"Roza?!" I heard shouted through the infirmary seventy seconds later.
"Ha! I was closer," gloated Alberta, as Celeste muttered something about freakishly tall Russians. My Russian God burst into the room in a panic to see me fiddling with the button that adjusted the back of the bed, and Celeste lowering the blind at the window.
"I thought you were in labor?" he gasped.
I giggled.
"I am! Five centimeters dilated," I announced proudly. "You got here fast!"
Dimitri was looking a little deflated, but then the next contraction hit. I grabbed the rail that was up on one side of the bed, panting and rubbing my bump with the other hand. You could actually feel the muscles contracting through the skin.
"Milaya," Dimitri said with wide eyes, at my side in an instant. "Does it hurt?"
"Well, it doesn't tickle!" I said when I'd got through it.
"Do you need anything?" Alberta asked.
"Yes. I left my phone in our unit charging. Could you get that and the charger? And my camera; it's right next to it. Also, can you make sure Olena, Yeva, and Abe know I'm here? Dimitri, can you text Janine? She asked to be informed when I went into labor." Alberta and Celeste left to get what we needed, and Dr. Olendzki knocked and entered.
"Great! I have the two of you alone. Let's run through a few things before anyone else arrives. Like any labor, your loved ones will be excited and maybe a little overbearing. In this room, I'm working for you and the baby, Rose. You can have whoever you want in here, as long as they're not interfering. But you might find there comes a time when you want someone or everyone to leave. If that's so, tell me you have a craving for doughnuts. I'll know that means you want me to clear the room. You don't need to be stressing about offending anyone, and I have no problem kicking people out. You can always invite them back in later if you want to.
"Guardian Belikov – that includes you. Sometimes it helps for the man to step out of the room for a little while; either because Mom wants it or because I think you might need a break. You need to understand the priority here is keeping Rose comfortable and happy and the baby safe. Unless it's a medical decision, Rose is in charge here. It's her birthing space, and she needs to feel respected and in control. Listen to what she wants. I'll only make a request of you if it's necessary, in which case I need you to obey immediately, even if it's asking you to step outside. Understood?"
"I understand," Dimitri said, answering Dr. Olendzki, but not breaking eye contact as he gazed at me with adoration.
"Finally Rose gets a free pass today. Anything she says, any insult she makes to anyone gets discarded with the afterbirth. She's probably going to tell you she hates you at least once, Dimitri. She doesn't mean it, although she might think she does at the time. When the baby is born, all being normal we'll hand bub straight to Rose, and I recommend putting baby straight to the breast. In the first few days, your breasts produce colostrum which is full of antibodies your baby needs. You don't make a lot, but the more baby is at the breast, the better, especially if you plan to breastfeed. It will also help you deliver the placenta. Dimitri all going according to plan, do you want to cut the cord?"
Dimitri finally dragged his eyes from mine to look at Dr. Olendzki.
"Yes, I'd like to," he said, his voice thick with emotion. She nodded, jotting his preference down on her notepad.
"Rose, you're welcome to use the shower as much as you want during the earlier parts of labor. Some women find the hot water helps. It's probably easiest for you if you go in nude. Dimitri, you or the nurse will need to go with her - she's not to shower unsupervised. If you attend and want to shower with her, please wear a pair of swim trunks."
I was smirking at the idea of the nurse or Dr. Olendzki copping an eyeful of my Russian God.
"I hadn't thought about her using the shower," he admitted. "I'll ask Mama to bring my swim trunks and a few pair of shorts," he said, leaning forward and giving me a quick peck on the nose before stepping outside to call her. The second he left another contraction hit.
"They are coming quite fast. When Dimitri gets back, I'll get you to get changed into what you want to wear for the delivery. I've set up a waiting area down the front for anyone who chooses to wait. Do you have an idea of who you might want in here besides Dimitri?"
"I'm not sure yet. Maybe Alberta, Celeste or Dimitri's mother Olena? Not all at the same time and I don't think I want them here for the pushing or any examinations, though."
"Ok, that's fine. You can change your mind at any time, just let me know. I meant what I said – this is your show, Rose. We're all just here to help." She gave me a motherly smile and brushed my hair from my forehead. "You'll do great; I have no doubt."
Dimitri came back in, and Dr. Olendzki excused herself.
"Mama's bringing my swimwear, and I've texted Janine. She texted back that she loves you and wishes us every luck. Abe and Pavel are in the waiting area out the front and also send their best."
