Half an hour later the contractions kept coming, only four minutes apart.
Coburn arrived amidst a busy ER, finding Susan and Mark alone in exam four, where they'd been moved out of the way. "You're eight centimetres dilated so we've got some time – which is good because there's no room upstairs."
Susan just sighed and let her head fall back, desperate to get some sleep.
Mark stood and went to follow Coburn outside, "Look, there was protein in her urine and her blood pressure's up. What if it's pre-eclampsia?"
"I understand you're concerned, but your wife is in no danger and the baby monitor shows no need for concern. We'll move her upstairs as soon as possible."
Mark sighed, wishing he could do something – anything…
Machines alarmed and it took them a few moments to realise this critical patient was in the room they'd just exited.
Mark was at her side in a moment, helplessly watching her seize, while the Coburn called the attention of Jing-Mei, Haleh and Malik.
They were at Susan's side in a moment and Mark quickly got pushed out of the way as Carter ordered Magnesium and Hydralazine.
"We need to deliver." Coburn ignored Mark's desperate glare, both of them trying not to think of the Jody O'Brien.
"Down here?" Carter forgot to hide his concern like doctors are so well taught to do.
The seizure stopped and Coburn barked orders, "We'll try a natural delivery." Explaining for the family member present, forgetting he knew what was going on all too well.
"There isn't time." Mark spoke softly only because fear was crushing his throat.
"We still have time." Carter tried to reassure him.
Mark had gone pale, his better judgement struggling with his first instinct to gown up and do something.
He watched Susan's face as she came around and pushed past Carter to reassure himself as much as her.
"Is the baby okay?" she didn't know exactly what was going on but she could tell it wasn't good.
"Yeah, but you're going to have to deliver here."
"No." she shook her head adamantly, "We need to get upstairs."
"Actually, OB is coming to you." Coburn took charge, ordering drugs to induce labour, "We'll give you an epidural and then we're going to bring this baby into the world."
"Into the ER? Great." Susan rolled onto her side, with a little assistance.
The epidural seemed to take a lot longer on that side of the needle and when another contraction hit she had to crush both Mark's hands to keep from moving. He didn't have that same grinning-despite-pain look on his face anymore; his concern had overridden everything else.
"It'll be fine." She tried to reassure him. "It's eclampsia?"
He nodded, "But you're right – it'll be fine." He kissed her, almost desperately. She knew he was thinking of the O'Brien case and nothing she said would change that.
She rolled back onto her back and Coburn told her to push when she said to.
Mark didn't move, holding her hand like a lifeline and crouching over the bed as close as physically possible.
Coburn made the mistake of looking confused, "can I get an ultrasound here?"
"You want to puncture her membranes?" Carter asked, setting up the ultrasound.
Coburn didn't answer, watching the screen. "Placenta's abrupted, we need to deliver now!"
Hehe, cliffhanger, this should get me some reviews… evil laughter…