Chapter 8
Mary had now been in labor for almost 12 hours now and nothing seemed to be progressing. She was still dilated 4 centimeters. It was getting to be around midnight and she was exhausted.
"How are you doing?" Ben asked Mary, as he ran his fingers softly along her hand.
"Ben, it's been twelve hours, when is this all going to be over?" Mary said and then asked.
"Mary, try and get some sleep okay?" Ben told his wife.
Just then, Mary felt a contraction hit her.
"Ben, OWWWWW, my back," Mary groaned, as she tried to find a comfortable position on the bed. Nothing was helping ease the pain.
"Do you want to stand?" Ben asked; anything to make Mary more comfortable.
"Yeah," Mary responded, as she tried to breathe through the pain.
With that, Ben helped her get off the bed and helped her stand. Once off the bed, Mary leaned on the side of the bed as Ben rubbed her back.
"OWWWWWW," Mary screamed, still breathing through the pain.
"Breathe, honey, Breathe," Ben told Mary. Finally, the contraction ended.
Just than, there was a knock on Mary's hospital room door. Matt entered Mary's room.
"Mary, I need to check you again," Matt told her." With that, Matt checked Mary.
"You are dilated 5 centimeters," Matt told his sister.
Matt then made his way over to the fetal monitor to check on the patterns of the contractions.
"Your contractions seem to be intensifying, which is a good thing," Matt told her.
Ben looked down towards his wife, glad that things seemed to be picking up a little. Ben hated to see Mary in so much pain.
"I would suggest that you walk for a little while," Matt told his sister.
"I will be back in about an hour and a half to check you again," Matt said, before leaving the room.
Soon after Matt left, Mary decided that she wanted to give walking a chance.
"Ben, I think that I want to walk for a little bit," Mary told him.
"Sure, honey," Ben said as he helped Mary out of the bed.
"I love you," Ben told Mary sweetly.
With that, they made their way out into the hall. Mary walked slowly down the hall as Ben followed closely next to her. Suddenly, Mary stopped and started to lean against the wall. Ben knew that she was having another contraction.
"Do you want to stop?" Ben asked Mary, after the contraction had ended.
"No, I am fine," Mary told him.
"Are you sure?" Ben asked.
"Yeah, I am sure," Mary told him, as she gave him a smile.
They walked for a little while longer, before Mary had another contraction. She sat down on a bench that was closest. Suddenly she felt a gush of water.
"Ben, my water just broke," Mary said through the pain.
After the contraction had ended, Ben asked her once again if she wanted to continue walking and she said that she did. They continued to walk until Mary experienced her next contraction. This contraction was REALLY strong and the pain hit really hard. She decided that it was best of she returned to her room; she was in too much pain. Ben helped her back into bed.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked Mary.
"Can you get me some more ice chips?" Mary asked Ben.
"Sure," Ben said, as he kissed his wife on the forehead before leaving to go get some ice chips. After he found them he returned to Mary's room.
"Anything exciting happen while I was gone?" Ben asked jokingly.
"No, I didn't have another contraction…if that's what you mean," Mary said, laughing.
Suddenly, the laughter was replaced with a look of pain. Without even thinking, Ben helped Mary off the bed, as she tried to breathe through the pain of the contraction.
"Breathe, honey, breathe, Ben told his wife, as he gently rubbed the lower part of Mary's back, trying desperately to relieve some of the pressure she was feeling. Finally, the contraction ended. Just then, Matt came into Mary's room.
"Hey, how are you?" Matt asked his sister, as he went over to check the fetal monitor.
"Okay. My water just broke a little while ago," Mary told Matt.
"Okay, let me check you," Matt said. With that, Matt checked Mary.
"Mary you are dilated 6 centimeters."
"Okay," Mary simply responded.
"Your water didn't rupture all of the way so I am going to rupture the rest and that should make your labor progress," Matt explained. With that, Matt ruptured Mary's bag of water.
"The fluid is clear, which is good," Matt explained.
"Okay, I am done here and I will be back to check you in about two hours. Do you want any medicine to ease the pain?" Matt explained and then asked.
"No," Mary told him.
"Are you sure honey?" Ben asked his wife.
"Yes, I am sure," Mary told him.
"Okay, then. I will be back in about two hours to check you again.
Two hours passed and Mary was feeling a lot of pressure by now. She felt like she needed to push but she wanted to wait for Matt to return.
"Do you want me to get Matt?" Ben asked Mary.
"No, I' am okay. I'll just wait." Mary told him.