"Did you tell them it might be hours yet?" I asked.
"I did, but Abe said he'd never waited for a baby to be born before and he intended to make the most of the experience," Dimitri chuckled.
"Glad to be a source of entertainment," I said rolling my eyes but with a smile. "So are you excited, Comrade?"
"So excited, Roza. We're going to meet our baby, soon!"
"We are!" I said nervously. "Bring me the baby's bag."
We sat side by side on the bed, unpacking the outfit we'd chosen as our little one's first; a white long-sleeved legged baby sleepsuit with gray giraffes on it, and a matching hat. Dimitri opened the box of newborn diapers and got one ready, and we laid everything out on the changing area beside the warming lamps.
"You did this to me!" I growled, staring daggers at Dimitri. Even as I said it, I knew I was being unfair. The poor guy was already struggling seeing me in so much pain. I'd been in labor for about a billion years now. Or, as the clock on the wall perversely insisted, about four hours. Alberta had been in for a while earlier but had left, promising to return in an hour or two. Dr. Olendzki sized up the situation and suggested it might be time for another examination.
"Visualize nine or ten, doc," I joked feebly. She gloved up and did an examination. "Well?"
"Seven," she declared. And I completely lost it.
"I can't do this! I don't want to do this! It hurts! I just want it all to go away!" I was having trouble breathing and was on the verge of a panic attack.
"Rose? What about Dimitri takes a break and maybe Olena can step in for a little while?" Dr. Olendzki suggested. "She's been through this herself; she knows how you're feeling…"
I looked at Dimitri and could see he needed a break. He looked like he was about to explode he was so tense. But I also knew he wouldn't go unless I asked him to.
"Comrade? Can you get your Mama?" I moaned. "I want to speak to someone who's been through this." It wasn't a lie. I needed to hear I could do it – from someone who'd done it themselves.
"Ok milaya," he said, warily leaning forward to kiss my forehead.
"Take a break and get some food and fresh air," I instructed, giving his hand a squeeze. The second he left I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, had prepared me for just how distressed Roza would be in labor. I'd seen her injured on numerous occasions and she'd tolerated it better than most. To see her screaming wasn't something I was used to.
I walked down the corridor to the waiting area at the front. I could hear the steady click of Babushka's knitting needles before I rounded the corner. Abe spotted me first.
"Is that Rose we can hear?" he asked, looking at me wide-eyed.
I nodded still too tense to even reply.
Mama looked at me sympathetically.
"It sounds like she's struggling. What's she saying?"
"It's horrible," I groaned. "She's saying she can't do it, she doesn't want to and begging us to make it all stop."
Mama nodded to herself.
"Ok, so about seven centimeters then."
I looked at my mother in awe.
"Yes. The doctor just did an examination, and she's seven centimeters. She's asking for you," I said. "She said she wants to speak with someone who's been through this."
"And that's why men have no place in the delivery room," Babushka piped up from the corner.
"Mama!" my mother chided, although right now I could see Babushka's point.
"Wouldn't get me in there for love or money," Abe added with a shudder as we heard another holler echo down the hallway.
"I'd kill a thousand Strigoi again rather than go through what she is," I admitted, running my hands through my hair.
"Go for a walk and eat some food," Mama ordered sternly. "Don't come back for half an hour."
"It hurts!" I wailed as Olena walked through the door.
"I know sweetheart," Olena said coming in and sitting next to me on the edge of the bed. "May I?" she asked, gesturing to my stomach. I nodded. Somehow it felt perfectly natural for her to be looking after me while I was laboring. I wish I'd asked for her sooner.
"Doing well," she said soothingly, just as another contraction hit. As I was panting my way through it, I saw Olena having a few words with Dr. Olendzki.
"Baby's still high up," she said when she came back. "That's why you're dilating slowly. We want to try to get baby moving down a little bit. When baby's head presses against the cervix, it helps it dilate more quickly. We'll start by getting you to walk around a little bit."
She helped me from the bed, and we walked around the room. As soon as I was up, the pain changed. Before it was all in my lower back, but now it was radiating through to my front.
"It hurts different," I said warily, not sure if this was a good or a bad thing.
"More around the front?" Olena asked.
"Yeah. It's like it hurts the same but instead of all being in my lower back, now it's spread across my lower tummy, too."
