On Call in the Arctic by Thomas J. Sims

Author:Thomas J. Sims
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 2018-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

Juliette’s cervix was almost completely dilated, so something had to be filling the lower pelvis making delivery imminent. Yet I couldn’t tell what it was or how the baby was positioned.

“I really need to push!” Juliette hollered, and just as the words blew across her lips, a gush of clear amniotic fluid exploded from her vagina.

“The baby’s coming. I can feel it!”

“Membranes just ruptured!” I shouted. “We need her in the OR and into stirrups now!”

We hollered for Gracie and she, Karen, and Garrett helped Juliette scoot from the bed onto a gurney and then into the operating room. I scrubbed my hands while my two assistants lifted Juliette’s legs up into cold stirrups and strapped her in.

“I’ve gotta push!” Juliette cried out. “It’s coming.”

I threw on a fresh pair of sterile gloves and slipped my hand into Juliette’s vagina. To manage the birth, I needed to know the baby’s presenting part. Preemies were often born breech and I wanted to be ready if that were the case.

This exam was even more confusing than my last. I felt things I shouldn’t be feeling at this point; tiny parts liked curled little sausages. I didn’t think they were toes because I felt nothing flat like the sole or heel. I closed my eyes. Focused. Felt again. Nothing made any sense.

“I can’t help it, Tom,” Juliette cried out. “I need to push.”

“Do something, Tom. Please!” Garrett cried.

“Can you wait a second, Juliette? Please. Try panting.”

“I can’t . . . I can’t. It’s coming.”

Juliette’s swollen vaginal introitus began to spread. As she pushed, the gap widened. Horrified, I saw a trace of white skin appear in the opening.

The contraction eased and along with it Juliette’s need to bear down. The patch of skin I saw momentarily retracted, but another contraction came and the drive to push was too strong for her to ignore.

Juliette cried out in pain and the white skin protruded even farther.

“Juliette, pant dammit, pant!” I begged.

Juliette tried to stop pushing but couldn’t. Garrett grabbed her hand and begged her to try. She twisted her head to one side and with a muffled scream, drew her arms up over the top of her womb and grunted.

I looked down between Juliette’s legs and sucked in a shocked breath. I saw something I never would have thought possible.

A tiny blue hand fell out of Juliette’s vagina.

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