About 30 minutes later, Matt came to check Mary.
"Mary you are dilated 8 centimeters, so you are making good progress," Matt told her.
"Matt, I feel like I need to push," Mary told her brother.
"Okay, then what I want you to do is stand up against the side of the bed and rock back and forth with each contraction. Then, I want you to grunt and push a little with each contraction," Matt explained.
"Okay," Mary said.
"And then, when you feel extreme pressure and like you really, really need to push, page me," Matt explained.
"This is a natural process and you need to let your body tell you what you need to do and when," Matt continued. With that, Matt left the room.
With the next contraction, Mary did what Matt told her too.
"OWWWWWWWW," Mary said as she breathed through the pain of the contraction and pushed.
This continued for about two hours. By this time, Mary was feeling extreme pressure in her lower back and she knew that she urgently needed to push.
"I need to push. Page Matt," Mary told Ben, as she breathed through another strong contraction.
With that, Ben pushed the page button.
"How may I help you?" a voice came over the pager.
"May you please send Dr. Camden to room 234?" Ben asked.
Within minutes, Matt appeared in Mary's room.
"Matt I need to push."
"Okay, let me check you," Matt told her.
"You are fully dilated and 100 percent effaced, which means you are ready to deliver," Matt told his sister.
Finally, Mary thought to herself, she had wanted to push for hours now.
"However, the babies are still really high, so you might need to do more pushing then you and I had anticipated," Matt continued.
"Oh man," Mary sighed; she was already in a lot of pain and couldn't handle much more.
"Mary, we are going to start prepping you for delivery," Matt informed his sister.
With that, they started prepping Mary for delivery, as they got stirrups to use to prop Mary's legs up to spread them apart. They also got an oxygen mask and placed it over her mouth to help her breathe easier during labor. In addition, they put pillows behind Mary's back to make her more comfortable.
"Okay Mary, on the next contraction, I want you breathe in and then push," Matt told Mary.
Just then, the next contraction came and Mary took a deep breath and pushed with all her energy.
"AAAHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed.
"Come on, Mary push," Matt told his sister.
"Come on, push. Push," Matt told Mary.
"AHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed once more, as she attempted to push harder.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told her a few minutes later.
With that, Mary rested her head on the back of the bed.
"Okay, Mary. Deep breath and push," Matt told her a few seconds later.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Mary screamed, as she started to push.
"Come on Mary. You're doing great. Keep going," Matt said.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH" Mary screamed, as she continued to push.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told his sister finally.
Mary rested her head against the back of the bed, while Ben gave her more ice chips and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Okay, push," Matt told Mary a few minutes later.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she sat up and proceeded to push.
"Push, Mary. Push," Matt told his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed once again, as she started to push with more energy.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told her a few minutes later.
With that, Mary breathlessly laid back on the bed.
"Okay Mary, the baby's crowning. I need you to push again," Matt told Mary a few minutes later.
"AHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed.
"Come on Mary, keep going," Matt told her.
"AHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed again.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told Mary.
"I can see the head. I need you to push again," Matt told his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed.
"Push Mary, push," Matt instructed his sister once more.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed again. "8...9…10…Stop," Matt told Mary, as she clasped against the back of the bed.
"It's a girl!" Matt told his sister excitedly, as a load scream was heard around the room.
Next, a plastic sheet was placed across Mary's chest and Matt lifted the baby onto it to show Mary.
"She's beautiful," Mary exclaimed with tears in her eyes at the sight of her new and eldest daughter.
"Yeah, she is," Ben agreed as he kissed Mary and the baby on the top of the forehead.
"Dad, would you like to cut the cord?" Matt asked Ben.
"Sure," Ben replied, taking in the meaning of his new name.
Matt gave Ben a pair of scissors to use and told him where to make the cut. Ben did as he was told and then they took the baby over and weighted her. She was a little tiny, weighing only 3 pounds 27 ounces, but that was pretty good considering she was premature.
"What's her name?" Matt asked Mary and Ben.
"Jessica Anne," Mary said, looking up at Ben, who nodded in agreement.
"Well, welcome to the world Jessica Anne Kinkirk," Matt said.
It was not before long that Mary felt another contraction coming.
"Oh my god Matt, I am having a contraction," Mary told her brother, in-between deep breaths.
"Okay Mary, I want you to push," Matt told his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she tightened her grip onto Ben's hand.
"Push, Push," Matt told Mary.
"AHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed. "8...9…10…Stop," Matt told her.
With that, Mary laid breathlessly against the back of the bed while Ben wiped her forehead with the wet rag.
