Chapter 147
"Tee did you hear me? I think my water just broke" said Lindsey looking freaked out. "Um... it's okay sweetie we're going to get you to the hospital" said Tegan looking panicked. "Lindsey come in for a few minutes please" said Kate behind Tegan. "What do you mean? Let's just get her to the hospital" shouted Tegan. "Tee, just relax for me, I've got this" said Kate taking Lindsey's hand. She led her into the kitchen and sat her down on a chair. Sara automatically ran to the room to go fetch Kate's bag. "Okay Linds... talk to me what's going on?" said Kate. "I had a small contraction at the store and I thought it was just one of those Braxton Hicks jobs but then I had another one, not a big one but yeah and then I had a proper one in the car" said Lindsey. "Okay just stay calm, I'm going to see how far dialated you are. Let's go into the bedroom" said Kate calmly and helped Lindsey up. "O fuck, oh fuck" cried Tegan with her hands over her mouth. "It's okay Tee... she's okay" said Sara with her arm around Tegan. "It's too early Sar... it's too early" cried Tegan.
Kate helped Lindsey onto the bed and removed her pants before putting on some sterile gloves. Tegan held her hand tight. "It's okay Boo. It's okay" she whispered. "Okay Linds... pull your legs up for me... sorry this may be a bit uncomfortable" smiled Kate and pressed her fingers up Lindsey to her cervix. She closed her eyes feeling around. "Looks as if you're only about two centimetres. There wasn't a lot of water from what I can tell. I'm going to take your BP and then we should go to the hospital" said Kate. "Kate... it's too early" said Tegan. "Tee, Adison's probably going to try and stop labour but if she can't it's okay. 32 weeks is not that early for twins. It's going to be fine. Try and calm down" said Kate wrapping the cuff around Lindsey's arm. "Why don't you go get the hospital bag, it's packed already isn't it?" said Kate calmly. "Yeah... okay. Be back in a sec babe" said Tegan and jumped up. "Tegan... remember your meds please" said Lindsey. "BPs okay... 117 over 81... everything's fine Linds. Tee get her some sweat pants so we can get out of here" smiled Kate.
Kate and Tegan helped Lindsey to the car. "It's a beautiful day to have a birthday" said Kate and winked at Tegan to make her feel more at ease. Deep down Kate was freaking out. A premature delivery wasn't ideal. "I'll drive" said Sonia. "Mom are you sure, should we get Jeff to drive?" said Sara. "No... they can follow in another car I'm fine" said Sonia. Sara got in front with her mom and Tegan and Kate got in the back of the SUV with Lindsey. "Concentrate on your breathing Linds" said Kate. "I'm here Boo... I love you so much" said Tegan stroking Lindsey's hair. Lindsey didn't reply. She look petrified with her eyes closed.
"Mom slow down" said Sara hanging on to the dashboard. "Mom... Jeez careful" shouted Sara as Sonia rounded a corner fast. Cars were hooting everywhere. "Sonia... take it easy we have time" said Kate calmly. Sonia slowed down a bit. "Ahhhh" moaned Lindsey and squeezed Tegan's hand. "Okay looks as if contractions are about 10 minutes apart" said Kate. "It's okay baby just breathe, it's okay" soothed Tegan. Kate dialled a number on her phone. "Adison, hi it's Kate. I'm on my way to the hospital with Lindsey. Looks as if she may be in labour. Okay great, see you there" said Kate before hanging up. "She's at the hospital already" said Kate. A few minutes later the car pulled up in front of the hospital. "Stay put" said Kate getting out. "I need a wheelchair or a gurney" she instructed an orderly.
Lindsey was pushed into the hospital in a wheelchair breathing heavily, clutching her belly. "We're going straight up to the maternity ward. You okay there Linds?" she said and pressed the elevator button. Lindsey nodded. The elevator doors opened and Kate pushed Lindsey inside. Tegan went down on her haunches in front of Lindsey and took her hands in her own. "I'm right here okay. Everything's okay" she smiled. A tear rolled down Lindsey's cheek.
