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Giving birth was like learning how to drive. You wanted to have a good idea of what was happening, how it all works. You take Lamaze classes to prepare and when you and your partner are doctors, you get an idea of what I'd going to happen.
And you really, really want to be in a hospital.
The pains had started early in the morning.
Heather woke, listening to the rain pattering against the window. Another day of rain. There was a storm over the entire East coast and Pittsburgh was being battered with wind, rain and hailstones. Gusting wind lashing constantly drove rain against the windows; lightning crackling across the sky with alarming regularity, followed by thunder.
Storms were oddly soothing to Heather, but the baby was really active, and maybe a storm got her excited.
Heather sat up, back against the pile of pillows that helped her be as comfortable as one could be. She had put on an oversized striped pyjama shirt last night, preferring anything oversized at this point in her pregnancy. Half of Robby's hoodies and sweaters had made their way to her side of the wardrobe.
Next to her, Robby had been sound asleep. He'd been called in last night, after a pile-up caused by the weather and he had come back, safe and sound, at three in the morning. At 38 weeks pregnant, everything was a cause for concern. She could turn her head the wrong way, and he thought she was in labour.
Whilst checking her phone, Heather felt Robby stir next to her, sliding his hand to her stomach as he did most mornings, “Morning. You okay?” He asked, his voice rough with sleep.
“Yeah, she's just kicking really hard, that's all.” She assured him. Robby leaned up, pressing his lips to the belly.
“Hey, let your mama rest.” Robby whispered to her stomach, pressing a kiss there. Heather gently ran a hand through Robby's messy hair, "How was yesterday?"
"Still pregnant." Heather stated, "What about you? Was it bad?"
He leaned up, resting his head on his fist, “Insane. Fifty six in total - three deaths.” Robby listed, “I did two splenectomies. I shouldn't need to go in. Dickson and Abbot are there.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
Heather smiled, "Good." She said.
Robby hopped out of bed first, stopping her, "Ah, ah, ah. I'm making breakfast. Take a long nice bath." He ordered, "What would you like? Eggs, turkey bacon, hash browns, toast - the works?"
Heather smiled tiredly, "Oh, you love talking dirty to me."
The twinges and cramps continued as Heather bathed and got dressed, in a sports bra and leggings, throwing on one of Robby's striped button up shirts.
Robby made her sit down as she devoured her breakfast. He noticed her shift uncomfortably, "You okay, baby?" He asked, concerned.
"Braxton Hicks." Heather sighed, rubbing her back. Robby took over, gently massaging her lower back. Heather groaned softly, pleased.
Robby hummed, "How can I help?" He asked. He knew with Braxton Hicks, you could only just bear it until the actual labour started.
"Just this." Heather said, leaning back against him. He pressed a long kiss to the top of her head.
Robby had some work to do in his office but he did his checks of helping Heather sit in the living room, her books, water bottles, snack basket and massage balls were all in reach. He moved the pouffe footstool to keep her legs elevated.
It was late afternoon when the contractions became really painful but they tapered off so that Heather could take a nap, pastry week of The Great British Bake Off playing in the background.
Heather woke up, checking her phone - it was after five pm. She sipped some water and stood up, suddenly feeling a sudden gush in her pants. That was not her peeing herself.
"Ooh, okay." Heather took a deep breath in and out, rubbing her stomach.
She slowly made her way to the office down the hall from the living room and was glad to see Robby marking fellowship essays. He heard her, and looked up.
"Hey, so don't freak out. My water broke." Heather told him and his eyes widened, standing up, "Don't freak out."
"I'm not freaked out, are you freaked out?" Robby said. He looked outside at the window. The storm was still raging. He cursed quietly, running a hand through his hair.
"No, because I'm not in labour." Heather stated.
Robby paused, confused. "Honey, your water has broken." He said slowly, "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Heather insisted, inhaling, "The roads are blocked, there is a biblical storm out there but I am fine. I'll hold it."
Robby nodded. He knew that she was trying to regain some sort of control in a less-than-ideal situation. This was not the birth plan at all. She was to give birth at West Penn, in a sterile hospital room with midwives and their obstetrician.
"You can't hold it." Robby reminded her, leading her back to the living room. Maybe those Braxton Hicks cramps hadn't quite been false labour.
Heather bit her lip as another contraction hit her, and she moaned in pain, "I am not in labour," She insisted.
“I am afraid you are.” Robby said, leading her back to the living room, "So we are going to sit here and I'm gonna make a few calls, okay?" He was calm, had to be calm for the both of them.
“I'm giving birth in the hospital.” Heather insisted. She had a birth plan that involved drugs. She gritted her teeth and held Robby's hand as another contraction passed. He coached her through it, looking at his watch to time them.
“Plans change.” He said shortly, putting his phone on speaker, “This is Dr Michael Robinavitch. Can you put me through to Dr Watts in OB?”