"That's what we want," Olena said encouragingly. "Now I'm going to put the yoga mat on the floor, I want you to get on your hands and knees, and for the next few contractions we'll focus on tilting your hips back and forth."
A couple of minutes later I was watching as my mother-in-law demonstrated how she wanted me to move.
"You might find it helps with the pain, too," she advised.
For the next five contractions, I tilted as instructed.
"Oh my God! I can breathe again!" I said after the last one, looking up at Olena in wonder.
She gave me a knowing smile.
"Ok, let's get you back on your feet."
I was standing when Dimitri returned, looking a little tense but resolute.
"How are you going, milaya?" he asked cautiously.
"Better, I think," I replied as Olena carefully felt my stomach.
"Have the feelings changed?" she checked.
"I feel more pressure lower, and it's easier to breathe."
"Baby's moved down," she said giving Dr. Olendzki a pleased smile which the other woman returned. "This should help move things along. Rose – how does a nice warm shower sound now?"
"It sounds good," I moaned, wanting one immediately.
"Dimka – go change into your swimwear and then come help Rose in the shower. I want you to support her under her arms and help her rock her from side to side through the contractions like this. The water should be warm but not too hot. Try for half an hour but call out if anything changes."
Glad to have something to do, and reassured by his mother's presence, my Russian God went into the bathroom and emerged a minute later wearing his swimming trunks. He was bare-chested, and even in the throws of labor I could appreciate he was a breathtakingly handsome man.
"Let's go," he said devotedly, supporting me as I walked into the bathroom attached to the room.
Inside the bathroom I discarded Dimitri's large shirt, stepping under the warm spray with my love.
"Do you remember the first time we showered together?" Dimitri asked me, cuddling his arms around me from behind the way his mother had demonstrated.
"Yep. It was just after you probably did this to me," I said, but it was with a loving tone of voice this time.
"I kind of thought this probably happened at the mineral spa," he mused. "We were together a lot those five days, and every time was special. But we were so relaxed there…"
I smiled. It had been blissful. We talked and swayed through the contractions. They were hurting, oh boy were they hurting, but it felt more productive now. I was so much more relaxed with Olena there. Same with Dimitri.
"Do you mind if your Mama stays for the delivery if she wants? It's just reassuring having her here," I confessed, looking at him carefully.
He gave me an adoring smile.
"Whatever you want, milaya. I'm sure she'd love to stay. She was there when Paul, Zoya, and Katya were born; I'm certain she'd like to be here for our little one too."
After thirty minutes, Dimitri turned the shower off, and I toweled down, donning his shirt that was basically a dress on me. Dimitri stripped from his swim wear into shorts, putting a shirt back on. We opened the door and were shuffling out when I felt warm water running down my leg.
"Comrade! I think I peed myself," I gasped.
Olena put a sanitary pad into my hand.
"Hold that between your legs. It might be urine, but it might be your waters breaking."
"It doesn't feel enough to be that?"
"It might be your forewaters. If the baby is in place, there's only a little bit of fluid between baby's head and your cervix. The rest is around baby's body, and the head is acting a bit like a plug. Check the pad – does it smell like pee?" Dr. Olendzki asked.
I took a look and had a quick smell.
"No. It's pinkish and smells sweet."
"That's your waters breaking. We're right on track now," she encouraged.
Dimitri gave me a glorious smile. "It's all happening!"
I didn't want to return to the bed, so for the next half an hour Dimitri supported me as I walked around the room. The contractions were coming closer and faster now, and I was starting to get a little shaky.
"Let's get you up on the bed for another examination," Dr. Olendzki suggested. It was hard getting onto the bed as is it felt like I was experiencing one continuous contraction, but we managed it. Olena was on one side holding my hand, Dimitri on the other. They were both watching me when Dr. Olendzki announced, "Rose, Dimitri – I can tell you your baby has dark hair! Rose, you're fully dilated – you can push whenever you get the urge."
"I'm not ready for this," I wailed.
"You are, and you're almost there," Olena promised. "Do you know how you want to birth?"
"No?" I asked starting to panic.
"Just go with whatever feels comfortable. You can birth on the bed, or standing up, or sitting or squatting. Just go with what feels natural for you," Dr. Olendzki suggested. I thought about it. Squatting seemed to make the most sense to me.
"I might try squatting?" I gasped tentatively. The contractions were on top of one another now.