The elevator doors opened and revealed Adison already waiting for them. "Hi guys... let's get you into a room so we can see what these rascals are up to" she smiled. Tegan didn't know if she should freak out or not. Adison and Kate both seemed kind of calm and it confused her. Some nurses helped Lindsey onto the bed and into a hospital gown. Tegan looked at Kate and Adison talking in a corner. Adison frowned and nodded before walking to the bed.
"Okay let's get a line started with a saline drip. Full bloods, get me a BP and blood glucose" said Adison. Kate wheeled the ultrasound closer. "Okay Linds... relax we're going to take good care of you and your babies" said Adison. She put the probe on Lindsey's belly and started rolling it around looking at the screen. Lindsey squeezed Tegan's hand hard. "There's baby A... little girl looks pretty comfy in there. Nice strong heartbeat" said Adison. Lindsey cried with relief. "Let's see where baby brother is... there we go... all good" smiled Adison. "Thank God" whispered Tegan. "I'm going to do an internal examination now, let's see if we can still stop you from going into labour" said Adison. She frowned with her hand in Lindsey. "You're about 4 centimetres. I'm going to put you on some meds to try and delay the labour but I'm going to be honest. It's a long shot" said Adison. "But... it's early... will they be okay?" asked Tegan in tears. "Tegan, we're doing everything we can okay. These babies are perfectly viable to be born. Yes, it's early but it's doable. Twins have a way of coming early. Must be getting crowded in there" said Adison calmly. She gave the nurse some medication orders. "You just relax for me now... I have to go check on another mom but I'll be back. Kate's staying with you" said Adison as Kate entered the room in her scrubs.
Sara and Sonia burst into the room panting. "Everything okay?" asked Sonia. "So far yes... we're going to try and stop labour with some medication. But the kids are just fine in there" smiled Kate. Sara plonked Lindsey's bag onto the floor and sat down. "Parking was a bitch" she mumbled.
Tegan held Lindsey in her arms. "It's okay sweetie just relax... they're fine. You're amazing" she whispered. "Ahhh" moaned Lindsey. "Another contraction?" asked Kate. Lindsey nodded through her pain. "Okay, we're going to but this monitor around your belly to measure your contractions. It's going to tell us how far apart and how strong they are" said Kate as a nurse put a wide belt like monitor around Lindsey's belly. Tegan looked completely freaked out. "You okay there Tee?" asked Kate writing down some notes. "Yeah... I'm good" said Tegan softly.
Everyone was quiet for a few minutes. Tegan and Lindsey both had their eyes closed, Tegan still stroking Lindsey's hair. "Here comes another one" said Kate looking at the monitor. Two seconds later Lindsey moaned again. Kate frowned looking at the monitor. "What... Kate... shouldn't they be getting less" asked Tegan. "It's okay... give the meds some time to work" said Kate adjusting Lindsey's drip.
Over the next hour the contractions kept coming at regular ten minute intervals. They got stronger with every contraction. "Linds... it's official... you're having these babies today. We couldn't stop labour" said Adison. Lindsey felt Tegan start to breathe harder and faster. "Tee... baby, you okay?" asked Lindsey. "Uh huh" grunted Tegan and took her inhaler out of her pocket. She took a large puff and held her breath for a second followed by another large puff. Kate walked around the bed to Tegan and put her stethoscope on her back. "You've got it... nice deep breaths" she said calmly. Tegan nodded and started breathing easier.
