.
"Have you thought of any names?" Asked the midwife who was still seeing to Abby.
"Yeah, we picked names out for a boy and a girl." Connor replied.
"Nicole Stephanie Temple." Abby added, smiling down at her baby.
Baby Nicole stopped crying and put her fist in her mouth, her eyes opening for the first time.
"Welcome to Earth." Connor said.
"Shut up Connor!"
"I think she's hungry." The midwife informed, smiling at them both.
Four hours later and Abby was tucked up in bed fast asleep with Nicole curled against her. The midwife had gone an hour ago after checking Abby and the baby over thoroughly and instructing Connor to observe them both for a few hours more. Nicole had just had another feed and Connor lifted her from her mothers arms.
"I think you need a nappy change little one." He whispered, walking out of the room.
Abby awoke with a start, instantly noticing her missing daughter. She got out of bed tentatively and hobbled to the door, seriously hoping that this discomfort wouldn't last too long. What she saw when she got to the living room warmed her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
Connor had just finished changing baby Nicole and picked her up oh so carefully. He began to rock her gently in his arms, singing softly. It was only when she realised that he was singing 'Startrekking' that her chuckle alerted him to her presence and he turned, smiling sheepishly.
Abby walked over, placing a kiss on her baby's head and then one on her husbands lips.
"We're a family now Con." She whispered.
"Yeah, yeah we are aren't we."
They kissed again until Nicole reminded them she was there with a gurgle.
"You need to go and get some rest babes." Connor said. "You've had a long night, I've got this covered."
She smirked, Abby had never imagined Connor being good with children, especially babies, but then he was a constant surprise not to mention a big kid himself most of the time.
"Bring her into the bedroom, that's what the crib is there for, then you can get some rest too."
"I have to keep an eye on you two a bit longer first, besides, I want to get to know my daughter for a bit."
"Ok, just . . . Don't go showing her how to play on the X-Box or anything." She called over her shoulder as she went back to bed.
"I won't, promise." He replied with a grin.
The end
