293— Su Qianhua Goes Into Labor (2)

"I really can't wait for him to come out. I'm tired of this constant weight."

Jiang Philip stroked her bare shoulder, "Please bear it for a bit longer Baby. The expected date is a week from now. We could ask for a cesarean if he still hasn't come out by then."

Su Qianhua nodded her head, feeling sleepy. But at that moment, she felt something gush out and she froze, the sleepiness disappearing in an instant.

Jiang Philip noticed her lack of movement and asked, "What? Is something wrong?"

"Baby, this child really doesn't waste time at all. I just complained about him and he's rushing to respond."

Jiang Philip didn't understand, "What happened? Did he kick you hard again?"

Su Qianhua managed to reply just as the first wave of pain hit, "My water just broke."

Jiang Philip who had read tens of books about pregnancy and childbirth, felt his head go blank in an instant.

What did that mean? The baby was coming? Already?

Now???

He just knew that tumbling in the sheets so close to her delivery date was a bad idea. Didn't one book say it could somehow make labor happen faster? Now that it had truly happened, he panicked.

Fear suddenly gripped him like a vice. What to do?

Su Qianhua didn't lose her head like he did. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time after all, so she swiftly ordered him.

"Please bring my phone here, I'll call Doctor Zhong. Go get the bag we packed for the hospital in case we have to go immediately. We'll call our parents in the car."

Like a soldier, Jiang Philip rushed to do as she said. As he hurried away, she added, "And get me some presentable clothes please. I don't think I want everyone to know what we've been up to."

She managed a smile as she spoke to reassure him, but it was beginning to really hurt, and she bit back a groan.

Hearing her sound of distress, he rushed to her side and helped her up to the sofa, putting pillows behind her to make her feel more comfortable.

Then he hurried to get the things she asked for, scattering the room in the process. By the time he came back, she was standing up and walking around, looking normal.

Looking back at him, she said, "The pains have eased. Doctor Zhong called them "contractions" and said that they're normal. He also said that I would need to time the bouts of pain. When they're three minutes apart, we can come."

Jiang Philip nodded and went to hold her hand as they walked around the living room. Although she tried not to scream, he could still tell when the contractions were too painful for her, as her hand would tighten around his.

The night gradually gave way to dawn, with both of them wide-awake as they walked to and fro the house. Morning had never come so slowly before.

By the time the rays of sunlight had begun to appear on the horizon, Su Qianhua was long covered in sweat, the pain was almost unbearable, and the contractions were coming down faster.

Jiang Philip was too worried to wait any further. After a quick shower, Jiang Philip called a taxi to pick them up.

They got to the hospital ten minutes later—which was just a bit after six, and the parents were almost on their heels.

Su Qianhua was taken in and settled down in a ward, and her vital signs were taken. The baby's heartbeat was also checked and traced.

Then she was advised to walk some more as she wasn't dilated yet.

Jiang Philip's eyes almost turned red as he saw her bite her lips to stifle her groan of pain. Without thinking, he offered her his shoulder, "Bite here, don't injure yourself."

"No, kiss me instead."

While their parents watched, both of them locked lips, tongues tangling. Su Qianhua's subsequent groans were swallowed into his mouth and she tried to focus on the feel of his lips instead of the pain that threatened to erode her senses.

They continued, taking time to pull apart, before going at it again.

The parents excused themselves and went to the corridor, leaving the couple in their own world. Out of sight, out of mind. It was a good thing they were in a private ward.

The mothers went to get her some food to eat, for her to replenish her strength, while the fathers chatted about everything under the sun, trying to distract themselves.

The third time they pulled apart, Su Qianhua said amidst pants, "This is a more pleasurable way to pass the time."

Jiang Philip nodded while tucking strands of her hair, damp with sweat behind her ear.

"It's funny how romance can take place here, in the hospital."

"I love you Qianhua. With you, romance can take place anywhere." Jiang Philip said with intense conviction.

Su Qianhua wanted to say something, but the pain stabbed her so badly that her eyes rolled and she let out a scream.

Frightened, Jiang Philip rang the bell for the doctor.

A nurse rushed in, checked her and said it wasn't time yet.

It was not yet time? How could it still not be time yet when his wife was clearly in so much pain?

Jiang Philip glared at the nurse, scaring the lady so much that she rushed out. She was one of the nurses that had a crush on him, but after that harsh glare, he had just lost an admirer.

Su Qianhua held his hand so tightly that he thought she was going to fracture it, but he was in more pain due to her obvious agony rather than because of the injury to his hand.

It was humbling to see such a strong woman react like this.

Jiang Philip was sure that this child was going to be their only one. If he had to watch her be in so much pain one more time, he would not be able to bear it.

Moments later, Doctor Zhong came in to personally check her and explain the situation. She still wasn't fully dilated, but the labor was progressing normally. He estimated that she would give birth in about two hours.

Jiang Philip almost exploded. Two more hours of watching her in horrible pain?

Definitely not!

"Can we opt for a cesarean section?"

Doctor Zhong considered it for a moment, "It's possible, but Mrs Jiang is well enough to give birth naturally, so there's no need for surgery.

"Besides, remember she had problems with her blood levels previously. Although she's fine now, it's better not to take avoidable risks. A hemorrhage after the surgery would be a big problem."

"Isn't there something for the pain at least? It's been going on for so long already."

Doctor Zhong relaxed, "We could give her epidural anaesthesia for that."