Aladdin and I are both waiting patiently for the physician, Ramiz. I'm between 37 and 38 weeks and my visits with the good doctor are now weekly. I'm unable to wrap my mind around the fact that my pregnancy is nearing the end. I'm so afraid. I don't know how my labor will go. Again, will Ramiz ask Aladdin to leave? I can only hope he'll be by my side from the beginning. I shouldn't worry so much. I truly believe it's beginning to show. Aladdin is looking at me with concern.
Quite frankly, it's getting on my nerves. He's been this way for a week. Ever since I told him about the mild cramps I've experienced and the constant back pain, he's kept a close watch over me. I smile to reassure him I'm fine but it does no good. He continues to pace the floor. I'm surprised he hasn't run a path into the marble. I know he's worried, so am I. He doesn't realize that this scares me to death! I'm the one who will be going through the pain, the pushing, and the recovery. He has the easiest part in all of this.
I've never seen him this worried. He insisted that he needed to be here today to talk to the physician. I suppose he wants to hear it firsthand that I'm not breaking and all my symptoms are perfectly normal. I suppose he thinks I'll keep something from him. He knows I would never do that! I tell him everything that Ramiz goes over with me during each visit. I never leave any detail out! What is keeping from me? I mull this over when there's a knock at the door. Ramiz enters with a middle aged woman in his wake. Who could she be? I watch her close the door amd stand off to the side. This is the first time I've come in contact with any of his help.
"Let me introduce you to Farida. She will be assisting me during the birth of your baby. She is a midwife and in the case I'm not available, she will be the one to handle the situation. Now, how are you doing today, Your Highness? Anything new happening?" He sits down at my vanity and stares me square in the eye, willing me to spill any information I might have. I do have something to tell him but I'm not sure how I should ask. I also haven't spoken to Aladdin about it. I've been afraid to tell him. I wanted to spare his sanity. I suppose I should speak since everyone is looking at me awaiting my answer.
"I'm fine. I'm able to eat again. I don't have the pressure I was feeling in the upper part of my stomach. I'm guessing the baby has completely dropped?"
"Yes. And that's great to hear. That's what we're wanting. Is there anything else I should know about?" Before I'm able to speak, Aladdin breaks his silence.
"She's having back pain and mild cramps. She acts like it's fine and I'm not convinced. I want your opinion. Is that normal?" Aladdin is no longer pacing. He stands with his arms crossed against his chest looking at Ramiz. I can't distinguish what type of look he's giving the doctor. He looks furious but it's mixed with a look of concern. His stance holds power; a power that screams authority.
"Everything Jasmine is going through is perfectly normal. She's only experiencing false labor. It's another step toward the end. Her body is prepping itself for labor. You'll know when you're in labor. Those cramps will be much worse and will be throughout your stomach and back." Ramiz turns his attention back to me and continues to speak but I no longer listen. I feel like I'm on autopilot. He asks the same questions from previous visits which I answer with a nod or a shake of my head. I truly have no idea what he's asking or what I've agreed to. I finally snap myself out of my reverie when he asks to examine me. It's the usual except this time I'm stunned by his proclamation of me being dilated 2 centimeters. What?!
I watch Aladdin, out of the corner of my eye, stiffen. He's as surprised as I am. I reach my hand out to him and he returns a small squeeze. I look back at Ramiz as he speaks about the upcoming days or weeks. He said that even though I've dilated to 2 centimeters, it doesn't mean I will go into labor over night. It could be days or another week before it all happens. He also continues to tell me that I'm 38 1/2 weeks along. Further along then he predicted. I'm warned to let him know anything if something were to change. I need to tell him my little secret before he leaves but I'm also worried about Aladdin and how he will take it.
"Ramiz, there is something I need to ask. Is it normal if the baby barely moves? There are moments when there are small movements and then I don't feel anything. Should I be worried?" I steal a glance at Aladdin and he's furious! There's no hiding it. I don't think he wants to hide it. I bend my head to look down at my hands. It seems like forever before Ramiz speaks.
"That is also normal. As long as you can still feel the baby move, then you have nothing to worry about. The reason you're not feeling as much movement as before is because the baby has dropped into the birthing position. My guess is it began once you felt the pressure drop, am I right?"
"Yes."
"Everything's fine. No need to worry unless the movements quit all together. Just continue to take it easy and I will check in after a couple days." I thank him and Farida. They leave our room and we're thrown into silence. I don't want to chance a glance at Aladdin, afraid of what I might find. Unfortunately, the silence doesn't last long as he finally speaks.
