Baby Emma’s Birthday

 Stretchy had always dreamed of becoming a mother, but she never imagined it would be as challenging as it was. Her pregnancy was long and difficult, plagued by gestational diabetes and other ailments that made her feet swell and her belly grow to an enormous size. But despite the hardships, Stretchy was determined to bring her child into the world.

The night before her induction, Stretchy and her partner, Jer Bear, arrived at the hospital. The nurses offered her sleeping pills, but Stretchy declined, too nervous about what was to come. Early the next morning, the nurses woke her up and began the induction process. Stretchy watched groggily as they pulled out what looked like a knitting needle to break her water. She was confused and disoriented, and when the nurses told her she wasn't allowed to eat breakfast, she protested. She knew from previous discussions with her doctor that she would be allowed to eat during labor, and she didn't want to start this marathon on an empty stomach.

The day progressed slowly, with Stretchy and Jer Bear walking laps around the hospital halls as she had small contractions. But the nurses felt things weren't moving fast enough, and so they administered Pitocin to force stronger contractions. The contractions came in fast and hard, and Stretchy writhed in pain, begging for relief. She had hoped for a natural birth, but it was clear that wasn't going to happen. The doctors and nurses gave her an epidural, and she went to sleep.

For hours, Jer Bear watched anxiously as monitors beeped and lights whirled and flashed. Whenever the baby's heart rate dropped, Stretchy would stir, and Jer Bear would rub her back and legs to help with blood flow. Finally, a nurse came in and said it was time. They would soon see their baby girl.

Stretchy pushed and pushed, but she couldn't feel a thing. The doctor came in and said they would have to do something soon. Stretchy didn't want any more surprises, so she pushed extra hard and out came Emma. The nurse was surprised and told her to slow down, but the doctor had barely left and was also surprised. He ran back in and out came Emma. They laid her on her mother's chest and she smiled. Emma grabbed her mother's fingers and looked up with beautiful blue eyes and blonde and ruby curls.

The day hadn't gone as planned, but it ended happily with the arrival of their baby girl. As Stretchy held Emma in her arms, she knew that all the hardships of her pregnancy were worth it. She was a mother now, and nothing could ever change that.