"Okay, push," Matt told Mary once she had caught her breath.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she started to cry and bury her face into Ben's arm.
"Okay push," Matt told Mary after a few seconds.
"AHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed as she continued to push.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told his sister a few minutes later.
"Okay, the baby's crowning, I need you to push again, you can do it," Matt said trying to encourage his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary shouted, as she clenched her teeth, trying to fight the pain.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told Mary as she rested her head against the back of the bed as Ben stroked her long brown hair.
"Mary, one more push and the head is out," Matt told her.
With that, Mary sat up and started to push.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, once again burying her face in Ben's arm.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told his sister, a few minutes later.
"Okay Mary, one more push and you have another baby," Matt told his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary shouted.
"It's a boy!" Matt told Mary and Ben excited, as another load scream was heard throughout the room. Next, Matt lifted the baby up so that Mary and Ben could see. After that, he took the baby over to be weighed.
"He weights 4 pounds 13 ounces," Matt announced to Ben and Mary.
"Dad, would you like to cut the cord?" Matt asked Ben, again.
"Sure," Ben told Matt. With that, Ben proceeded to make the cut.
"What's his name?" Matt asked Mary and Ben.
"Andrew Jonathan," Mary replied, looking up at Ben.
"Welcome to the world Andrew Jonathan Kinkirk. You have a sister. Her name is Jessica Anne," Matt said.
Just then, a loud noise filled the room as one of the monitors went off.
"What's wrong?" Mary and Ben asked Matt in horror.
"The baby's heartbeat is dropping; we need to get the baby out right now!" Matt told them.
"Mary, I am going to rotate the baby," Matt told her.
"I don't want you to start pushing until I tell you too, okay?" Matt asked her.
Just then, Mary felt another contraction coming.
"OWWWWWW," Mary winced in pain.
"Matt, I am having a contraction," Mary told her brother, as she tried to breathe through the pain.
"Mary, don't push. Take deep breaths," Matt instructed.
"Okay," Mary responded.
Next, Matt started to rotate the baby; Mary winced in pain. The epidural was starting to wear off.
"Okay, I have rotated the baby. On the next contraction I want you to start pushing," Matt told Mary.
Just then, Mary felt the next contraction and started to push.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she started to cry and buried her face into Ben's arm.
"Come on Mary, push," Matt told her.
"AHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she attempted to push harder.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt instructed his sister.
"Okay Mary, Push," Matt told her after a few moments.
"I can't," Mary told her brother with tears in her eyes; she was exhausted and sweaty, and in pain.
"Mary, you have too," Matt told his sister.
"Come on Mare, you can do it. I am right here," Ben told his wife.
"No, I can't, I am too tired," Mary told Matt, breathlessly.
"Mary, listen to me," Matt said in a very serious tone, "if we don't get the baby out now it could die."
"Come on Mary, I am right here," Ben, said to his wife, not only for her but for him too. He didn't want to see their baby die; no one did.
"Okay, I am ready," Mary told Matt.
"Okay, push," Matt told his sister.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed.
Before Mary had the chance to lay back and catch her breath, Matt told her to push again.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed out in pain.
"Keep going Mary," Matt told his sister as she gasped for another breath.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed again, as she buried her tear stained face into Ben's shirt.
"8…9…10…Stop," Matt told his sister. With that, Mary rested her head against the back of the bed.
"The baby's crowning, I need you to push again," Matt told Mary. With that, Mary sat up and started pushing.
"AAHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she buried her face deeper into Ben's tear socked shirt.
"8…9…10…Relax," Matt told Mary a few minutes later, as Mary laid against the bed, out of breathe.
"Okay, the head is out, one more push," Matt told Mary. With that, Mary sat up and started to push.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Mary screamed, as she pushed again.
"8…9…10…relax," Matt told her a few minutes later, as she collapsed against the back of the bed.
"It's a girl!" Matt announced to his sister and brother-in-law. He lifted the baby up so that Mary and Ben could see their daughter.
"Another girl," Mary squealed.
"Yeah, she perfect," Ben said. Next, Matt took her over to be weighted.
"She weights 5 pounds 11 ounces," Matt announced.
"What's her name?" Matt asked them a moment later.
"Jennifer Lillian," Mary said looking up at Ben, who nodded in agreement.
"Well, welcome to the world Jennifer Lillian Kinkirk. You have wonderful parents and brother and sister," Matt said, as he flashed his sister a loving smile, in which she returned.
