Author's note
I'm so sorry for not updating earlier! It was so busy at work and then I had to do the preparations for my birthday party on the weekend.
But now I'm back :)
I hope you enjoy the first part, as it was getting too long (I think this is one of the largest chapters..) I described it the way, I experienced it and how it is normal process in Germany although in Germany the babies are delivered by mid-wifes and the doctors are only there in emergency cases, so I changed it a little bit.
As always: Let me know what you think about the chapter!
Liam's birth Part I
She lies on the bed, thoughts running through her head. Where the fuck did she put her bag with the stuff for the hospital. But then another wave of pain runs through her body and she starts to pant. Seconds later the pain has vanished. Was it this bad with Henry? She is not sure. Right, back to the bag, her toothbrush is still in the bathroom, she needs her shampoo and some body wash gel. Lip balm is in her purse (she has read somewhere that during the stress of giving birth the lips could get dry and it is more comfortable to use a lip balm), things for Liam are already in the bag and some pyjamas for her and of course some sweatpants, because she highly doubts that any of her skinny jeans will fit her after giving birth. She hears tries screeching in front of their house which announces the arrival of her husband.
The front-door opens with a bang and soon hasty footsteps are heard on the stairs.
A breathless pirate storms into the bedroom.
"Catch your breath. Captain! It's not like I will give birth any min.." she can't finish her sentence as another contraction takes over control over her body "Ahhh" she can't suppress a hiss of pain.
"How long is it?" Killian looks at her, his eyes full of stress and concern.
"How long is what?"
"The time between the contractions."
"Hmm, I'm not sure, something about 3 minutes" The eyes of her husband seem to pop out of his head.
"Swan, we need you to get to the hospital, like now!"
"You were saying?" She actually is able to smile at him. "I thought that was the reason I called you here"
"So it isn't that bad if you're still able to make fun of me" but he smiles back at her.
"My precious wife, where the hell did you put this bag? And because I know you so well, what things do you need me to pack for you?"
He bends down and kisses her and she responds without hesitation.
"I love you Killian"
"I love you too, so now, let me know where the bag is and what things do you need?"
"It should be in the nursery and I haven't packed my toothbrush, my shampoo and my… Ahhh" the next wave comes and the time period shortened. "… and my body wash gel."
"Ok, love, I'll be right back! Don't move!"
"Wouldn't dream about it" she bites back as she is still lying on the bed. He rushes out the door, comes back with the bag moments later and goes straight to the bathroom, she hears him rumbling through the place and soon he is back at her side, just in time to be witness of another contraction.
"Ok, David already called Regina. She will pick up Lady and Henry later. I will put the bag in the car and then I come back to take you, alright Swan?"
She nods. He is still so organized but she feels that deep down he is absolutely terrorised because she never has seen him this hectic before.
He returns and pulls back the blanket to pick her up. Then he sees the towel between her legs for the first time and that she is still in her big shirt (the one with the skull and crossbones) and her panties.
"Nice outfit, Swan"
"Idiot!"
"Wait!" He turns to one of her drawers and pulls out a new panty and one pair of sweatpants.
"There you go, Swan" He takes of the soaked panty and puts on the new one, the towel leaving between her legs. The pants follows, the last piece is a parka and afterwards he picks her up as if she weights nothing.
He takes her to the car.
"You really sure, that we don't need to call an ambulance?"
"No, just make the seat into an lying position. The hospital is only a five minute drive away. I will lie down and you drive cautiously, ok?"
He nods and sat her down on the front seat after he has pulled it back.
She lies back and sighs, and she starts to pant as another wave of pain shocks her body.
Five minutes later they arrived at the hospital and Killian somehow manages to get hold of a wheel-chair.
They arrived at the information desk of the genecology just at 12.30.
"Ah the Sherriff and the Captain" One of the nurses greets them.
"How can I help you?" Emma's mouth gapes open and she feels Killian stiffens behind her.
She is just about to rant that she can't be serious asking something like that a pregnant woman in wheel-chair with a nearly hyperventilating husband behind her when she sees the smirk on the nurse's face.
"Just kidding, Mrs. Jones. I will call Dr. Whale and let him now, that he has to come here and help you deliver the little one." She turns around and picks up the phone.
