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Discarding her coat and shoes, she came and hung over the side of the bath with her head resting on her forearms.
“Wow, you’re naked,” she observed. “It’s really coming?” she asked Harper excitedly.
“Yeah, Baby, it is.” Harper sounded tired this time, and I noted she had become more restless since Layla had come home. At first, I wondered if it was because she was naked, and Layla was checking her out, but something inside me sensed Harper’s situation was changing.
“Can I get in?” Layla asked, after Karen had used a handheld monitor wrapped in a waterproof glove to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. She’d been doing this regularly throughout Harper’s labor. “Sounds good,” she reported and jotted it in Harper’s notes.
“Yeah–No,” both Harper and I said simultaneously.
“Yes, you can get in for a few minutes, but you have to promise to get out as soon as Karen or Natasha tell you to because the baby will be coming.” I was stunned by Harper’s cool head; she was unbelievable.
Layla peeled down to her panties and climbed in the water. “It’s nice and warm,” she commented, as she settled at the side of my leg and leaned over carefully to kiss first Harper’s cheek then mine. Her sense of occasion was spot on when she slipped one of her hands into Harper’s and covered the one of mine nearest to her that I was using to support Harper.
A few contractions later I’d noticed Harper was shifting about more and had begun to make some grunting noises at the height of her contractions. I’d forgotten all about calling the doctor. It all felt how it was meant to be.
“Harper, you’re doing incredibly well. Remember the longer you can resist pushing; the less work there will be to deliver. Babies know their way out, and as long as it isn’t distressed, we allow things to happen naturally,” Karen instructed her calmly.
Turning to address Layla, she smiled. “Layla, Honey, I think it may be time for you to get out for a bit. I don’t think the baby is going to be long before it arrives now.” I expected a protest because of how protective Layla had been since she’d found out Harper was pregnant, but she stood up and allowed Karen to help her out.
“Should I get dressed?” she asked.
“If you want to,” Natasha replied, and Layla went and grabbed a bath sheet, wrapping it round herself, then came to settle by my head. Ignoring the fact, she was wet.
“I may miss something,” Layla mused, and I smiled at her. She was so astute.
The two midwives began to open packets and prepare an area for the baby. As soon as I saw suction tubes, I almost allowed my fears to return, but Karen had obviously been keeping an eye on me.
“It’s fine, Cole. This tube is just if there is any mucus in the baby’s airway, so we can clear it out. It’s a perfectly normal precaution,” she informed me, right as Harper could no longer resist pushing and moved her arms under her legs, grabbing her thighs.
“Ah,” Harper called out and hissed. “It burns,” she gasped in pain. Karen snapped on some rubber gloves and dipped her hand in the water between Harper’s legs.
“Good girl,” she told Harper, “your baby’s head is right there. That burn you feel is your perineum stretching. If you can, when you get the next breath, try to give me some short pants instead of pushing. The baby’s head will crown in the next couple of contractions. You’ve got this far, and it’s nearly over. Keep listening and this will be a beautiful calm birth.”
Another contraction came, and I automatically began to coach. “Short breaths, Sweetheart’, you’re doing fantastic. I love you so much,” I babbled, almost beside myself, because I was on the verge of panicking. Layla stayed silent, resting her chin on her forearms, watching.
The contraction ebbed, and Karen checked the baby’s heartbeat and felt in the water for the baby’s head again. “Wow, it’s crowned, the baby’s head won’t slide back now, Harper, good job. The head will be born in the next contraction, keep panting if you can,” she added.
Once again, Harper did as she was asked, and the baby’s head was out in less than a minute. Peering over her shoulder, I could see a mound of black hair in the water, but I couldn’t make out much else. I glanced at Layla who was now standing on tiptoe, craning her neck for a better view, and taking it all in her stride.
I became distracted again by Harper when she began shaking violently.
“What’s happening?” I asked, unable to keep the panic from my voice.
“Stay calm, Cole. It’s nothing to worry about. This is the effect of the physical effort to stay in control. Next contraction your baby will be born, Harper.”
No sooner were the words out than Karen dragged our limp baby, soaking wet, from between Harper’s legs and laid it on her chest. Harper’s hands immediately cradled its back and I stared, concerned when it lay still for more than a few heartbeats, then it caught a breath and opened its eyes.
I groaned loudly with relief. “Oh, it almost gave me heart failure there,” I admitted.
“You’re so dramatic,” Harper chuckled.
Karen leaned over and lifted one of the baby’s legs, “What do we have, Mom?” she probed.
I looked when she was directing Harper, but heard Harper say, “It’s a boy,” before my eyes confirmed that it was.
Layla squealed with delight, then her face fell serious. “We can’t let him play with Jaden, Harper, he’ll teach him to pee on the plants,” she replied, like it was the most important advice Harper would ever receive.
Turning to look up at Harper’s flushed face, her bright eyes stole my breath. Flashing me a beautiful smile she said, “I’m so proud of you.” Her comment sounded as if I was the one who had pushed a watermelon through a tight little hole.
