Into the Ether - Complete

Summer of Love: Part 8

"Roza?!" I heard shouted through the infirmary seventy seconds later.

"Ha! I was closer," gloated Alberta, as Celeste muttered something about freakishly tall Russians. My Russian God burst into the room in a panic to see me fiddling with the button that adjusted the back of the bed, and Celeste lowering the blind at the window.

"I thought you were in labor?" he gasped.

I giggled.

"I am! Five centimeters dilated," I announced proudly. "You got here fast!"

Dimitri was looking a little deflated, but then the next contraction hit. I grabbed the rail that was up on one side of the bed, panting and rubbing my bump with the other hand. You could actually feel the muscles contracting through the skin.

"Milaya," Dimitri said with wide eyes, at my side in an instant. "Does it hurt?"

"Well, it doesn't tickle!" I said when I'd got through it.

"Do you need anything?" Alberta asked.

"Yes. I left my phone in our unit charging. Could you get that and the charger? And my camera; it's right next to it. Also, can you make sure Olena, Yeva, and Abe know I'm here? Dimitri, can you text Janine? She asked to be informed when I went into labor." Alberta and Celeste left to get what we needed, and Dr. Olendzki knocked and entered.

"Great! I have the two of you alone. Let's run through a few things before anyone else arrives. Like any labor, your loved ones will be excited and maybe a little overbearing. In this room, I'm working for you and the baby, Rose. You can have whoever you want in here, as long as they're not interfering. But you might find there comes a time when you want someone or everyone to leave. If that's so, tell me you have a craving for doughnuts. I'll know that means you want me to clear the room. You don't need to be stressing about offending anyone, and I have no problem kicking people out. You can always invite them back in later if you want to.

"Guardian Belikov – that includes you. Sometimes it helps for the man to step out of the room for a little while; either because Mom wants it or because I think you might need a break. You need to understand the priority here is keeping Rose comfortable and happy and the baby safe. Unless it's a medical decision, Rose is in charge here. It's her birthing space, and she needs to feel respected and in control. Listen to what she wants. I'll only make a request of you if it's necessary, in which case I need you to obey immediately, even if it's asking you to step outside. Understood?"

"I understand," Dimitri said, answering Dr. Olendzki, but not breaking eye contact as he gazed at me with adoration.

"Finally Rose gets a free pass today. Anything she says, any insult she makes to anyone gets discarded with the afterbirth. She's probably going to tell you she hates you at least once, Dimitri. She doesn't mean it, although she might think she does at the time. When the baby is born, all being normal we'll hand bub straight to Rose, and I recommend putting baby straight to the breast. In the first few days, your breasts produce colostrum which is full of antibodies your baby needs. You don't make a lot, but the more baby is at the breast, the better, especially if you plan to breastfeed. It will also help you deliver the placenta. Dimitri all going according to plan, do you want to cut the cord?"

Dimitri finally dragged his eyes from mine to look at Dr. Olendzki.

"Yes, I'd like to," he said, his voice thick with emotion. She nodded, jotting his preference down on her notepad.

"Rose, you're welcome to use the shower as much as you want during the earlier parts of labor. Some women find the hot water helps. It's probably easiest for you if you go in nude. Dimitri, you or the nurse will need to go with her - she's not to shower unsupervised. If you attend and want to shower with her, please wear a pair of swim trunks."