"I was about to beat the desk with my hook, Swan" Killian whispers in her ear.
"Believe me, I would have done something more drastic, if I were able to.." she moans at the pain starting in her back and went straight to her groin.
"Ah, Emma" Victor comes around the corner "and Killian! Fine at the noises I hear, it seems that Liam has got his notice to leave" he smirks at Emma who only is able to give back a half-smile.
"Ok, what happened? When did the contractions start?"
"My water broke about 11 o'clock and half an hour later the contraction started."
She answers him, but has to breathe away another pain-wave.
"And the distance between the contractions is now about 2 minutes." She continues.
"Let's see how wide the cervix is opened and then we make another ultrasound ok?" They both nod.
"Furthermore you will get attached the CTG to monitor the contraction and the heartbeat of Liam."
He motions Killian to push her into one of the delivery rooms.
It is painted in bright yellow and the atmosphere is nice. She lies down on the bed and is examined by Dr. Whale.
"Ok, Emma, it is opened by 3cm and according the ultrasound everything is fine."
He puts on the CTG and soon the sound of Liam's heartbeat fills the room.
"That's good. 130 beat a minute, strong and steady. Killian, could you please have an eye on it?"
"Of course, but why?"
"It will take a while till it will reach the needed 10cm opening and I will not be able to stay the whole time. If the heartbeat of Liam goes above 160 please directly put this emergency button if no one is here. Ok?"
Killian nods and Emma seems to be scared.
"Don't be afraid, it's nothing bad. Just the birth is as stressful for the baby as it is for the mother and if the heartbeat stays at such a high level a c-section could be an alternative to reduce the stress for the child."
"Ok" both says in unison.
"So try to relax, Emma. Try to reduce the pain using the right breathing and if you're not able to bear the pain, let me know. There are different methods like getting in the tub or getting an epidural."
They nod again in unison and Dr. Whale leaves the room.
"So now what, Swan?" Killian caresses her cheek.
"As I didn't eat anything today, it would be great if you can get me something." He laughs and gives her a peck.
"Everything for my lady and don't give birth while I'm away chasing something to eat for you!" He winks at her and she is actually able to snort before the pain takes over again.
Now that she is alone in the room, her thoughts drift to the previous nine months. Actually her life is perfection right now, ok, despite the constant pain she is feeling right now, but she is sure the Liam will be worth the pain.
Her hand is resting on her stomach while her head falls back on the pillow. God, it hurts, it hurts damn much!
She groans and her whole body shakes. Even the panting doesn't help. Bloody hell, to quote her pirate husband, this is really painful.
Was it the same with Henry? She is not sure, it was 12 years ago and she was chained to the bed. Now she is able to move if she wasn't chained to the CTG.
She groans again. These contractions better have a good effect on her cervix. She can't imagine suffering the pain more than some hours, remembering the horror stories of being in labour over days.
The door opens and Killian comes back, smiling and holding up a sandwich triumphantly.
She only looks at him, a deep frown on her face and then the pain hits her again and she starts to cry.
He looks at her in horror and nearly let the sandwich slip.
"Swan, remember, you have to breathe the pain away, shall we do it together?"
"You" she points at him with her index-finger. "YOU!" She cries out again, moving her body from side to side, trying to pant the pain away, but she is not successful.
"You filthy, cocky pirate brat, YOU did this to me!" She yells at him. God, there is so much pain and he is the reason, or better his past self from 30 years ago!
"Ahh" "Swan, let me help" Killian looks confused at her behaviour and she only gets angrier at his stare.
"Help?How gracious from you. How do you want to help me? Hold my hand? No thank—Ah god damn it hurts!"
Tears are falling down her cheeks and Killian pushes the button for help.
A few minutes later Dr. Whale is back at the room.
"You rang?"
"Yes, I did" Killian turns to him "I didn't want to leave her and she is in so much pain"
"I see. Let me have a look Emma. It seems you got quite the strong contractions here" He has taken a look at the paper from the CTG. After examining her again a frown is on his face.
"You did great, Emma! 2cm in the last hour, did you have an appointment you have to attend to?" he jokes but Emma is not able to respond, because the pain is too much.
"Ok, I would suggest that you get in the tub. The warm water will help you to ease the pain a little bit and if you want to and everything is fine, you even can give birth in the tub." Killian raises his eyebrows and Emma just nods.
