The Amish Midwife's Hope by Barbara Cameron

Author:Barbara Cameron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2020-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Rebecca helped Elizabeth down from the exam table. “Any day now.”

“I can’t wait,” Elizabeth told her. “This pregnancy seems like it’s lasted longer than an elephant’s. And I’ve been having low back pain for days.”

Rebecca frowned. Low back pain could be a sign of impending labor. She glanced at Elizabeth’s chart. “We figured your due date for a week from today. I’d say you’re going to be right on schedule like usual.”

Elizabeth suddenly gasped. “Oh no! Oh, Rebecca, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to pee on your floor!”

Rebecca looked down at the puddle forming at Elizabeth’s feet and grinned. “It might be today after all. Elizabeth, your water just broke.”

Elizabeth stared at her, uncomprehending. “It did?” Then she laughed and shook her head. “It did.”

Rebecca opened a cabinet, pulled out towels, and tossed them down on the floor. “Time to get that boppli delivered. Go on into the bathroom and dry off. I’ll tell the other mudders we’re rescheduling, and we’ll get you home.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience them—” Elizabeth began but then she winced. “Oh my, I think I’m having a contraction.”

“I think you’ve been having back labor and you’re going to have that boppli soon,” Rebecca said with a chuckle. “Do you need help?”

“Nee. I can manage.” She started off to the bathroom.

Rebecca watched her progress. Elizabeth had that distinctive loose gait—almost a waddle—that told her Elizabeth’s pelvic bones had softened the way nature intended to make the delivery possible. Then she went on out to the waiting room and told the women remaining she’d have to reschedule. They were delighted for Elizabeth and gathered up their belongings to leave.

When Elizabeth came out, Rebecca was waiting with their jackets and her medical bag. “We’ll take your buggy.”

“We should mop your floor before we leave.”

“It can wait.” Rebecca had a feeling the boppli couldn’t. Low back pain, water breaking, contractions. And she saw Elizabeth wince again. “We can call your mann on the way to your house.”

She locked her door behind them and helped Elizabeth down the porch steps. “Just think, you’ll have your boppli before Christmas.”

“Gut thing the presents are all wrapped and tucked away.” She pressed a hand to her side. “I’m having another contraction.”

“That’s about five minutes since the last one. You’re moving right along.” Rebecca was glad they were just blocks from Elizabeth’s house. “Call your mann.”

Adam was waiting in the driveway when they pulled in. He helped Elizabeth into the house and then the downstairs bedroom. There, Rebecca saw that the supplies she always requested be ready for a home birth were already laid out on the bed.

“Get undressed. I’ll be right back after I’ve washed my hands,” she told her patient. “Adam, please stay with her until I get back.”

“Of course. Here, lieb, let me help you with your jacket.”

When Elizabeth moaned at another contraction, Rebecca hurried into the downstairs bathroom. Not only was the woman going to have her boppli today, but Rebecca suspected she’d have it before her kinner came home from schul.

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