“Macy mentioned he might have stopped growing,” I said, swallowing a lump of fear. “And seriously, I feel like he’s all scrunched up and trying to stretch, find more room. Lots of activity in there the past week or so.”
“What’s of biggest concern,” she said in an earnest tone, “is that all of his organs are developed, he doesn’t have breathing problems, lung complications, and the like. I don’t fear his weight from the looks of you, and preemies do very well when they’re healthy. We’ll just have to keep an eagle eye on him.”
“So you don’t think it’s too soon to have him?”
“Naturally, I prefer to hold this off at least a few more weeks. That’s not going to happen, though. Your cervix has weakened, softened. You’re rapidly dilating because of the baby’s weight on this vulnerable part of your body.”
“But I’m not having contractions. Again, just the kicking.” I grimaced as another thump backed up my statement.
She grinned. “Sometimes, when they’re ready, they’re ready.” Then in a more serious tone, she said, “Unfortunately, once the water breaks there’s a high risk of infection for you and the baby. We don’t want that.”
“Definitely not.” She scared me even more, though I could see that wasn’t her intention.
“I just want to reiterate that there could be some concerns to address after the delivery. Or things could go very well. You’re healthy and there haven’t been any complications beyond your morning sickness and dehydration, and you haven’t suffered either of those in months, so I’m not overly worried.” She gave me a confident look.
I took a few deep breaths, then asked, “So I’m having this kid now?”
“You’re having this kid now.”
chapter 8
Induced labor.
Yeah. Not what I’d expected.
I was dilated and Kid was ready to make his grand entrance into the world without any contractions, and I was good with that.
Induction shattered my bliss.
Meds were administered, sharp pains ensued, and I felt justified in screaming at the top of my lungs.
Dr. Preston and Macy demonstrated the utmost compassion. Rosa appeared mildly disappointed that my threshold for pain wasn’t higher.
“Am I giving birth to a fucking elephant?” I demanded at one point.
Rosa went into a dissertation about her twelve-pound, twenty-inch son and I nearly passed out.
Twelve pounds?
“Ari, the baby’s not that big,” Dr. Preston said, and shot Rosa a look.
Another contraction hit; I screamed and then glared at Rosa. She shook her head.
Macy, assisting Dr. Preston, told me, “The plus side of a quicker labor is that you won’t have forty-eight hours of intermittent pain. The downside is that you’ll experience forty-eight minutes of constant pain.”
And I did. So much so, it was a good thing Dane wasn’t in the room with me—or even in the same state. I turned a bit irrational, cursing all men for having the ability to do this to unsuspecting women.
No, I hadn’t been unsuspecting. But I had been on the pill. I’d just missed several doses during exhaustive Lux pre-launch planning. That was moot in my mind at the moment. At present, as far as I was concerned, I was more than entitled to blame everyone but me for the agony I was in.
Rosa held my hand—until I squeezed so tight that she cried out in pain. I almost said it served her right.
“Get Kyle,” I insisted. Not that I wanted to subject him to this, but I needed to know I wasn’t going to crush bones. Rosa was reluctant to leave but did as I asked.
Kyle popped his head around the door. “You don’t really want me in here?”
“Yes. Quick.” I reached for his hand and clutched it tight.
“Your breathing’s good, Ari,” Dr. Preston said. “We’re about to start doing some heavy pushing.”