More than Expected

Part 32

October 1, 2013
8:00 PM
     Rick and Kate are laying together in her bed when she feels an intense cramp come over her. Her hand flies to her belly as a small whimper lets itself out, "Kate?" Rick asks as he sits up, "I think I just had a contraction." She says a minute later when the pain subsides, "Want me to go get your mom?" Rick asks and she nods. He quickly goes to get Johanna while Kate sits up and places her feet on the floor. Her mother, father, and Rick rush into her bedroom moments later.
     "Rick said you had a contraction." Johanna says. Kate bites her lip and nods as she feels her body prepare for another one. She reaches out and grabs Rick's arm. "Breath, Bug, breathe." Johanna tells her daughter as she sits next to her and rubs her back. Rick kneels in front of her and places a hand on her knee. Once the pain subsides, she stands, "I need to walk around. That's what I read." Kate says. Rick and Johanna stand, "Okay, let's go downstairs. You and Rick walk and I'll start timing your contractions." Johanna says as they make their way downstairs.
      Dr. Bells had informed them that she needs to have consistent one minute contractions coming every five minutes for two hours before checking into the hospital. Jim and Johanna stand in the middle of the living room with their phones out while Kate and Rick walk hand-in-hand in laps around the living room. Everytime a contraction hits, Kate will wrap her arms around Rick who will rub her back, press kisses to her forehead, and whisper words of encouragement in her ear. After a couple of contractions, Kate decides to bounce on her yoga ball instead of walking.

October 1, 2013
10:07 PM
     The contractions had officially lasted like Dr. Bells described. They load up the car and Johanna, Rick, and Kate head to the hospital while Jim goes to pick up Martha. When they arrive at the hospital, Kate checks in before the trio is shown back to a room, "You're going to need to put this on, Sweetie. Has your water broken?" The nurse asks, "No." Kate says. She feels a contraction start and she grabs for someone, but ends up grabbing onto the bed. Rick rushes over and offers his hand.
     After the contraction passes, Kate goes into the bathroom and puts the hospital gown on before settling into the bed, "Kate, I'm going to have you lift your gown so I can wrap this fetal monitor around you and then I'm going to place an IV into the back of your hand so that you don't get dehydrated." The nurse tells her. Kate lifts her gown while Rick adjusts the blanket to keep her modest and she gives him a smile of gratitude. The fetal monitor is wrapped around Kate's bump and the nurse then inserts the needle into Kate's hand.
     "Alright, I'm going to go call Dr. Bells and notify her that you're in here. Once she gets here she'll come in and check on you. For now, no food or drinks. Only ice chips." The nurse instructs, "Can I walk around?" Kate asks, "Let's wait for Dr. Bells to get here and check your dilation and then she'll let you know what she thinks is best." The nurse leaves the room as Kate sits in the bed with her mother and boyfriend at her side. Their baby's heartbeat fills the room while Kate reaches out for Rick's hand.
     About fifteen minutes later, Dr. Bells knocks on the door before walking in, "Hello. I hear someone's ready to have a baby." She greets the group. Kate and Rick chuckle while Johanna smiles. The doctor instructs the teenager to place her legs in the stirrups so she can check her effacement and dilation. After a few minutes, the doctor stands and removes her gloves, "Well, Kate, you're 100% effaced and 3 centimeters dilated. Since your water hasn't broken, feel free to get up and walk around. Now, I must warn you that because your water hasn't broken yet, it could take you a little while to dilate. We'll keep track and if in a few hours you're dilating slowly and water still hasn't broken, we'll break it for you." Dr. Bells says.
     The doctor leaves the room and Rick helps Kate out of bed so they can walk around the room. Johanna's phone buzzes, "Your dad and Martha are here. I'm going to go update them and then I'll be back okay, Katie?" Johanna asks and the brunette nods as she feels a contraction begin. Johanna leaves as Kate wraps her arms around Rick's neck and breathes through the pain.