"Let's give that a try," Olena suggested brightly. "Dimitri, get that chair and sit on it with your legs open. Rose squat between Dimitri's legs. You can rest an arm over each of his legs to help support yourself."
Dr. Olendzki helped me into position while Olena spread clean towels on the yoga mat beneath me. As soon as I squatted, I could feel the pressure change. It was surprisingly comfortable.
"When you feel the urge on a contraction push," the doctor told me.
"Try not to short sharp push. Imagine a coffee plunger and push the way you'd push one of those down. Ease into it but intensify as you push," Olena suggested.
"That's a good way of describing it," I heard the doctor murmur to Olena.
A contraction started, and I pushed. It hurt, but it felt like my body knew what to do. I felt sorry for the doctor kneeling on the floor beside me, but I could feel everything shift downwards.
"That's it you're doing great!" Dimitri enthused, kissing the side of my hair.
"Bite me!" I growled caustically in between moans. I heard his chuckle and knew he still loved me. I pushed as described through the next few contractions, and I could see Dr. Olendzki and a nurse getting things ready, Olena stepping to the side but talking to me supportively.
"In a push or two, your baby is going to crown, Rose. It will hurt, but after that, the pain will be almost gone. As soon as baby has crowned, I will pop this cushion under your bottom, and you can sit but lean back on your hands. The doctor will finish delivering the baby. Dimka, once she's sitting, you can move the chair away and sit behind her on the floor if you both want."
I was nodding as I felt the next contraction start.
"Baby's almost crowning Rose!" Dr. Olendzki said with a huge smile. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Ok, relax. One big more push and baby will be crowning. Ready?! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Stop pushing! Short, sharp breaths!"
I let out a roar; not of pain but power. I could do this! I was doing this! I felt the baby's head crown, and then Olena slid a hard vinyl covered foam cushion under me. I sat down leaning backward as Dr. Olendzki rotated the baby between my thighs.
"One more push, just a little one, and your baby will be born!"
So I pushed - and with a rush of fluid, our baby was there! I tried to look, but Dr. Olendzki had the baby in a warm blanket and was suctioning baby's mouth. Then we heard a loud, healthy cry and she passed me our bundled baby.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Dimitri laughed, also trying to see.
"Find out for yourself," Olena laughed. Cuddling me from behind, his head beside mine resting on my shoulder, Dimitri watched as I unwrapped the blanket to share our first look at our son.
"Welcome to the world, baby boy," I said completely in awe. "I'm your Mama!"
His eyes were open, and he looked a little confused, but he seemed to know my voice. I lifted my top and brought him straight to my breast, cradling him across my body.
"Mama? Can you take some photos?" Dimitri asked.
"Of course," Olena said through teary eyes, grabbing the camera and taking picture after picture as Dimitri and I crooned and grinned at our baby as he nuzzled at my breast.
We sat on the floor for a few minutes before Dr. Olendzki suggested Dimitri lift me up onto the bed so I could deliver the placenta there. Olena adjusted the bed into a comfortable reclining position, and Dimitri lifted the baby and I like we were the most precious people in the world. Dimitri was allowed to cut the cord, and then our son was taken to be measured and weighed while I got a shot in the leg to help me expel the placenta. I'd read it could be painful but I must have got lucky, because other than a few achy pains, delivering the afterbirth didn't really hurt at all. I stripped my shirt off, and Olena draped a blanket around me ready for when the nurse returned with our boy swaddled in a blanket.
"Twenty-two and a half inches and just over nine pounds milaya," Dimitri reported proudly, gazing at the two of us. "Mama took lots of photos of him being measured and weighed!"
"Have you held him yet?" I asked.
My Russian God shook his head nervously.
"Get your shirt off then," I said. "He needs skin to skin."
Dimitri shucked his shirt off in seconds, tossing it over the arm of the chair and grabbing a warm blanket to drape over himself and our baby. The nurse handed him to Dimitri who looked like he was falling in love all over again. I'd only ever seen him give such a look of adoration and devotion to me, but I didn't mind sharing it with our son.
"Dimitri? Rose? I'm filling out the paperwork, have you decided on a name?" Dr. Olendzki asked.
Dimitri gave me a questioning look.
"You're still happy with our first choice?"
"Yep," I said with a grin.
"Dr. Olendzki, Mama? Can I present our son, Ivan Dimitrievich Belikov."