These Awkward Moments

Chapter 38 Delivery

I watched Roe and Maggie carefully. He was very gentle and caring with her. Maybe Daryl was right. Maybe Maggie was the woman Roe had feelings for?

Maggie was leaning on Roe through each contraction, her arms around his neck. At the peak of each contraction her legs began to shake, and Roe would bend and help her lower herself into a squat. "I'm so tired Roe. I just... I just need ta sleep!"

In between contractions Roe pulled her forward onto his chest, and she would rest as much as possible before the next wave would wash over her. The next contraction started, and as it built Maggie raised her head in surprise. She tried to breathe through it, but took a breath and held it at the peak of her contraction as her body took over and started to bear down. There was a huge splash between Maggie's legs as her water broke. Roe's eyes jumped to mine. "Uhhh... Delilah?"

Mercy had finished nursing and nodded off. I kissed her head full of dark curls and passed her over to Daryl. I jumped up to help Roe with Maggie. I wrapped a dry blanket around her waist, then helped her out of her wet pants and underwear. I dried her with a towel, but fluid continued to trickle out of her. I placed another towel between her legs to keep her dry. Maggie was now pushing involuntarily with each contraction. "It's ok Maggie. You're almost done sweetie. Daryl, I think we're gonna need Dr. Carson."

Daryl got up and went outside. He came back in less than five minutes with Dr. Carson. The doctor checked Maggie's cervix again and confirmed what I already suspected. She was completely dilated. "Ok Maggie. It looks like your body already is telling you what to do. How about if we find a position that you think is comfortable for pushing?"

She nodded. "I like the squat that Roe was gettin' me into, but I can't stay like that between contractions... even with his help."

Roe looked around the room. There was a small dining table with four wooden chairs. He pulled one over near Maggie and sat down on it. He reached for Maggie and pulled her back towards him. "Let's try this, and if it doesn't work we can do somethin' different."

I looked at him quizzically, then nodded my head when I realized what he was doing. He was making his body into a birthing stool for Maggie. He leaned her back into his own chest, letting her head slide down under his chin. He leaned forward and wrapped his forearms under her thighs, supporting her legs in a squat.

Maggie pushed with her next contraction with Dr. Carson coaching her through it. "Well that seems to be working well progress wise Roe, but I'm not certain you'll be able to sustain that for as long as it may take for Maggie to deliver."

Roe looked at Dr. Carson with determination in his eyes. "You just focus on getting this baby delivered Doc, and we'll take care a the rest."

Maggie leaned her head back against his chest in between contractions. "This position feels pretty good Roe, but are you sure?"

Roe nodded and as her next contraction started he lowered his head to her ear and whispered words of encouragement. I sat at her side, offering sips of water and wiping her face with a cool rag in between contractions. After thirty minutes of pushing she was making good progress bringing the baby down, but felt like she wanted to try a different position for a few minutes. I suggested that she try pushing in hands and knees. We spread a blanket on the floor and placed some cushions from the sofa under it to provide support. Roe stood and stretched knowing that he might be needed again in a few minutes.

After twenty more minutes of pushing Maggie was getting tired and discouraged. Dr. Carson explained to her that she was making very good progress, but that first babies could take a while to push out. She didn't want to stay in hands and knees anymore, so she stood and shook out her muscles and stretched. When the next contraction came she leaned forward onto the exam table and her body pushed again. "I'm just so tired! I don't know how much more a this I can do!"