"Why didn't you tell me? How could you keep that from me? I thought we promised never to keep secrets from one another? I thought we put all of that behind us!" His voice resounds throughout our bedroom. I'm sure everyone in the Palace heard him.
"Aladdin, I'm sorry. I truly am! I didn't want to tell you because you were already worried enough."
"Yes, I have been worried but only because I love you and I don't want to lose you! You're the most important person in my life and I don't know what I would do if I lost you. Okay, I worried over the little things but I wasn't sure. How was I suppose to know that what you've been going through was normal? Jasmine, I'm scared and knowing there isn't anything I can do worries me. I've tried my best to protect you from anything and everything. You being pregnant is something I can't protect you from."
"Aladdin, I know you want to protect me but sometimes you need to put the hero to rest and just be my husband. I love you and I need you by my side. I can't do this without you. Please try not to worry so much. I will be fine. When I go into labor, then you can worry."
"I'll try. As far as being by your side, I'll always be there. They'll have to pry me away. We are in this together, after all."
"Forever." We lean in and share a mildly passionate kiss. It feels like it's been forever since we've kissed. We've had our minds so wrapped around the past week's events that we lost touch with one another. I could stay in his arms all day. I suppose it's the best thing to do since our little bundle of joy will be making his or her appearance soon.
As much as Aladdin tried his besy to not worry, it didn't stop him from keeping an eye on me. At his request, he's asked Farida to check up on my progress. I was told yesterday that I was at 4 centimeters. It's taken a week and a day for me to dilate 2 more centimeters. My guess is our baby wants to take his or her time. I'm not going to argue. I'm not quite ready to go into labor. Though I'm ready to meet our baby, my head can't grasp the idea of how labor will go. It scares me not knowing.
The one thing I do know is that I'm tired of being locked away in our chambers! Aladdin has went to drastic measures to keep me in here. He's determined to make sure I don't go into labor anywhere besides in here. He's resulted in making sure a guard stands post outside the door. I can't take it anymore! I need to escape and get some fresh air. I open the door and find that the guard is asleep. How lucky am I? I creep past him and walk dowm the hallway to the exit to the gardens. Before I can reach the exit, I hide behind a column when I hear Aladdin's voice. I know I shouldn't hide from him but the last thing I want to endure is his anger. I listen closely and realize he's talking to Genie.
"I don't know what I'm going to do! Jasmine has begged me to let her walk around the Palace but I'm afraid that she'll go into labor and I won't be there. I'm only doing this because I love her and want what's best for her." I steal a glance and see Aladdin running his hands through his hair. A sure sign he's stressed.
"Al, no matter if she's locked away or roaming the Palace, she will go into labor. I know you're scared. She is too and that's normal for first time parents. You can't keep doing this."
I don't stay long enough to hear the rest of their conversation. I make my way back to my bedroom. Genie's right. I could go into labor at any time and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it. Not even Aladdin.
I try to walk faster but I'm suddenly stopped in my tracks. A strong cramp runs through out my stomach and back. This pain is so much stronger than the ones I've experienced. Could I be in labor? I cradle my swollen belly and wait for the contraction to subside. Once it does, I continue to walk back to my room before another contraction stops me. I'm able to reach the door and open it when another contraction hits me. I try to move to the bed but the pain keeps me from moving an inch. I try to breathe through the pain as I was taught by Farida. It helps a little but I need to sit down. The pain decreases enough for me to make it to the bed. As soon as I sit down, Aladdin enters.
"Jasmine, I need to apologize for keeping you in here. I... Are you okay?" Aladdin looks me over and just when I'm about to speak, another contraction takes over my body. He runs to my side and grabs my hand. I squeeze it as hard as I can, hoping this will help me make it through. I wish I could speak but the pain is so strong. I want it to be over. Now! I waited until the pain disappeared before speaking.
"Aladdin, go get Ramiz or Farida. It's time." He doesn't waste time in leaving the room. A part of me wishes he hadn't left me but another part hopes he hurries. I feel so helpless. All I can do is wait and the worst problem is there's pain involved amd nothing that can be done about it. I sit back against the headboard and wait. Within minutes, I'm in pain again. I suppose this is a small price to pay to meet my little one. To think, I will be a mother soon. Despite the agonizing pain I'm goimg through, I'm able to smile.
I'm sorry it's took me so long to post this. I tried to make this chapter longer to make up for that and also because Jasmine will be having the baby in the next chapter. And as promised, I will be taking things a little slower in the rest of this story.
Now, will Jasmine have a boy or a girl? What are you hoping she'll have? I'd love to hear your thoughts.