One of a Kind - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 52

Kath's labor was progressing slowly - so slowly that the midwife gave her no choice but to have an epidural. It would take the edge off of her contractions so that she could save her energy for pushing later on, but it also meant that she'd be staying in the hospital a little longer. Kath didn't care about that anymore, her birth plan never included an epidural but she was exhausted and struggling with the pain of her contractions even with the epidural. It pained DJ to see her so fragile, not able to do anything more than hold her hand and talk to her. The only time he ever left the room was to use the bathroom, he didn't eat until Kath told the midwife that he needed to eat something and they got him food. She was still looking after him, even when she was in labor.

"I can't do this anymore... DJ, this is torture..." Kath choked out, her eyes tightly shut and she let out a sob as another contraction started. Her whole body was sweaty and aching, but her contractions felt as though her back was going to break in half. No position was comfortable. Walking around helped a little bit at first, but she couldn't do that anymore, the contractions were pretty much constant. She barely had time to catch her breath before the next one started and that led her midwife to give her an oxygen mask, giving her some help to breathe.

"You can do it, babe... not much longer to go now... you're so strong and I love you so much." DJ praised breathlessly, kissing her fingertips but it tore him apart to see her sobbing in pure agony and she hadn't even started pushing yet - the epidural wasn't helping. Kath reached up to take off her oxygen mask, but DJ held onto her wrist to make her stop. "Baby, no."

"I'm gonna throw up." She breathed and DJ let go of her, letting her take the mask off and he grabbed one of the disposable bowls that the midwife had left for them and he held it for her as she threw up into the bowl.

"I'm sorry, baby, I'm sorry... but it'll be over soon," DJ promised, giving her hand a gentle squeeze and he threw out the bowl in the nearby trashcan when she let herself drop onto the bed again, but she left her oxygen mask off. Neither of them had kept track of the time, but they'd been getting regular updates about Noah and what he was doing as DJ updated Rommel every time the nurse came back so that he wouldn't feel out of the loopback at their house. "I've got you, K."

"I know you do... and I hope you don't want more than two kids, because I can't do this again," Kath said desperately, lying on her back and she couldn't help but let out a muffled scream. "Shit!"

"Breathe! Kath, you have to breathe." DJ's voice was stern, standing up from his chair. He had to guide her in how to breathe, helping her to follow his lead instead of having to figure it out on her own but he turned his head as the door opened and he was relieved to see that midwife come through.

"Oh, sweetie. You're a real trooper, I swear! How are you doing?" She asked and Kath shook her head, gripping onto DJ's hand.

"The epidural isn't doing anything!" Kath sobbed and the midwife sighed, washing her hands in the sink in the corner of the room.

"Let's see how things are moving along." She said, before starting to examine Kath but she looked over at Dylan's monitor too, relieved that Dylan's heartbeat was still strong and it had slowed down from when Kath was first admitted - not by much, but it was enough to have it not be a concern anymore. "Kath, I can tell you right now that your epidural isn't helping anymore because you're fully dilated and Dylan is already starting to drop without you pushing at all." The midwife said and Kath's eyes widened, DJ's too.

"I-I can push?" She choked out and the midwife nodded her head.

"Just let me get changed and grab my colleague, then we can get started!" The midwife said with a smile, relieved that the news Kath could start pushing had seemed to give Kath a burst of energy - knowing she was so close to meeting her daughter. "Don't faint there, DJ." The midwife teased as she headed towards the door and DJ nodded.

"I'll do my best not to," DJ admitted, but he cracked a smile when Kath laughed breathlessly. "You want another joke now? You made me stop after page fifteen." He teased, but he laughed when she just smacked him in the chest playfully.

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It had been another couple of hours, DJ and two midwives in the room to support Kath the entire time as she pushed.

"Her shoulders are almost out now, Kath, you're doing so well! One more big push and you'll have your little girl!" Her midwife encouraged, her colleague getting a blanket ready. Kath could barely breathe because of the agony, but she gripped onto DJ's hand and used the last of her strength, pushing as hard as she could.

Dylan's cries filled the room.

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