Page 14 of Open Net

Suddenly, an alarm rang out filling the room with obnoxious beeping. I glanced down at all the sensors and IVs, but everything seemed to be in place. What was going on?

Kelly rushed in and Olli stepped aside so she could see what was happening.

“Let’s just take a look.” She began clicking and typing then turned to me with her stethoscope posed and ready. I thought she was going for my chest, so when she placed it on my stomach, silently listening, panic swept through me.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “Is something wrong with the baby?”

Kelly continued working without directly answering me. “We’re going to give you some oxygen.” She pulled a mask over my head and placed it over my mouth and nose. I took in deep breaths hoping to help.

“And we’re going to have you try lying on your side.” She helped me roll to my left while Olli rearranged the pillows so I was comfortable. I watched Kelly closely for any sign of what was happening, but she seemed calm. Maybe having an alarm go off was normal for her, but not for me.

I pulled the mask away enough to talk. “What’s happening?”

She hesitated one second, not exactly reassuring me. “The baby’s heart rate has slowed. It happens sometimes. We’re just going to try to get it back up naturally.”

I turned to Olli whose jaw was tight. “What if it doesn’t get back up?” He asked.

“If there isn’t more progress with dilating then we’ll do a C-section.”

My eyes met Olli’s. This was not my plan. I didn’t want a C-section. I wanted to do this as naturally as possible. I didn’t want to have to recover from a major surgery while caring for a newborn.

He leaned down and kissed me gently. “It’s going to be okay. Whatever we have to do. As long as the baby and mom are okay.”

He was right. My plans didn’t matter. All that matter was that our baby got here safely.

Chloe stepped up behind Olli and reached for my hand. “It’s going to be okay, Emma. We’re all here for you. We’ll help. Don’t worry about anything. Just focus on you and the baby.”

I squeezed her hand and nodded, blinking away tears. She knew what I needed to hear. This was overwhelming and stressful, and I was already freaking out about what would happen if I had a C-section. I couldn’t do that. I had to focus on this one minute at a time. I literally had an entire team behind me ready to help us. All I could do was get the baby here safely.

4

Olli

Things sped up. Within twenty minutes of Emma starting on oxygen, the anesthesiologist came and administered the epidural using a humongous needle, holy cow. She grimaced as the syringe emptied of anesthetic. I felt so bad for Emma.

“I thought I needed to progress more.” Emma’s wide eyes searched Kelly’s face before turning to me.

I wished more than anything I had answers for her. I wanted to take her away from this.

“We’re going to keep watching to see if you dilate,” Kelly said, “but if you don’t in the next hour, we’re going to have to do a C-section.” She walked out leaving us with questions.

I tried not to panic, but I could see the impact her words were having on Emma.

“It’s going to be okay, guys,” Chloe said with a reassuring smile. “This happens all the time. I’m sure they’ve handled plenty of C-sections before.” I nodded at her and checked on Reese. His face was a bit ashen.

“You okay over there?” He met my eyes and nodded once.

“Emma you’re my hero.” Reese’s awed reverence voice my sentiments.

She briefly smiled under her mask. “It’s not done yet.”

He shook his head. “No really. You’re incredible.” Chloe nodded and rubbed Emma’s arm.

Before I could agree, the doors opened. I was expecting Kelly or a doctor, but Coach walked in with his wife, Marie.

My body relaxed in an instant. Finally, someone who would know what to do. I walked over and Coached opened his arms and pulled me in for a bear hug.

“Thanks for coming. You guys just missed Madi.”