"Okay... who's ready to have some babies" said Kate smiling. "Let's do this" said Lindsey sounding scared. "Yeah... let's do this" smiled Tegan. "I need to wee... again..." said Lindsey. "Yup, you're going to want to wee a lot... babies are moving lower and are basically sitting right on your bladder. That's a good thing. We want them to drop" said Adison. "Your contractions are still quite far apart. We're taking the monitor off now so you're free to move around. That may help. Use the ball. Tegan, a back rub would probably be appreciated" said Kate. "Should we wait outside" said Sara looking as if she was about to be sick. "No you can stay for now if it's okay with Lindsey and Tegan. We'll tell you when to go" smiled Kate. "It's fine, please stay guys" said Lindsey. "I should phone Jeremy and Erin and the grandpas" said Tegan. "Yes please" said Lindsey quite calm before going into the bathroom.
Time passed slowly. The contractions were getting closer but Adison assured them it was still a way to go. Lindsey leaned over the bed and Tegan gave her the best back rub she could with shaky hands. Kate led Jeremy into the room. "Jeremy" said Tegan and hugged her friend. "You okay Linds?" asked Jeremy. "I am thanks" said Lindsey smiling. "Jer... this wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for you" said Tegan hugging him again. "My pleasure, you're going to be amazing parents" said Jeremy. Tegan was glad that they hashed out the role that Jeremy would play in their kids' lives before they even got pregnant. He wouldn't be "daddy", but he would have a very special part in their lives. Erin and Alex walked into the room and Tegan hugged them both hello. "I'm happy you're here" said Tegan becoming emotional.
Over the next hour the contractions started speeding up significantly. Sonia, Jeremy, Sara, Alex and Erin were sent outside to the waiting room a while ago. "Contractions now about two minutes apart. You're a fast worker Linds" joked Kate. Adison checked Lindsey's cervix again. "About seven centimeters" she said. "You're doing so great baby... I love you" said Tegan kissing Lindsey's cheek as another contraction came.
Kate walked down the hallway and bumped into Dr Weber. "Dr Morgan, what are you doing here... in scrubs?" he asked. "Just delivering some babies" smiled Kate. "You'll do no such thing" he huffed. "But... I cleared it with you sir. Dr Montgomery is on board..." said Kate looking baffled. "I haven't received the all clear from your psych eval Dr Morgan" said her boss. "I have the all clear... I'm sure she sent it" said Kate fast. "I haven't received it" said Dr Weber. "Sir... please... let me call her and we'll clear up this mess right now" said Kate. Weber crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow. Kate yanked her phone from her pocket and started dialling. "Can I speak to Violet please" she asked. "Can you call her out of her consult please this is an emergency... no no... please, this is a medical emergency please put me through to her" yelled Kate. Weber shook his head. "Problem?" asked Adison walking past. "Dr Morgan hasn't been cleared for duty" said Weber. "I have Dr Montgomery, I swear" said Kate still holding. "Well... I'm fine with her helping" said Adison. "I need that all clear from psych or this hospital could get sued" said Weber. "What the... don't be ridiculous" huffed Kate. "I'll see you in there Kate" said Adison and walked back into Lindsey's room. Weber shrugged, arms still folded. Kate shot him a dirty look. "Violet... Violet it's Kate, sorry for calling you out of a consult but Dr Weber says he hasn't received that all clear from you yet and Lindsey is in labour... she's pretty close to delivering... Please speak to him" said Kate, desperation in her voice. She handed the phone to Weber. "Dr Turner. How have you been?" said Weber smiling. Kate was tapping her foot and looking at her watch as Weber made smalltalk. "Uh huh... yeah... okay... I understand... Thank you" said Weber and hung up. He looked at Kate for a second and shook his head. "Well... what are you waiting for... I thought you had some babies to deliver" he said emotionless. A massive smile erupted on Kate's face. "Thank you... thank you sir" she said turning around and jogged to Lindsey's room.
"Okay contractions are less than a minute apart now, cervix is dialated to nine centimetres. Let's deliver some babies" said Adison as Kate entered the room. "We're good to go Dr Morgan. Let's get them to the delivery room" said Adison. Lindsey balled her cheeks letting out a deep breath. "I'm here sweetie... You're okay" Tegan kept saying as they wheeled Lindsey down the hall to the delivery room. "Tegan, you can change into some scrubs in here. Nurse will help you" smiled Kate. "I'll be right back baby" said Tegan and kissed Lindsey's forehead. "Ahhhh" yelled Lindsey. "Hurry up Tegan" she shouted.
