Chapter 298 – Labor
Faith set about getting things ready that Carson had asked for. She was going to pull the instruments and have them at the ready in case Carson needed them. She was so glad that she was right about him, because otherwise she wasn't sure what she would have done at the moment. Carson reached the doorway and took a deep breath before he went in. He hadn't touched a patient in two years and now he had one of the most beloved people in town who needed him. Carson was scared he was going to mess up again and Jack would arrest him. Carson smiled as he approached Jack and Elizabeth.
"Faith will be back in a moment." Carson said. "Now, I need to talk to you. I am going to assume that this is a first baby for you. Have you had any problems during the pregnancy?"
"Yes, our first." Elizabeth said. "No problems, really. I had morning sickness really bad for a time. Just yesterday, Faith said everything was fine. She said the baby was up high and hadn't dropped. Yet, I felt lots of pressure all day, especially when I was walking into town. I was concerned because I had gotten really big all of a sudden, but she said the baby was probably laying funny and not to worry."
"Okay." Carson said. "I am going to take a listen and then I am going to see how that baby is laying."
Carson picked up the stethoscope and placed it on Elizabeth's stomach. He easily found a heartbeat. It was good and strong. He then moved the stethoscope around and found another heartbeat. It wasn't as strong as the first, but was definitely a second heartbeat. He then listened to Elizabeth's heart just to make sure that it wasn't hers causing an echo. Once he did that, he knew that it was twins. He set the stethoscope down on the table and started pushing on Elizabeth's stomach and saw her wince.
"Tender?" Carson asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "That was where I was having a sharp pain earlier."
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have left you alone."
"Jack." Carson said. "Remember to be calm. What matters is that she is here now."
"Sorry." Jack said.
"Have you been having contractions?" Carson asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But they didn't last that long and didn't seem to be regular. Again, Faith said that was normal at this point."
"And she is correct." Carson said. "Now how long have you been feeling pains? I want an honest answer, I promise I won't let Jack get mad."
"Since last night." Elizabeth said. "But they weren't regular or anything."
"It's okay." Carson said. When last night?"
Elizabeth blushed.
"It is okay." Carson said. "I don't mean to embarrass you, but I need as much information as possible."
"Shortly after Jack and I were together last night." Elizabeth said. "I was up on and off all night with irregular pains."
"Elizabeth." Jack said.
"Jack." Carson said.
"I didn't want to wake you." Elizabeth said. "They weren't regular nor were they strong."
"Thank you." Carson said. "Elizabeth, I need to know when you have a contraction, so we can time them."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Carson continued to feel Elizabeth's stomach. He clearly could feel one baby laying across her stomach under her ribs and a smaller baby that was head down.
"Elizabeth." Carson said. "I need to check and see how far you are dilated. If you feel more comfortable, I can get Faith to do it."
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "Like Jack said, Faith trusts you, so we do. Can Jack stay?"
"Of course." Carson said.
Carson grabbed a glove and checked Elizabeth. He could definitely feel the baby's head and also that she was close to six centimeters dilated. He removed his hand and then removed his glove.
"Looks good." Carson said. "I will be right back. If you have a contraction, let Jack know. Jack, mark the time it started and how long it lasts."
"Got it." Jack said.
Carson walked back into the other room. He looked at Faith and shook his head.
"Was I right?" Faith asked.
"Yes." Carson said. "She is definitely in labor and it is definitely twins. The baby that is head down, feels a lot smaller and the heartbeat is not as strong. It could have easily been missed or mistaken for an echo. She is about six centimeters dilated and I can feel the baby's head pushing on the cervix. That baby is coming. I am also concerned because the other baby is in the wrong position. We may have to turn it. Did you get everything?"
"Yes." Faith said. "I also got the surgical instruments ready just in case."
"Let's go talk to them and tell them what is going on." Carson said. "Then I need to run to my place for a few minutes."
"No problem." Faith said. "I will stay here, I just live upstairs. If it starts to drag on, you are welcome to crash on my couch."
"Thank you." Carson said. "I have been up since five this morning. I may catch a quick nap."
"Can I ask you a question?" Faith said.
"Sure." Carson said. "I don't know if I can answer or not."
"Did you love being a doctor?" Faith asked. "Think about it. Because if you did, maybe you could be again. We could really use a full-time doctor."
"You don't understand." Carson said.
"Think about it." Faith said. "We will have time to talk."
"Fine." Carson said.
Carson and Faith walked back into the other room. Carson took a seat next to the bed. Faith set the stuff that she had carried in on the table at the foot of the bed and then stood there ready to help.
"Elizabeth." Carson said. "You are definitely in labor. When I checked you, you were about six centimeters dilated and I could feel a little head pushing on the cervix."
Elizabeth started crying.
"It will be okay Bella." Jack said.
"No it won't." Elizabeth cried. "It is too early."
"Elizabeth." Faith said.
Elizabeth turned her head to look at Faith who had taken a seat on the bed next to Carson.
"Elizabeth." Faith said. "You said you trusted me. Now, it may be a little early, but Carson and I are going to do everything that we can to save you and your babies. I can't promise you anything, but we are going to do our best."
"Wait." Jack said. "Did you say 'babies'?"
Elizabeth's face blanched. She couldn't believe that Jack's teasing had been correct.
