© Twisted | gojohime

14. Twisted by moment (part 2)

Utahime glances at the clock on the wall. It has only been six minutes since she last looked at the time, twenty minutes since Gojo left. The silence and emptiness when she is alone start to kick in

No way... Does she miss Gojo already? Oh my, this is embarrassing. Her cheeks feel hot just thinking about it. Gojo will not let her live if he sees her like this

Utahime lies flat on her back and huffs. She stares blankly at the ceiling with her hands splaying over her stomach

It hasn't been long until Utahime starts to feel discomfort around her lower abdomen. At times, the pain intensifies but only comes shortly with a long interval. By the time her contraction has progressed further, Utahime has already been attended by the staff nurses

"Bring a CTG, we will monitor her pain"

"Please page Doctor Shida!"

"What happened to my wife?"

"Doctor Shida is on her way"

"CTG is here!"

There are too many voices, Utahime cannot tell who is who anymore

"Fuh~ Fuh~ Fuh~", she only focuses on breathing through her mouth

Utahime doesn't know when Gojo gets there until he holds her hand

"Utahime?", the warmth from Gojo's hand spreads through her

"Satoru..", her voice is nearly a whisper

"It's fine. They will help you", he assures, giving Utahime a stroke on her head

Doctor Shida arrives. She sanitises her hands and wears latex gloves as she orders the nurse to help connecting CTG monitor with the patient

"I see the contraction cycle has shortened", the doctor can tell solely from the wavelengths reflected on the graph. "It won't be long until you can see your baby", she smiles under her masks. "We will take a look at you"

A nurse bends her legs up and flicks the gown up, gathering the fabric above her knees

"I'm sorry, I will put my hands in you so you will feel a little uncomfortable but not painful. Tell me if it hurts"

Utahime just nods as response

When it goes in, it does feel weird just like the doctor suggested. They are trying to see how dilated she is

"2 cm dilation, 36 units of pain"

"That's quite high", the nurse exclaims

"It is", Doctor Shida agrees

"What does it supposed to mean?"

Doctor Shida pulls her mask down when she explains the situation to Gojo and Utahime

"The highest units of pain a human can endure is 45 units. Your wife is currently bearing the pain at 36 units with only 2 cm dilation. There is still a long way to go before we can deliver the baby. I'm afraid you can't withstand this much pain until 10 cm. So I suggest you take an epidural"

"Epidural?", Utahime manages to ask

"Yes, but this is only my suggestion as your MA. It's up to you and your husband"

Gojo turns to look at Utahime. "What do you think? Can you endure it?"

Gojo does see himself as cruel to have asked his wife to endure such a great pain by herself

Utahime clamps her mouth. Thankfully the contraction subsides so she can talk to Gojo for a bit

"Actually...", she sounds hesitant