Tegan ripped her clothes off in record speed and pulled on some blue scrubs. She jumped around trying to pull her shoes back on and slammed into a locker. "Ouch" she mumbled and ran back to the delivery room. "Hang on Tegan" said the nurse and helped her wash her hands, pull some covers over her shoes and put on a scrub cap. "Hurry up, hurry up" said Tegan. "Okay go" smiled the nurse. Tegan burst into the delivery room. Lindsey gave her a weak smile.
"I'm back... I'm right here... you ready?" asked Tegan out of breath. "I don't know" said Lindsey. "Oh shit... my inhaler... I forgot my inhaler in my pants pocket" said Tegan. "You okay Tee?" asked Kate. "Yeah but... I need to have it with me" said Tegan panicked. "Nurse, would you mind checking Tegan's pants pockets for her inhaler?" asked Kate calmly. "Thanks... sorry. I was in a hurry" mumbled Tegan. Lindsey rolled her eyes just before another contraction hit. "Ahhhh fuck" she screamed. "Just breathe baby... breathe" said Tegan stroking her hair, matted from sweat. "You... look so hot in those scrubs" joked Lindsey after the contraction subsided. "Cool your jets and rest up" said Kate. "Let's get a feotal monitor on her" said Adison. The nurse put two large dopler monitors on Lindsey's belly. "There they are. Check mom's BP for me" said Adison. "You're not quite ten centimetres yet... but you will be soon" said Kate checking her cervix. "BPs looking good 115 over 78" reported the nurse. Another contraction hit hard and Lindsey just about broke the bones in Tegan's hand. "Dr Montgomery, Doppler results for twin A..." said a nurse looking worried. "What... what's wrong... what's going on?" asked Lindsey panicked. "Guys... twin A's heart rate is down to 90 but we're okay above 80... relax for me, you're going to push with the next contraction" said Adison slowly and calmly. "It's happening" said Tegan.
"Twin A's in trouble" said a nurse. "Heart rate's down to 75" said Kate. "No... please, please" whispered Tegan. "Okay Linds I want you to push with this contraction okay... nice and hard" said Adison. Lindsey nodded. Adison got up from the stool between Lindsey's legs. "Dr Morgan, you do the honours" she said. Kate smiled and turned to the nurse to tie up her mask. "Here we go buddy... push" she said. Lindsey sat up and pushed. Tegan tried to support her back. "You're doing great Boo... you can do this... push" she said. The veins in Lindsey's neck popped out as she pushed hard. "Okay stop pushing... lie back down and relax" said Kate.
"How long is this going to take?" asked Sara pacing up and down in the waiting room. "No idea... relax, Alex went to get you some coffee" said Erin. "Fuck I'm so nervous you'd swear I was having the babies myself" said Sara.
"Uhhhh this hurts like hell" mumbled Lindsey. "Nurse can we get a pulse ox on mom and get her on a heart monitor" said Kate. "Mom's pulse ox is 96 on room air, ecg looks good" reported the nurse after attaching the monitors. "Let's give her 5 litres of oxygen via nasal canula" said Kate. "Baby's heart rate down to 70" said Adison. "Okay make the next push a big one Linds" said Kate sounding concerned. Lindsey pushed again as the contraction hit. "Okay Linds keep pushing for ten seconds now... push... keep pushing... 5, 6..." urged Kate. "Count faster" said Lindsey through gritted teeth. "Okay I see the head, can we get the cranial electrode on" said Kate and attached a monitor to the baby's head. "What are you doing?" asked Tegan. "Just attaching a monitor to the baby's head... it's just a bit more accurate. Where's the paediatrician?" asked Kate. "Scrubbing in" said the nurse.