“Robby?” Dr Watts' voice came through the phone, "Is Heather alright?"
“Yeah, the labour has started. Water broke and contractions are two minutes apart.” He detailed, as he helped pull off Heather's leggings, “Baby feels like they're in the right position."
"Okay." She replied soothingly, "Heather, how are you doing?"
"Oh, just great." Heather snapped, "Get me to a hospital."
“I know. The storm will make it harder, but we'll get a unit out to you. For now, just prepare yourselves.” Watts replied, "I'm hoping that you still have all that medical equipment you told me to keep at home?"
Robby chuckled, grabbed his medical bag, which he used for street clinics. Gloves, antiseptic, warm compresses. He filled up a kettle with water and heated it on the stove, ready to sterilise anything.
In the living room, Heather took numerous deep breaths, her heart thumping as she heard thunder rumble outside. She was trying not to panic, listening to Dr Watt's coach her though the breathing.
"You know," Heather interrupted her, "I finally get why pregnant patients snap at their doctors because id you tell me to breathe one more time..."
The doctor chuckled, "I know, I know." She assured. Robby returned with towels and blankets, setting the stack beside her on the couch, "Okay, Robby, can you check?"
Robby snapped on a pair of gloves and throw a towel over Heather's legs as he checked how dilated she was. It was about eight centimetres, fully effaced.
Heather glared at him, "Please tell me-"
"The baby is coming soon." Robby told her, then to the phone, "Let me know when you can get EMT and transport over."
For the next few hours, Heather gritted her teeth as another contraction wracked her body. When she needed to stand, he helped her walk around the couch. She leaned towards him while swaying side to side to let gravity help move the baby down. When the contractions hurt the most, she cursed him, God and then Robby again.
She ended up kneeling in front of the couch, head on the sofa, as Robby rubbed her back, soothing her.
“Okay, you need to push with this next one.” Robby ordered.
“I hate you.” Heather whimpered.
“I know.” Robby replied, amused, “Push, baby." She let out a loud groan with one big push and he could see the head.
He could see the head and smiled, “Okay, little pushes, Heather. You're doing so well.”
For fifteen minutes, she pushed and moaned, as Robby encouraged her. Then she gave a big push, screaming.
The baby came with a wail and Robby caught her, easing her out with the towel.
Heather gasped, the wails music to her ears. She turned around and slumped against the couch. Robby had wrapped the baby in a blue hand towel and placed her against her chest.
“Here she is.” He grinned.
The baby wailed and coughed. Robby let out a laugh of disbelief. Heather gasped, holding her tight, looking at her in wonderment. A little baby girl who they had seen in scans only was now here. The baby who had been moving around inside of her was right here. She had the cutest little nose, and hands and feet. She light brown skin and small tuft of dark curls, her eyes wide and brown as she blinked up at Heather.
"We have a daughter." Heather whispered. Her baby. The little girl she had wanted for so long was here.
Robby cut the cord, using the sterilised scissors, and clamps. Heather gently bounced her when she let out a little cry but they were lucky when there was a knock on the door. The EMTs were here.
Heather laughed and Robby grinned, "They missed the party.
They arrived at the hospital - West Penn's maternity ward after two in the morning. It was confirmed that mother and baby were healthy but were to stay in the hospital for observation.
Heather sat in the hospital bed with a cold compress underneath her and nursed their new daughter who was in one of the onesies they had packed in the birth bags.
Robby came into the room with cups of coffee and water, "Hey, how you feeling?" He asked.
"Watts said there was no tearing, good job." Heather said, having been examined, "Maybe you should go into OB."
Robby chuckled, "If it's in an emergency room, sure." He said.
Heather indicated with her head that he should come sit on the bed with her and he did, wrapping an arm around her.
“You know I don't hate you.” She said.
Robby laughed. He didn't think she would even remember saying half the stuff she yelled at him during labour. “Oh, I know.” He assured, stroking her cheek.
“I really, really love you.” Heather sighed. Robby kissed her on the forehead and kissed her on the lips, his eyes full of adoration.
“I love you more.” Robby said, eyes shining. He looked at the baby, smiling, “I love her. God, she's so beautiful. Didn't think I'd deliver my own baby.”
"I really wanted those drugs." Heather chuckled. God, it was painful, and she was having serious thoughts about whether to do that again but she wouldn't trade any of this for the world.
The baby made a small noise, gurgling and they both looked down at her. Robby traced her little nose with his pinky, muttering a small prayer in Hebrew. He didn't go to Temple much these days, hell, in years but she was the most perfect thing he had seen.
“How'd we make something so perfect?” Robby whispered, shaking his head in disbelief.
“No idea.” Heather whispered, and smiled at him, “Thank you.”
“What for?”
Heather grinned, “For being here. Always.”
“You were the badass.” Robby replied, kissing the side of her head, "Great team effort. We're a family." Heather smiled at that, pressing her forehead against his.