She sits up and Killian helps her to get over to the tub.
She loses her last cloth (the pirate shirt) and dives into the warm water. It feels fantastic and she is relaxing, finally able to breathe.
"Better, love?"
He seems really worried and she is rueful because she did take her pain out on him.
"I'm sorry, Killian. I didn't mean to yell at you." She can feel tears burning in her eyes again.
"Don't be, love. You can yell at me as much as you want to if that's what you're helping with going through labour."
He smirks at her and she splashes a little bit of water against him.
"So, as your mood has shifted to the better, would you like to eat the sandwich now?"
She is so grateful about his thoughtfulness. She is really hungry and takes it eagerly. The contractions are still there but it is like Victor said, it eases the pain.
But an hour later the effect is gone and she starts to pant. The pain is omnipresent. She grabs Killian's hand and squeezes it hard.
"Everything ok, Emma" she is in so much pain, she isn't able to answer him let alone speaks any coherent sentence and so she only groans. It's a low humming tone and Dr. Whale turns to her.
"It seems that the effect of the water doesn't help any more. Let me see how much progress we've made in the last hour."
She feels him touching her and he announces that she has reached 7 cm. She is nearly losing her consciousness because of the pain. The contractions are now coming in such short distances she isn't able to relax between them.
"Emma, look at me!" Is this Victor's voice?
"Emma, I think it would be the best if we make something else to ease the pain. You need to gather your strength for the final pushes. I would suggest that we get you a PDA. Do you agree?"
Emma just nods. She is still not able to speak and she only wants to be painless for some time. She knows that Killian would have loved if Liam would be born in the water but she is not able to last any longer and according to the monitor with Liam's heartbeat, he neither.
They help her out of the tub and take her back to the bed. Dr. Whale prepares everything and another doctor enters the room.
"Hi Mrs. Jones. I'm Dr. Collins. I will give you the PDA now. Would you please be so kind and sit up?"
She reaches for Killian to support her and sits up.
"Very good. Now, to give the PDA to you, I need you to arch your back." She follows his instructions.
He prepares her back and when tells her that she should let him know when the contraction is over.
As the last contraction is over she gives him a sign. She feels a slight pressure and something cold.
"Very good, Mrs. Jones. The pain should be fading in about 20 minutes. Nice to meet you, Family Jones and I wish you all the luck for the birth!"
He shakes hands with Killian and Emma is already lying on the bed again.
As he promised, the pain fades nearly 20 minutes later.
She sighs and is finally able to speak again.
"Thank god, I feel like a new person right now. God, this pain was too much."
Killian is at her side and kisses softly her temple.
"Hey love, glad to have you back again" She slaps him playfully.
Dr. Whale smirks again "It's really amazes me every time how effectual this modern medicine is."
He continues "Emma, I have to let you know that the PDA tends to milden the contractions, it can be possible that we have to give you some medicine to increase them again. But for now everything seems fine and even Liam has relaxed according to his heartbeat."
He leaves the room and they're alone again.
"So, how are you doing, Killian?" She smiles at him, because he really looks destroyed. His hair is even more dishevelled than normal, he has sweat-points under his arms and he looks quite pale.
"Honestly?" he takes her hand again. "I'm a mess and it's really horrible to see you in such pain."
A lonely tear runs over his cheek. "Gods above, Emma, I love you so much and seeing you like this, it hurts."
She brushes the tear away with her thump.
"The reward for this pain will be amazing, Killian. I promise!"
45 minutes later Dr. Whale comes back.
"I'm afraid we have to give you something to trigger the contractions again, Emma."
She nods and he gives something into her infusion.
The pain starts again, but everything feels numb.
Breathing helps and so she continues. Half an hour later she is examined again.
"Great, Emma, we reached 9 cm. Not much longer and we can start to push!"
Although the pain is still numb she feels her whole body tense with every contraction. Suddenly the monitor blinks in red and makes noises.
She looks over only to see that Liam's heartbeat is in a high rate.
She swallows hard as she recognizes the frown on Victor's face.
She squeezes Killian's hand again and then speaks to Liam.
"Don't leave me hanging Liam! We can do this! We've made it so far, we'll pass the rest as well!"