March 1997
March 24 1997 Bethesda Naval Hospital
It is 12:30 p.m. and Sarah has been in labor fo six hours. Because of her endometriosis she has very bad stomach labor and it also starts to hurt badly in the back but up to now it is still bearable. Harm can hardly see his wife in this much pain and just hopes that she will be able to have an epidural soon, to at least let her sleep for a few hours. Allowing her to rest and gather new strength. The last six hours have been pretty easy going but Harm as well as Sarah and her doctor know that it is going to get much worse and that it could happen that she might need and cesarian section. Even if Sarah does not really want an cesarian section it be come time where it is the only option for her and her health.
7:30 p.m.
Sarah has been in bad labor the past hours and up to now she is 5 cm deliated and is now aloud to have an epidural. After she has received the epidural Harm is glad that Sarah fell asleep and has the possibility to rest from the labor for a few hours. But he also knows that she will wake up after hours and that she will have bad labor pain again and this time until the baby is born.
Sarah´s epidural has lastet six hours and has to start breathing against the labor again. She is very happy that Harm is at her side and is there to support her.
At 11:39 p.m. their first child a little baby girl is born. Her name is Rose Louise. She is named after Harm´s mother and grandmother Rose and Harm´s grandmother Louise. After all is over Sarah is doing fine considering the circumstances of her illness. Harm is happy for Sarah that it is over and that they are a little family now. And that they will be able to enjoy their life.
He does not kno how well Sarah will be in the next weeks and therefore he asked for some time of to help her and to be with his family. "How are you feeling honey?" " Weak, tired and exhausted. I am in no pain thankfully." "Why don´t you get some rest and I´ll stay right at you side." "Thank you Harm." After that she closes her eyes and almost immediately falls asleep. Harm sits next to her watching her and making sure she is OK. He knows that his family and their colleagues would be there shortly to welcome the new member.
While she was sleeping the team and his family came by but were quiet to let Sarah sleep and to make sure she got the rest she needed.
Two days later Sarah is released from the hospital and Harm takes his two ladies home. Now they can start their life as a family at home. During the first few days Harm´s grandmother comes by to help a little. But for Sarah she is no help instead she is a pain in the neck. One evening Sarah decides to talk to Harm about it. "Harm I need to talk to you." "Sure. About what?" "Your grandmother." "What about her?" "She is driving me crazy. She thinks I am invalid. Please stop her coming by Harm." "I will talk to her tomorrow. I promise." "Thank you." The next day Harm sees how his grandmother is treating his wife, like she is a child or invalid. He decides to confron her about it. "Grandma stop it. Stop treating Sarah like she is invalid or a child. She can handle her stuff alone. She does not need a mother or a baby-sitter." "Remember how ill she was when you visited me once? That is why she cannot take care of herself." "Sarah can do whatever she wants and she does not need to be treated like a baby." He walks up to her and wraps and arm around her shoulder. She hands him the baby and says "thank you Harm." "I´ll be back in a minute." With that she walks up the stairs. After she is out of sight Harm gives his grandmother a piece of mind."How could you treat Sarah like that?" "You saw how much pain she was in the other day." " That is no reason. I would ask you to not come by in the next days because we have our own life and do not need someone babysitting Sarah. You can come back when you can behave. Not before. I do not want my wife coming to me complaining about you not treating her well. Until you do not understand that you are not welcome here." After he said that his grandmother leaves the house without an other word. She leaves Harm and Rose alone in the livingroom. Sarah returns to the livingroom and notices that Harm and Rose seem to be alone. He notices her look ans says. "I sent her home and told her not to return until she can behave and can treat you like an adult." "Thank you Harm. I appreciate it."