Rab Rakha

Chapter 70

Shehnaaz had been glowing throughout her pregnancy, embracing each milestone with joy and anticipation. The nursery was painted, the baby clothes neatly folded, and their home was filled with love and laughter. As her due date approached, excitement mingled with anxiety. Sidharth was equally thrilled yet concerned, always attentive to her needs.

The day of delivery finally arrived. It started like any other day, but as the hours progressed, she felt the familiar pangs of labor. She had been warned that labor could be long and arduous, but she held onto the hope of a smooth delivery. He was always by her side, helped her breathe through the contractions, providing encouragement.

"Sab theek hoga, baby." he whispered, squeezing her hand.

As the hours ticked by, the atmosphere shifted. What began as manageable contractions intensified, and soon she found herself in the throes of labor. Each wave felt more powerful than the last. The hospital room was filled with the sounds of machines beeping and nurses bustling about, but for her, it felt like she was in her own world, focused solely on the task at hand.

He was a rock, holding her hand and whispering words of love. However, the mounting tension was palpable. She could see the worry in his eyes as the minutes dragged into hours. After what felt like an eternity, the doctor checked her progress and informed them she was nearly ready to push. Relief washed over her, but that relief was short-lived.

As she prepared to push, a sudden complication arose. The monitor began to beep erratically, indicating that the baby’s heart rate had dropped. The nurse’s demeanor shifted, her face a mask of professionalism but with an undertone of urgency. She felt her heart race, she could sense the change in the room’s energy.

"Doctor, kya hua?" she gasped, fear creeping into her voice.

"Sab kuch thik hai, Shehnaaz. Hum dekh rahe hai." the doctor assured her, though her expression was serious. His grip tightened around her hand.

"Main yahan hu, tu zyada mat soch." he said, his voice steady yet laced with concern. Madhu clutched Rita ma’s arm, both women exchanging anxious glances.

As the medical team worked swiftly, the atmosphere in the room became charged with tension. The doctor ordered her to shift positions, trying to relieve any pressure on the umbilical cord. Nurses moved with precision, adjusting the monitors and checking vital signs. With every passing moment, she felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.

"Just a little longer." the doctor urged.

"Aapko push karna hai jab time aaye. Aap sabse strong ho."

Time seemed to stretch as they navigated the complications. He kept his eyes on her, his love unwavering, but the worry etched on his face was impossible to ignore. Madhu and Rita stood right outside the patient's room, their anxiety palpable yet trying to remain strong for their daughters.

After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the baby’s heart rate began to stabilize. A collective sigh of relief filled the room, but the doctor’s expression remained serious. "Hum abhi bhi closely monitor kar rahe hain. Caution zaroori hai."

Shehnaaz felt a surge of determination. She was going to bring her baby into the world, no matter what. The doctor encouraged her to begin pushing, and with every contraction, she summoned every ounce of strength she had.

“Come on, love! Tu kar sakti hai meri jaan!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the haze of pain and exhaustion.

As the pushing continued, another complication arose. The doctor noticed that the baby was in a transverse position.

"Agar baby position nahi badalta, toh humein episiotomy karna padega," she stated, her tone remaining professional yet laced with urgency.

"Wo- wo kya hota hai?" Shehnaaz felt her heart drop again, fear gripping her once more.