It was 3:00 am when Rebecca's water broke. She was asleep when it happened.
In fear and excitement, she slowly raised herself from the bed. Her feet touched the ground, one after the other. Small trickles of the life saving fluid ran down her legs racing each other to the finish line, which unfortunately was her favorite designer rug Cockatoo, a limited edition rug by Catherine Martin.
One foot in front of the other, Rebecca managed to get her phone that was on the dresser behind the baby wipes, right next to the new pacifiers.
"Toni, I need you." she whispered.
"I'll be right there!"
As soon as she hung up, the first wave hit her.
Pain seared through her body and beads of sweat formed on her face. Her heart raced as her lungs compensated by working overtime. Before she could grasp the situation, the pain stopped,almost as immediately as it started.
She stood there wondering if she had imagined the pain or if it really happened. Oh child, take it easy. She rubbed her belly, reassuring her offspring. In her state of peace, a stronger wave hit her and she fell back in pain loosing consciousness.
Opening her eyes slowly, Rebecca felt herself being wheeled. She couldn't see very well. The light was too bright. Soft murmurs reached her ears but she couldn't make out what was being said. Lifting her head up was a big mistake. She passed out again, briefly this time.
She opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by faces in masks. She felt the pain, slowly rising and quickly reaching climax. Then she heard it, a scream that sounded unlike anything she had ever heard. But this sound was strange. It was primal, almost animal like. Then it dawned on her, she was the one screaming The midwives, realizing that their patient was awake rushed to her side.
"Ms. Rebecca, there's a complication!"
In shock, Rebecca barely managed to ask what was wrong.
"The umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck."
After delivering the news, the midwife watched as the young mother's face changed from confusion to fear. Her heart reached out to Rebecca.
This was the first time Rebecca heard the sex of her child. She wanted it to be a surprise, but she didn't imagine it would be delivered in such circumstances.
The rest of the midwives went about ensuring that baby and mother were safe. It took a gruesome three hours for Laura to be born at 9:25 am weighing 2 pounds and 6 ounces.
Rebecca passed out from exhaustion after she holding her in her arms.