Lindsey lay panting on the pillows. "You stay right here... don't look down there" said Lindsey out of breath. "I'm right here, breath, there we go... in, in, ouuuuut" said Tegan. "Okay Linds here it comes make it count" said Kate. "Push baby push" said Tegan. "Dr Montgomery" said Kate, fear evident in her voice. "What, Kate?" asked Tegan. "Cord's around the neck, baby's heart rate is down to 60" said Adison. Kate frowned and did something that Tegan couldn't see over the surgical drapes. "Dammit... I can't get it around.." mumbled Kate. "You're doing great Dr Morgan, there you go, you've got it" said Adison. "Got it" said Kate. "Come on Linds last bit push I hope" said Kate. "Ahhhh" yelled Lindsey and started pushing again. "Go Linds, push, keep pushing almost there" urged Kate.
"Congratulations, It's a girl" said Kate pulling the baby out. Lindsey and Tegan both let out cries of relief. "Cut the cord let's get her to resus" said Kate urgently without even showing her to Lindsey and Tegan. "What... why... why isn't she crying... Kate... why isn't she crying" said Tegan loudly.
A nurse took the baby and took her to the baby resus bed on the other side of the room. Tegan heard words she didn't understand, "Suction... pulse up to 90 but she's not breathing... bag her" said the peadiatritian. "Is she okay... Kate tell me she's okay" cried Lindsey. "It's under control Linds... they're taking good care of her" said Kate. "Tegan go check" said Lindsey. "You have to deliver the placenta now Linds... come on almost there" said Kate.
Tegan got up and walked to the peads team working on her baby girl. "Get her on a monitor and let's get a BP... sats are low we may need to intubate. Start a line" yelled the male doctor. Tegan saw the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on. Her baby girl was tiny with a head full of dark hair. A doctor was vigorously rubbing her back trying to get her to breathe. She had a blueish tint. "Come on little one" he said softly. "No breath sounds" reported the nurse. "Okay size one ET tube please" asked the doctor. Tears were flowing from Tegan's eyes and she had her hand in front of her mouth. She closed her eyes as the doctor pushed a tube down the baby's throat. "I'm in, bag her. Pulse?" he asked. "Pulse is strong, 101. She stabilising, good lung sounds, BP's looking good" said the nurse. "She's okay Tegan... we're just going to help her breathe for a while... meet your baby girl" said the doctor. A nurse pulled her closer. "Hey little girl... it's mommy... welcome to the world precious" whispered Tegan through her tears. A nurse put a little cap on her. "Helps body heat escaping" she smiled. The doctor pressed a button on the high tech bed. "Hands off let's weigh the princess" he said. The nurse stopped bagging for a second. "Three pounds, five ounces" he reported. "We're going to take her to the NICU now Tegan. She's okay... congratulations" said the peadiatrician. "Thank you" whispered Tegan. "Dr Adams is going to take care of your boy" he said as they put the baby in an incubator and rolled her out of the room.
"Okay Linds... brother's still a bit high, he's going to be a while before he graces us with his presence. Rest up" winked Kate still doing something between Lindsey's legs. "Thank you Kate... thank you" said Lindsey through her tears. "It was an honour and a privilege" said Kate and got back to work. Tegan walked back to Lindsey slowly. She took her hand and smiled. "She's okay sweetheart, she's okay" she whispered. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen" said Tegan. "Here's a photo Lindsey" said the nurse that was taking pictures of the whole thing. Lindsey let out a sob. "She... she's so tiny. Is she okay, is she okay?" she said. "She's okay honey... she's tiny but she's okay. I love you... I'm so proud of you" said Tegan. "I love you too" whispered Lindsey with her eyes closed. "You guys have a name yet?" asked Kate. Tegan mouthed something to Lindsey and Lindsey nodded. "Casey... Casey Sonia Quin" said Tegan and smiled.
A/N: Welcome to the world baby Casey! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. More action to follow in the next few days. Review please!