The Birth of Twins

The Birth of Twins

It was a cool day in October. Rachel was driving home from her parent’s home in Peterborough, Ontario. It was her father’s 50th birthday and most of the family had come. The house was full of chaos with kids running about and adults talking non-stop. Of course, the occasion had to be documented with pictures. Rachel tried to pick a spot in the back but was constantly moved forward. And there she was with her “bowling ball” stomach. She had three weeks before the baby was due and she felt like an elephant.

Rachel’s husband, Dan, wasn’t able to come because of a last-minute call to work. One of the security guards at the bank had called in sick and he was on-call. Rachel reassured him that she would be fine.

So far, the drive had been uneventful with a steady stream of traffic. She was getting close to the 401 and about two hours from home. Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto was playing on the radio – Rachel’s favorite.

Rachel felt a strange sensation in her stomach and a pain in her back. She pulled off the road at Tim Hortons and got out to stretch. Thinking that a bit of food might help, she ordered a tea and muffin. The pain in her back eased a bit but she decided to walk around the outside of the building. She was getting very tired.

“Hey Dan, I’m really tired. I think I’ll get a room for the night at a hotel in Oshawa. I really don’t want to drive through Toronto, even the 407, tonight. See you tomorrow. Love you,” Rachel spoke to Dan’s phone. She knew he must be working and was not allowed to have his phone on him because of distraction.

Rachel checked into the Travelodge. It was a modest hotel with reasonable rates. The plan was to leave as early as she could so she could get through Toronto before the rush hour traffic. She would get to bed early.

At ten o’clock, Rachel was awakened by a sharp pain in her back. She stood up and tried to walk a bit. The pain was stronger and seemed to stretch around to the front. In a moment, it was gone and Rachel was feeling better. She decided to use the toilet and go back to bed. But on the way, a gush of water splashed to the floor.

“Oh no! Not now! Too early,” she said as a contraction tightened around her middle.

She lay on her bed and tried to control her breathing as another contraction came on. She screamed as the contraction threatened to tear her apart (or so it seemed).

There was a knock at the door and a voice asking if she was ok. The only answer she could give was more groans. Swift steps moved away and soon several quick steps were coming closer. The door opened and an attendant, named Mary, approached the bed. She stared down at Rachel as another contraction claimed her attention.

“This woman is in labor,” Mary said. “Someone call for an ambulance now!”

Two paramedics rushed into the room about half an hour later. By now, the whole floor of guests was awake and interested in the situation. Many were in the hall, but some, more bold individuals had come right into the room.

“Ok folks,” the paramedic said, “nothing to see. Please leave and let us do our job.” Mary gently encouraged the onlookers out to the hall.

“Hello miss,” he said. “my name’s Ryan. How far apart are the contractions?” Ryan asked as another contraction came preventing Rachel’s response.

“They’ve been 5 minutes,” Mary said.

“Oh,” said Ryan. “Could you stay and maybe get some extra towels and a basin. I think this baby will be born here.”

The tears stung Rachel’s eyes as she thought about what Ryan had just said. Ryan touched the side of her arm, as Mary hurried from the room to retrieve the supplies needed.

“It’s ok,” he said, “we’re here now to help you. We’re not going to leave you.”

“The porter will bring the things you ask for,” Mary said. She hurried to Rachel’s side and took her hand just as another contraction tightened causing Rachel to scream again.

“I see the head,” Ryan said. “Push Rachel!”

The baby’s head was out and the rest of the body slipped out in a pool of water, soaking the bed and Ryan.

“Congratulations,” Ryan said. “You have a baby girl with lots of hair.”

“Oh my,” Mary exclaimed with watery eyes. “What a sweet baby girl!”

Ryan lay the baby on Rachel and turned to prepare the stretcher. His partner, who had stood back and watched the whole situation, came over slowly to help. Meanwhile, Rachel was studying her daughter through tears of joy.

“Thank you,” she finally said to Ryan.

“You’re welcome,” said Ryan. “But I think we better get you to the hospital.” He motioned for the other attendant to bring the stretcher. He covered her and her baby with a warm blanket. Then, they wheeled the stretcher out into the hallway where the other guests were still lining the walls. They clapped as she went by and she smiled in response.

A blast of cool air hit Rachel’s face as they left the building and approached the back of the ambulance. Suddenly, Rachel felt a pain similar to the contractions she had felt earlier.

“Something’s not right,” she said to Ryan, her face contorted in obvious pain. Ryan studied her a moment.

“I think that must be the placenta coming away,” he suggested. However, he gave a nervous look to his partner. “I think we had better hurry.”

Rachel let out a loud scream as the contraction tightened her middle. Ryan grabbed his stethoscope and placed it on her extended belly. As he lowered the instrument, he let out a sigh.

“Did anyone tell you that you were having twins,” he asked.

“No,” Rachel said with panic-filled eyes.

“Well, there’s another one on the way,” he said. “Please don’t worry. We’re not far from the hospital. It won’t be a comfortable ride, but we’ll be there as soon as possible.”He squeezed her hand for extra assurance.

“She’s already delivered a baby girl and appears to be in labor with a second child,” Ryan reported to the hospital. “Her vitals are good and her contractions are three minutes apart. We’re leaving the Travelodge on Champlain Avenue and should be there in ten minutes.”

As they pulled out of the driveway with sirens blasting, they hurried down the street and found themselves in a major traffic jam. Frustrated drivers were standing by their vehicles gazing at the blockage. Thick smoke was filling the air farther up the road.

“What is the problem?” Ryan asked the driver of the ambulance. “This baby is coming and I’m not cool with delivering it in the back of this ambulance.”

“Looks like something is on fire up ahead,” he said.

Ryan hurried back and phoned the hospital again.

“We’re stuck here and the baby is coming. Any assistance you can send me would be appreciated,” Ryan said.

“Dr. Smith left ten minutes ago, I’ll see where he’s at right now. He might be near you.”

Just then, the door flew open. The smell of smoke filled the back of the ambulance as a man with dark, curly hair covered with a baseball cap climbed up into the small space.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Smith. What’s your emergency?”

“Oh, am I glad to see you,” Ryan said. He quickly reviewed everything that had happened since he answered the call to the Travelodge.

“So, Rachel,” he said, “I hear you’re having another baby.”

“So it seems,” she said. “It’s a surprise to me.”

“Well, hopefully a pleasant surprise. It won’t be long. I’ll need to check you and see how things are progressing. Please don’t worry. Ryan will look after your first baby while I help you with this delivery. Is that ok?” he asked

“Yes,” she answered as a groan escaped, followed by a strong push. After a couple more pushes the piercing cry of her second baby reached the attention of the frustrated drivers. Cheers went up for the safe arrival of a baby!

“You have another beautiful baby girl,” Dr. Smith announced. “She’s as adorable as you first baby. Actually, she looks identical to your first. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Rachel said, tears flowing down her cheek. “Could you please call my husband, 555-965-0232,” she asked. “I was on my way home. I still had two hours drive and wasn’t feeling that great. My due date wasn’t for another three weeks. How did this happen?” she fretted.

“It does,” Dr. Smith said. “Maybe someone got the dates wrong. Sometimes twins come earlier. We’ll get you to the hospital and make sure everything is ok.”

When Dan arrived at the hospital, later that night, he hugged Rachel and watched his twin daughters as they slept peacefully in their cribs. He would never have imagined the joy he would feel when the birth of his firstborn became the birth of his identical twin daughters.