Read Online Maternal Harbor by Marie F. Martin - Free Book Online Page B

out of the hospital.
    Throughout the afternoon, Erica’s contractions strengthened until they progressed into an unrelenting pattern.  She withstood the accelerating agony until it tore at her pelvic bones.  Gritting her teeth, she drove herself to the hospital in the Mercedes, hoping the cushy seat would relieve the pain in her back.  And she didn’t want to chance being seen in the Blazer yet.  Stop it!  Why are you so secretive?
    Because you always hide your treasures , makes them totally yours– yours–yours.
    Erica listened to the tranquil voice in her mind and grew calm.  The labor pain in her back eased.  Even as the cramp subsided, she wanted another to start.  They would bring forth the son.  A thrill chased through her.
    Home with Derek. 
    Carrying her overnight bag, she entered the birthing center erect and girded for battle.  Her son would be delivered safely.  She registered at admitting, was told to wait in the lobby and that a nurse would come for her soon.
    Erica eased into a padded chair and closed her eyes, wanting to stay alert and not give in to agony.  She rode the next labor pain by concentrating on the remembered sound of the mother cat, her hearing tuned into the depth of the guttural humming.  She had grown highly sensitive to sound.  Riding the birth pangs with the same degree of alertness kept her keen and highly aware of the hospital waiting room.  The odors were disgustingly sterilized, the lighting too bright, and the corners should be cleaner.
    “ Are you all right?”
    Erica opened her eyes.  “I am.”
    “I’m Florene,” said a plump black woman.
    “ Doretta’s mom.”
    “ My, it’s a small world.  I bet you’re one of those gals from the clinic.  Doretta told me you’re all friends now.  Can you walk or do we need a wheelchair?”
    “ I’m fine.”  Erica walked beside the nurse down a hall to a labor room.
    “ We’ll get you all tucked in,” Florene said and handed her a gown.  “Do you need help undressing?”
    “ No.”  Erica gritted her teeth at the sweetness.  She was here for one reason only – to birth a son.  She didn’t want niceties, or to be expected to give them.  And, at this minute, she wanted privacy to disrobe.
    “ I’ll leave you then.  Be sure to empty your bladder before getting into bed.”  Florene hurried to the door.
    Another contraction tightened around Erica’s middle.  She bent double and exhaled until she hung over her belly like a rag doll, waiting for the torment to pass.  The cramp lasted longer than the last one, but finally eased.  She undressed and put on the gown.  Her water broke when she used the toilet.  “Not long now,” she whispered to her unborn son and sunk her fingers deep into her flesh.  She pressed, trying to identify his body under her skin.  All she felt was a hard mound.
    Holding the back of the gown shut, she forced herself to stand erect and walk to the bed, concentrating on each sound that carried into the room.  Footfalls, wheels of a cart, a baby cried somewhere.
    The nurse briskly reentered.  “Not tucked in yet?  Here, I’ll help you.”
    Ignoring Florene’s outstretched hand, Erica curled into a ball in the bed with her back to the nurse.
    “ I’m sorry, but I need to examine you.”
    Erica groaned, but rolled onto her back and pulled the gown up.
    “Honey, you’ve already dilated to five centimeters.  I better start your IV and attach the fetal heart monitor.  That way we can to listen to your baby’s heartbeat, see how he’s handling the stress of labor.”
    Florene strapped a wide belt with an ultrasound transducer around Erica’s abdomen and attached the cord to a machine.  Frowning, she checked to see if the monitor was plugged in.  She jiggled the cord, undid the belt, and fiddled with the transducer.  She re-tightened the belt and re-attached the cord.
    Erica watched intently.  “What’s wrong?”
    “ The monitor must be on the fritz.  I’ll