Disclaimer: I do not own the Ducks.
Trial of Love Rewrite: Chapter 37
Delivering a Baby
When Julie and I stepped outside we were horrified to find Melissa lying on the sidewalk, screaming, with her head resting on Steven's lap. "Oh my God." I was shaking. "Is she alright?" I asked, even though it was pretty obvious that she wasn't.
"She's in labor." Steven told me as Julie kneeled down and took her hand.
"I'll go see if Mrs. Robinson is still here." I told them and turned and ran back inside to the classroom. Mrs. Robinson was nowhere in sight and I wasn't sure how she had gotten out without us seeing her leave. I quickly headed back outside. "She's already left. I think she went out the back way or something."
"There's a back way?"
I shrugged. "I guess so."
"We already called an ambulance." Melissa stated through her strained breaths.
"However, I don't think they are going to make it in time." Steven told us, the worry evident in his voice.
"Why?" I asked. "How far dilated is she?"
"How the hell should I know? Do I look like a doctor?" Steven yelled at me.
"She's your girlfriend. Why don't you look and see?" I shot back.
"I can't look down there."
"And why not?" I asked astonished.
"Because, if I look down there and see the baby coming out, then I am going to pass out."
"Are you kidding me?" I asked.
"No. Why don't you do it?" Steven asked.
"Are you crazy? I am not going to look at your girlfriend."
"Will one of you to babies just do it?" Julie told us, looking annoyed.
"It's okay Scooter. If Steven is too Scared you can look." Melissa told me.
It was obvious that Steven wasn't going to look, so I went ahead and did it. "I don't know, maybe about nine centimeters. How far away did they say the paramedics were?"
"Forty-five minutes." Steven told us frantically.
"Alright, Julie, take my cell and dial 911. The operator should be able to talk us through the delivery." I told Julie, handing her my phone.
Julie dialed the number and waited for the station to pick up. "Hello, my friend is in labor. The ambulance is on the way, but they aren't going to make it in time." Julie told them slowly. "Okay, so you can walk me through this.? Great."
"Just repeat everything she says back to me." I instructed Julie. "What's the first thing I have to do?"
"The operator says do not freak out. Childbirth is designed to be noisy, messy and scary as a deterrent to the less committed. Your role is to be comforting and reassuring no matter how awful you feel."
"I can do that." I answered. "I am completely calm and in control of this situation."
"Unlike Steven." Melissa added.
"Melissa, are there any problems Scooter should be aware so I can tell emergency personnel?"
"No." Melissa answered and Julie repeated the word back to the operator.
"Scooter, you need to talk to Melissa. Tell her to breathe. If she feels like pushing, encourage her to pant instead. Wait until the contractions are strong and the baby is emerging (crowning). Have her push when contractions are strong and rest at other times."
"Alright did you hear what she said? Do not push yet, just breathe."
"Alright, spread out a shower curtain, clean towels or newspaper. Help Melissa sit at the edge of a bed or table with her hips hanging off and knees apart. If labor is too far along or it's too painful to climb on a bed or table, place a stack of newspapers or towels under her hips to raise them high enough to help deliver the baby's shoulders."
"Alright, just take my jacket." I told her as I took my coat off. "And scoot over to the edge here and we should be fine."
"Push on the next contraction." Julie instructed.
We didn't have to wait long for that contraction to come. "Push," I instructed as I held out my hands waiting for the baby.
"Cup the baby's head in your hands once it starts to come out and move it slightly downward as she pushes. If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the head or neck, gently work it free and clear the baby's mouth of any obstructions. Help the shoulders to ease out one at a time. Once both shoulders are clear, the baby should slip right out--so hang on!" I took Julie's advice and cupped the baby's head as it came out. Only a minute or so later, after several swear from Melissa, the baby was out and the first cries were heard.
"What is it?" Melissa asked, excited.
I smiled, as I looked up at her. "It's a boy."
"Steven we have a son." Melissa told him, and then kissed him gently on the lips.
"Wipe the baby's face with a towel and check that the nose and mouth is clear."
"It's clear."
"Wrap the baby in a clean towel or shirt and gently lay it on Melissa's abdomen or at her breast (depending on how long the cord is)." I did as she told me, wrapping the baby in Steven's jacket.
"Do not try to pull the placenta out. If it comes out on its own, wrap it in a newspaper or towel and keep it above the level of the baby's head until help arrives. Do not cut the cord."
"Alright." I answered. "Anything else?"
"Keep the mother and baby comfortable, warm and dry, and do nothing else if help is on the way." Julie instructed. "Alright. Thank you." Julie told the operator, before hanging up the phone.
"So, have you thought about what you want to name the baby?" I asked.
"No, but I was thinking Scott Tyler Oakes." Melissa replied and Steven nodded.
"I think it is perfect." Steven said.
If I didn't consider myself such a macho guy, I might have cried right then. "You don't have to name him after me."
"We want to. After all, you are the one who delivered him. I don't want to think about what would have happened, had it been left up to Steven."
"Hey." Steven protested and Julie and I smiled at them. The paramedics arrived a couple of minutes later. Melissa and the baby were taken to the hospital and Steven met them there. It was nice to see that everything had worked out for them.
Please take note of the review button. Please push it and leave an inspirational comment. Only ten more chapters left on this rewrite. Afterwards, I will combine this with the end of the story, making them into one whole 68 chapter story.