"Dad, would you like to cut the cord?" Matt asked Ben, handing him the scissors and telling him where to make the cut.
"Sure," Ben answered as he made the cut.
"Okay, here comes the next contraction, you know what to do," Matt told Mary, as he looked at the fetal monitor. With that, Ben helped Mary sit up as she pushed. Mary grabbed onto Ben's shirt for dear life as she cried, trying to fight the horrific pain that she was experiencing at the moment. It was unlike any other pain that she had experienced with the last three births just minutes before. Ben noticed the amount of pain that his wife was in and glanced nervously over at Matt.
"Mary, stop pushing," Matt insisted.
"Matt, I am in a lot of pain here," Mary told her brother.
"I need a nurse in here right now!" Matt thought out load, as he grabbed the phone on the wall to page a nurse to the room.
"Matt, what's wrong?" Mary asked nervously, glancing over at Ben. He squeezed Mary's hand reassuringly. Meanwhile, Matt was on the phone requesting that a nurse come to the room immediately.
After Matt got off the phone, Mary asked Matt again, "Matt, what's wrong?" even more anxious for her brother's response.
"Mary, the baby's shoulders are not coming down and I need some help getting the baby out," Matt explained to his baby sister.
"But, the baby is going to be okay right?" Mary asked.
"Honestly Mary, I don't know," Matt told his sister.
Just then, Sarah came rushing into the room, too much in a panic to even realize that it was Mary's room she was in.
"What's the problem?" Sarah asked.
"The baby's shoulders won't come down. Will you help me?" Matt explained and then asked.
"Sure," Sarah responded, as she a switched places with Matt, glancing up to notice that it was Mary.
"Mary," Sarah said, surprised.
"Surprise," Mary said.
"Okay Mary, here comes another contraction," Matt told her, "I want you to push."
"Please Matt, don't make me do this. It hurts," Mary pleaded with her brother.
Just then, Mary gasped in pain as the contraction hit her. Despite the fact that she was in a lot of pain and did not want to push, she did as she was told. Matt counted as Sarah urgently tried to get the baby's shoulder's to come down.
"OWWWW, Matt, make it stop, please. It hurts so badly," Mary groaned through the pain.
"Mary, you need to keep pushing," Sarah chimed in. Finally, after Matt had stopped counting, Mary relaxed.
"Any luck?" Matt asked Sarah.
"No, the baby's shoulders still won't come down," Sarah said, feeling where the shoulders were.
Mary had been pushing for two hours now and the baby's shoulders were still in the same spot as before. Mary was in a great amount of pain, since the epidural had completely worn off now; she was not sure how much longer she would be able to push; she was exhausted. "Okay Push," Matt told Mary for what seemed to be the two hundredth time. He knew that his sister was in a great amount of pain and he hated knowing that. After all, she was his baby sister and he was supposed to protect her, and knowing that he was not able to do that killed him inside.
"I know that it hurts and that you are in pain right now, but you need to push okay," Matt told Mary.
She nodded her head yes as she pushed again. Nothing happened.
"Matt, can I talk with you in the hallway for a moment?" Sara asked, as she ushered him out of the room.
Once they were out in the hallway, Sarah pulled Matt aside.
"Matt, what do you think we should do?" Sarah asked her husband.
"I think that we should let her continue to push for a little while longer," Matt told her.
"Okay, it's your call," Sarah said as she and Matt walked back into Mary hospital room. Once they were inside the room, Matt told Mary what they were going to do. On the next contraction, with her legs pulled further apart, Mary pushed with all of her energy while Sarah urgently tried to get the baby's shoulders free. She was sucessful. After that, Mary pushed only two more times before the baby was out.
"It's a girl!" Matt happily cheered, holding the baby up so that both Mary and Ben could see their third daughter.
"What is her name?" Matt asked Mary and Ben.
"Katerine Josephine," Mary told Matt.
"Welcome to the world Katerine Josephine Kinkirk," Matt said. Next, he went over and weighted the baby.
"She weights 4 pounds 16 ounces," Matt told them.
"Dad, would you like to cut the cord...again?" Matt asked Ben.
"Sure," He responded as he made the cut.
After the babies were all clean and each rapped in a blanket, Matt handed his sister and brother-in-law each two babies.
"Congratulations," Matt told Mary and Ben as he kissed his sister.
"I am so proud of you," Ben told Mary after a few moments.
"I love you," Ben said as he kissed his wife.
"I love you too. I can't believe we're parents," Mary told Ben.
"I know, it's great,"
"Yeah, it is," Mary agreed.