Chapter 8
Finally, one evening, the birth time came. Pam wasn't feeling well. She asked Barry, "I don't feel well- what is wrong?"
Barry answered, 'You are in the first stages of labor.'
Pam woke Ralph and told him what Barry had said.
She told Ralph, "Have Suit download everything about childbirth." Ralph had the information downloaded, and after receiving the knowledge, he started boiling water and making specialized herbal mixtures. Pam's water broke, and the contractions started getting stronger. They decided to leave Barry on during childbirth. Barry opened a slit in the suit pants from her stomach to her back. Ralph boiled several cloths to sterilize them and hung them to dry to clean Pam of blood and fluids during the birth.
Ralph had been through childbirth with his first wife and son, Kevin. Of course, he wasn't as involved then as he would be this time. Knowing what was happening and what to expect kept him calm, unlike when his first son was born. Then, as his wife was screaming during the birth, he was so nervous that he thought he would faint. He didn't faint, thank God. When he got to hold his son, Kevin, he was so happy and proud of his wife; it was one of the happiest days of his life.
Pam's cervix continued to dilate, and the crown of the baby's head appeared. Contractions continued, and Pam pushed with Barry, keeping her from pushing too hard and harming the baby. Pam yelled and breathed at the recommended rates. Finally, the head was exposed, and Ralph quickly used a small basting bulb to clean out the baby's nose and mouth. The rest of the body popped out, covered in blood and other fluids. He flicked the baby's feet, and little Ralph took his first breath and cried. He cut and tied the umbilical cord, wrapped Ralph Junior in a clean cloth, and gave him to Pam. Pam was crying when she saw her son.
Ralph washed several clothes, wet them in warm water, and cleaned the baby. As he washed his new son, he looked at the tiny fingers and toes and the little black curls on his head and started to cry, so happy that his son was there. Ralph kissed Pam and the baby on the forehead and said, "You were great; you did so well. I love you so much." As he continued to wash the baby, he inspected him for any abnormalities or problems. He couldn't find any.
Ralph returned the clean baby to Pam, and she started to moan. Ralph knew the placenta was being expelled. He went back and helped to pull it out. It looked normal from the images he had implanted in his brain from the download. Ralph cleaned Pam and told Barry he could close the pants slit.
Pam asked Barry to open a slit in the shirt so little Ralph could suckle her breast. She placed her son on her breast, and after a few unsuccessful tries, he started to suckle. Everything was great—there had been no complications, and they had a healthy baby boy. Pam fell asleep, and Ralph put the baby in a basket beside Pam. Ralph lay on a mat on the floor and fell asleep, also exhausted from the stress and excitement of the birth of his son.