The Unbreakable Bond

Cathy let out a deep breath.

She was in the last few days of her first pregnancy with her due date just five days away.

She moved her swollen body and climbed the few steps to the front door of their flat slowly exhaling after each step then smiled- a few months earlier she could run up the five steps to their flat easily.

Well, soon they will be new parents. Cathy and Dave Perrot had made the nursery ready for their soon to be born son.

Unlocking the door, she entered their small flat, placed her bag on the small coffee table then sat down heavily.

She thought it odd the way her body had changed rapidly during her pregnancy especially during the last few months. It was both a miracle and also a burden- no, not a burden she chided herself but a responsibility.

Recently married, they were very happy with their new flat and Cathy made sure she decorated it tastefully. Reveling in her memories of their honeymoon in Hawaii, they came back to the peaceful home they intended to begin their new life- as husband and wife.

Three months after their wedding, she went to the hospital thinking she had the flu. She was told it wasn't the flu but a baby on the way. Dave was overjoyed, she was flabbergasted. She loved babies but wasn't yet ready to get pregnant- at least not so soon after the wedding.

She later embraced the idea of pregnancy and gave herself to nurturing the tiny new life growing inside her.

The day of birthing was approaching and Cathy still had many fears despite trying her best to think rationally.

Dr Ross tried his best to allay these fears , despite his reassurance she felt in a corner of her mind something may go wrong during labor and delivery.

She shared these concerns with Dave who laughed and told her she would be great during the labor as he will be there to support her. But she wasn't at ease.

There was a sense of foreboding she couldn't shake off.

They had decided to have a natural childbirth and the day was rapidly approaching. She did not want any intervention by medical staff unless necessary.

Her next appointment was in two days which could possibly be her last appointment before having the baby.

She needed another woman to hold her hand.........during the process

And she had no one.

Cathy Perrot came from a dysfunctional family. Her Father was an alcoholic who had abandoned her mother leaving her to fend for four young children. Cathy grew up with an absentee father and by default an absentee mother. Oh! She loved her mother, but her mother was busy taking odd jobs working to take care of Cathy and her three brothers.

Cathy grew up feeling she was a burden to her mother, who incessantly complained and griped about how difficult life was for them since their father abandoned them.

Her bitterness seeped into almost every aspect of their lives and she told Cathy-"Never trust a man, they all are up to no good. They end up using and abandoning you"

It was no wonder Cathy's brothers left home as soon as they were able to work and Cathy herself got a job as a Sales clerk at a Supermarket. She had very few friends and kept to herself.

She met Dave there.

He was drawn to her- she had a soft, calm voice and a way of putting others at ease which he liked about her.

He was an auto engineer working at the Autozone shop two blocks away from the supermarket.

She grew on him and the rest as they say is history.

On the 16th of September, Cathy had her hospital appointment with her obstetrician- Dr Ross.

She had an ultrasound scan and the doctor told her the baby was due and ready to come any day now but not to be disappointed if the baby came later than her due date.

"First- time babies are usually late but eventually come at last" He said.

She was relieved to know all was well with her pregnancy.

Now it was time to birth her baby.

She left the hospital with mixed feelings and on her way out was greeted by a cheerful voice- "Hello! how's the kicking , "

"Fine"- Cathy replied absentmindedly

Cathy had seen her before - during her previous visits to the OB/GYN.

She was a Physician assistant at the hospital- the name on her ID card was- Karen Colby.

Cathy recollected she'd seen her once at the ultrasound room where she sat with Dr. Ross during her first ultrasound scan.

There was a down- to -earth nature she had and also radiated an aura of genuine warmth and kindness.

Yes! Cathy thought-" I'll ask her if she could be there when i'm in labor, i just hope she agrees to my request."

Cathy approached her- "Please, can I speak to you?"

"Yes- How may I be of help?" Karen replied

"Well, Um....m" Cathy bit her lower lip

"Are you usually at the hospital?"

"Oh! " Karen replied "I'm a Physician's assistant at the pediatric clinic but I like helping out with Dr. Ross in my spare time. I love seeing a tiny baby make it's way into the world."

"Could you.....um, would you spare time to be there when I'm in labor, it's my first time."

" I'll be delighted, I think you'll go into labor soon".

" Yes- My due date is in two days. How do I find you?"

" Oh! tell Dr Ross to give me a call when you are in labor."

That night, Cathy couldn't sleep and she tossed and turned her bloated body .

Darling, what's wrong? asked Dave- He was already on high alert.

I don't know, i'm just restless and the baby won't let me sleep.

"Maybe he's coming soon" Dave replied.

" No- Not yet- Dr, Ross said he may be late."

"O.K try to get some rest, its late"

"I'm trying to sleep but I just can't"

"Are you worried about the birthing? We'll go through it together"

"Of course, we agreed to have a natural birth" And I'm not worried.

I'll take it as it comes- and I've been practicing the breathing techniques,"

O.K good to know.

Early the following morning, Cathy knew it was time. The first few pains gripped her and her water burst on her way to the bathroom.

"Dave- get the ambulance. I think the baby's coming."

He called the ambulance and she was taken directly to the labor ward at the hospital.

Dr Ross was alerted and he came immediately to see her.

After examination he told her- "You're in labor but still have a few hours to go."

"Please Doctor, could you tell Karen I'm here ?"

"Karen? " Dr Ross and Dave asked at the same time

"Yes- Karen Colby- the physician assistant."

"Ah, Yes- i'll let her know."

Karen was just coming in to the hospital premises when she got the call.

She called her colleague and told her- " i'll be there a little late,

I'm needed at OB/GYN"

"Another baby to catch- isn't it?"

Karen smiled.

Karen reached the labor room just in time

"Oh my! I'm so glad to see you"

"All right! I'm here with you and i'll coach you through this" Karen replied.

" Dave- this is Karen, she'll help me through this".

"Oh! Nice to meet you, and thank you" Dave replied

The labor pains increased in intensity during the minutes and hours that passed and the trio held hands with Karen coaching her on the deep breathing methods and techniques she had learned during her antenatal period .

The midwife monitored the vital signs and charts and at last the baby's head crowned.

Dr Ross was there to take the delivery.

"Push.........."

"Push once more" .... Karen said

"Yes that's good! Its a boy......... Congratulations."

Dave was exhilarated, Cathy was happy but tired and spent.

Dr Ross handed the scissors to Dave who cut the umbilical cord and the baby was placed at Cathy's breast.

Cathy cradled her newborn son in her arms and with tears in her eyes- looked at Karen and said- "Thank you so much."

"You made out time to hold my hand during labor"

"No! Thank you - It is a privilege to witness the birth of your son." replied Karen.

Dave kissed Cathy and told her- "Darling, You were wonderful"

Dr Ross took the now squalling baby and said- "he's got a great pair of lungs."

All four of them laughed heartily.

Cathy and Karen looked across at each other- Her newborn son had brought them together on the 17th of September , each knew an unbreakable bond had just been forged.