Free Rebirth by Michael Poeltl

house was empty.
     
    “Check my dilation again, Caroline” I begged as the pain worsened. She lifted the blankets and placed her gloved finger inside me. I knew this was hard for her, but I think she appreciated just how much harder it was for me.
     
    “I don’t know, Sara, it feels somewhere between a cheerio and the hole of a bagel, maybe seven centimeters? Three more and you’re good to go.” Her head shot back to the closed door where Sid stood guard. “What was that?” she whispered to him.
     
    “I’ll check it out. Try to be quiet.”
     
    We’d all heard it. A door had slammed; maybe the front door. Sidney closed the bedroom door behind him. We listened as he descended the stairs to the front hall. Caroline looked back at me.
     
    “I’m sure it’s nothing,” she said. “You’re doing great, Sara. I bet you’ll have this baby out in a couple of hours.”
     
    It had been six hours already, and honestly, I didn’t know how much longer I could keep this up without screaming. The pain of the contractions had increased enormously, and I dreaded the actual pushing. I had almost asked Caroline to light me the pipe, Joel’s pot pipe, to take the edge off, but never did. Women had been delivering babies for ages before pain relievers became the delivery room standard. I could do it, but I would have to be strong, stronger than I’d ever been before.
     
    Another violent burning sensation forced my back to arch as I let out a pained cry. Jesus, would it ever let up? Caroline tried to sooth me.
     
    “Is there anything more I can do to help? Do you want a couple of aspirin?”
     
    “Thins the blood,” I said automatically. I’d already reviewed all of my options in pain management and none that we had on hand offered any relief for childbirth. The pot would be my best choice, but I didn’t want to bring my baby into the world high. Since Joel’s descent into madness or depression or both, I’d been very careful to stay away from the stuff too.
     
    Sid reappeared a moment later. “I don’t see anyone, anywhere.” He looked alarmed as well as confused.
     
    “Let’s not worry about them. We’ve got a long night ahead of us,” Caroline urged.
     
    “I don’t think I can do this,” I cried through heavy breaths. “It’s too painful.”
     
    “You can do this, Sara, you are doing it, and we’ll be right here every step of the way.” I caught a look of passing panic in her eyes, but that was quickly replaced with a steely stare that evoked a quiet confidence. I was in good hands, but wished I could be on both sides of the action.
     
    “Sid, take Sara’s hand,” she ordered in a whisper. Sid rounded the bed and sat next to me. I grabbed at his right hand and squeezed down hard as another contraction overtook me.
     
    The evening turned into night and still, no baby. At roughly midnight the pushing began. “I have to push!” I pleaded. “I have to!”
     
    “You’re fully dilated, Sara.” Caroline smiled triumphantly and removed her finger once more. “PUSH!” she urged. “PUSH!”
     
    I brought my legs up to my chest, pulling them against my sides with both arms, my muscles straining as I pushed with all my might. Sid was standing next to me, silently patting my forehead with the same wet towel I’d been sucking on to stay hydrated while Caroline coached me. I forgot my earlier resolve to keep the procedure secret, and openly cursed, shouted, ranted and hated the whole experience. My sheets were absolutely soaked in sweat, I was dehydrated and beginning to worry after the first hour whether this baby was going to require a C-section. I put that thought out of my mind, as no one here could perform that with any level of success. Any attempt would definitely kill me, and likely the baby. Not that either of my friends could have brought themselves to cut me open. This was going to happen the old fashioned way, no ifs, ands or buts about it.
     
    Suddenly Caroline declared that