"Yes." Carson said. "There are two heartbeats. One baby is up here (indicating the top of Elizabeth's stomach) and appears to be laying across. The other baby is head down. Now the other baby feels a lot smaller, but we won't know until they arrive. Like Faith said, we will do everything that we can. Now, Faith is going to stay here. I need to run back to my place, but I won't be gone long. Continue to track the contractions. Also try to get some rest. It sounds like it is going to be a long night."
With that Carson stood up. Jack gave Elizabeth a kiss and followed Carson.
"Carson." Jack said. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." Carson said.
"Just please save Elizabeth." Jack said. "I can't live without her."
"I will do everything I can." Carson said. "I have a question for you."
"Yeah." Jack said.
"Do you have diapers, bottles and those things ready?" Carson asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Not sure about bottles, but I know that Elizabeth has diapers, clothes and stuff. Why did you ask about bottles?"
"Lots of times with twins." Carson said. "You need to supplement feeding with bottles and formula. I will wire Union City hospital and have some sent."
"Hopefully, you can get it on the train." Jack said. "Then tell them to dispatch a rider tonight from Buxton by order of Corporal Thornton, Royal Northwest Mounted Police for delivery to the infirmary in Hope Valley. Wire Buxton Mounties, they can send the rider. It will at least give them a heads up. Also remind Ned that if he breathes a word of anything to anyone, I will lock him up myself. He knows better, but likes to gossip."
"Okay." Carson said. "Go back to your wife. I will be back."
Jack went back to Elizabeth and she was in the middle of a contraction. Faith had her hand on Elizabeth's stomach and was looking at her watch. The pain on Elizabeth's face pained Jack. He wanted to take her pain away. Jack knew that it was going to get worse before it got better, but at least it would be worth it. Jack said a quick prayer that both babies and Elizabeth would survive. He was worried, but he knew that there was little that he could do but support Elizabeth and pray. When the contraction was over, Faith wrote something down and then got up and grabbed the stethoscope.
"I just want to take a quick listen." Faith said. "You are doing so good Elizabeth."
Faith listened to the heartbeats again. Jack didn't like the look on her face, but he also didn't want to worry Elizabeth. Jack knew just enough to be concerned, but not enough to do anything about right at the moment. After Faith left the room, Elizabeth turned to Jack. He hated the look on her face, and what she said would gripped his heart with fear.
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "You need to promise me that if something happens and either baby is not going to survive, you have Pastor Frank baptize them right away. I know that is not how things are usually done, but you need to promise me."
"Bella." Jack said. "Nothing is going to happen. You all are going to be fine."
"You can't promise that." Elizabeth said. "Now promise me that you will send for Pastor Frank right away."
"I won't need to." Jack said. "He is camped out on the bench outside. From what I understand he is not going anywhere, so yes, if it comes to it I will have him baptize the baby. Guess we should agree on a name then. You know we never agreed on a girl's name and have two boy's names."
"You will know when the time comes." Elizabeth said. "You will see the baby and know. I will be fine with whatever you decide if it comes to that. I doubt that I will be in a position to argue with you. The baby will need a name and I am leaving it to you."
"Please don't talk like that Bella." Jack said. "Nothing is going to happen to you."
"Oh." Elizabeth moaned.
"What?" Jack asked.
"Another contraction." Elizabeth said.
"Just breathe." Jack said.
He quickly looked at the time and then went back to helping Elizabeth breath. It was a longer contraction and when it was over, Jack looked around and saw the clipboard. He grabbed it and saw Faith had written the time and length of the last couple of contractions, so he did the same. He then looked at the times again.
"Faith." Jack called.
"Yes." Faith said coming to the door.
"I just wrote down Elizabeth's contraction." Jack said. "It was closer together and longer than what you have marked down."
"Elizabeth." Faith said. "The last contraction that Jack timed. Was it the same or worse than the one before it?"
"Worse." Elizabeth said.
"How much worse?"
"I don't know." Elizabeth cried.
"Okay if you had to grade them." Faith said. "An A being the worst pain and F no pain. So the higher the grade, the higher the pain. What were the last two?"
"C and then a B minus." Elizabeth said after a moment
"Okay." Faith said. "Please keep that scale in mind. I may ask you again. I am going to give you a little bit before I check you again. I am just going to be in the other room. Jack will continue to sit and time your contractions. Need anything else?"
"Can I have some water?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Faith said. "Just small sips though."
"Okay." Jack said. "I got it."
It continued like that for the next half hour while Carson was gone. Elizabeth's contractions got closer and stronger. Faith was hoping that Carson got back soon. She needed his help. Faith decided that she couldn't wait any longer, she needed to check Elizabeth. When she went in the other room, she could see that Elizabeth was having another contraction, but she was holding her breath.
"Elizabeth." Faith said. "You need to breathe or you are going to pass out."
Elizabeth took a couple deep breaths and as Faith got closer, she could see tears in Elizabeth's eyes.
"Soon as that contraction is over, I will check you." Faith said.
She sat on the bed and held Elizabeth's hand and waited until the contraction was over. When it was, she checked her. Faith was surprised to find that Elizabeth was almost ten centimeters, fully dilated. She knew that the baby was coming and coming fast.
"I will be right back." Faith said.