Chapter Seven:

At 0230 hours the morning after Janeway wake up with a small cramp in her
abdomen. Not panicking she goes back to sleep only to be awoken fifteen minutes
later with a stronger cramp. Now she begins to worry the baby is seven weeks early.

"Chakotay, something's wrong I am having contractions."

"What do you mean having contraction you are seven weeks early you can't be having
contractions because I'm not ready."

"Well our daughter is."

"Let's get to Sickbay maybe he can stop the contractions."

"Okay."

A few minutes later Janeway and Chakotay reach Sickbay. The lights are out and the
Doctor is offline.

"Computer, lights."

The lights flicker on.

"Computer please activate Emergency Medical Hologram."

The Doctor pops on and greets the couple his usual greeting.

"Please state the medical emergency."

"Captain Janeway has gone into labor we were hoping you can stop the contractions
and the baby will come when it is full term."

"I will do my best."

Chakotay lifts Janeway into his arms and walks over to the neonatal/maternity ward
still in her night gown the Doctor instructs her to lay on her side to ease so of the
contractions.

"This should take effect almost immediately."

"It's not working Doctor they are coming quicker and stronger."

"Why is that Doctor she is two months early. What about her placenta previa does
she still have it? What about her blood pressure, you were worried about that?"

"Commander slow down, she still has placenta previa, and her blood pressure is high
because of that."

"Uh oh Doctor."

Janeway says as the Doctor is trying to calm down her husband.

"What do you mean uh oh."

Chakotay asks in a most panicked voice. The Doctor runs the tricorder over her
abdomen.

"Her water broke."

"Can I still labor?"

"Yes but I will keep you monitored every step of the way if there is any sign of distress
I can get that baby out in now time."

"But I can labor right?"

"Yes now just relax and breathe every time a contraction comes I want you to take a
deep cleansing breath and the take rapid breaths until the contraction ends. We
haven't had any Lamaze classes since you are two months early."

"Well I didn't do it on purpose she just is eager to enter the world I guess."

"Well she won't be here for several hours your are not having regular contraction so I
can give you something to sleep and it will in no way harm the baby."

"No thank you, I will be fine by Chakotay might need something to calm his nerves."

"Would you like some Valium?"

"No thanks I think I can handle it. It's just not every day we become parents."

"No it isn't but you both will make excellent parents. I know I can tell. Captain
Janeway takes care of 152 people on board this ship none of them are hers this one is
special she belongs to the both of you."

"That's why Chakotay is so nervous about me having natural childbirth because of
my previous history of surgery."

"I assure you, your wife and Captain Janeway are in capable hands."

"Please don't worry Chakotay I am fine and so is the baby. Besides I have the best
Doctor in the quadrant in my care."

"I am the only Doctor."

"Well, you are still the best."

A few hours later Janeway is dilated 6 centimeters and seventy-five percent effaced.
She is having more regular contraction but she is still far from having the baby. The
placenta has not moved so she still has to have a cesarean.

"Okay here comes a contraction Kathryn the Doctor will keep track of the how the
baby is and I will couch you through it okay?"

"Okay...ooo...here it comes."

"Okay just breathe come on breathe the baby needs to get oxygen from you."

"I'm trying it just hurts so much."

"Just a little longer Captain Janeway you are doing better than most soon-to-be-
mothers."

After twenty-seven hours of labor it is time for the birth. It was an exciting event.

TBC...