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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 2, 2009 16:02:17 GMT -5
I almost felt it, that rush I got from his touch, but I barely had time to feel anything before another contraction gripped my body and I cried out in agony. Selwyn moved from where he was perched to the foot of the bed, pushing my shift up so he could see my vulva. "You're about halfway there," he told me. "5 centimeters dilated, excellent."
"I don't feel excellent," I groused, once the contraction passed. "How much longer?"
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Selwyn nó Balm
Second
Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 2, 2009 16:06:15 GMT -5
"Well, that all depends," I said. "Usually, first time mothers deliver a few hours after their water has broken, but every birth is different." I was being deliberately vague, I did not want to cause any worry by delivering facts and figures. "For now, we am going to prepare for delivery. I will two basins, one filled with warm water, please." A servant by the door heard me, nodded and scurried off. "Do you think you can keep track of how often and how long your contractions are?"
The marquise nodded. "You'll help me, Ana?" she asked the woman to her side.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 2, 2009 20:08:28 GMT -5
"Of course sister," I told her with a soft smile. "Let me go get your clock." I rose and went over to her desk and carefully picked up her clock and brought it back to put on the table beside her bed.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 4, 2009 21:03:46 GMT -5
I was suddenly filled with dread. What if something should happen to me? I grasped Ana's hand. "Ana," I said, "what if I don't make it?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:21:28 GMT -5
"Then your babe will come and foster a little earlier than planned, that's all," I told her practically, a smile on my lips as I patted her hand.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:25:02 GMT -5
"You'll be fine Soleil," I said soothingly, slightly annoyed from Anacrasia for not telling her the same. "We're all here for you."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 5, 2009 13:27:53 GMT -5
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Good," I said. "That's good." Another contraction gripped me and I cried out, bearing down on their hands.
"Don't push," said Selwyn. "You may feel the urge, but it is not time yet." He looked to Christophe and me. "Would you like the father to cut the cord?" he asked.
I looked to Christophe. "It's all right with me," I said. "Do you want to?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:40:42 GMT -5
"Yes," I replied, smiling into her gaze, doing my best to give her all my confidence.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 13:43:04 GMT -5
I ignored Christophe's reaction, doubtlessly he assumed that he would look after the babe if the worst happened. But he would be dreaming. I knew Malabelle better than that.
I kept my eye on the clock, mentally noting how long her contractions were taking, and how frequent, reporting to Selwyn when necessary.
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Selwyn nó Balm
Second
Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 5, 2009 13:48:25 GMT -5
The marquise's labor was progressing swimmingly, and after a while, she was fully dilated, and her contractions were coming rapidly. "It's time to start pushing," I told her soothingly. "You're doing wonderfully; at the next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can, all right?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 5, 2009 13:50:10 GMT -5
By now, I was exhausted. The pain of the contractions had drained all my strength, and I didn't know how I would push. "Fine," I said weakly. "Can I have some water?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 5, 2009 18:23:31 GMT -5
I reached over immediately and brought a glass of water to her lips. She looked drained already, but I forced my thoughts to stay positive for her.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 6, 2009 22:28:23 GMT -5
I drank the water gratefully. "Thank you," I said, wiping the sweat from my brow. I could feel another contraction coming on, and when it came, I bore down, pushing as hard as I could, squeezing their hands and letting out a cry I didn't even know I had in me.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 7, 2009 12:43:44 GMT -5
Giving birth was a long process, and so I was patient, rubbing her hand even as she was squeezing mine hard enough to make me flinch. With every scream I hoped the babe would arrive. I didn't like to see my friend in pain.
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Selwyn nó Balm
Second
Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 7, 2009 16:05:04 GMT -5
"That's it," I murmured calmly, soothingly. "You're almost there, marquise..." I could see the baby's shoulder, and knew she would be crowning soon.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 8, 2009 19:22:23 GMT -5
"Just a little more Soleil," I said encouragingly, wiping the sweat from her brow.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 9, 2009 21:04:22 GMT -5
I pushed again, crying out in pain. It was the worst pain I'd ever felt, and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 13, 2009 13:27:39 GMT -5
Both Christophe and I had been as encouraging as we could, in our own ways. I stayed quiet and breathed with her as I continued to stroke her hand. I knew she could do this, she was one of the strongest women I knew.
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Selwyn nó Balm
Second
Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 13, 2009 20:51:07 GMT -5
The baby's head was crowned, and I said, "Your baby is almost here, marquise, just one more big push, there's a good girl..."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 13, 2009 20:59:57 GMT -5
Somehow, I summoned the last of my strength, and when the next contraction came, I put everything I had into pushing, crying and groaning as I did.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 14, 2009 14:10:14 GMT -5
Soleil gave a cry that would break anyone's heart, and I prayed that the babe had finally slid free.
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Selwyn nó Balm
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Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 15, 2009 21:12:34 GMT -5
With that last big push, the baby slid into my waiting hands, wailing its head off. That was a good sign. Just from a glance, I could tell that this was a big, healthy baby. The skin was pink, and the muscle tone good. I looked between the baby's legs. "Congratulations," I said, "it's a girl."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 15, 2009 21:14:40 GMT -5
Tears of relief streamed down my cheeks. "I knew it," I whispered. "My baby, my little girl..." I reached out. "I want to hold her."
Selwyn motioned to Christophe. "It's time," he said, holding out a pair of sharp shears to him.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 16, 2009 14:33:35 GMT -5
I let go of Soleil's hand so that I could move down the side of the bed. My hands went through the motions of cutting the cord, but my mind was filled with the knowledge that I had a daughter. It was amazing. Soon enough I was done, and Selwyn was wrapping the babe up to give to Soleil.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 16, 2009 14:48:24 GMT -5
We were all grinning like idiots. "Oh Soleil, I'm so happy for you. What will you name her?" I asked as the babe was being wrapped up. It was clear that the babe had a very good set of lungs.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 17, 2009 15:41:26 GMT -5
Selwyn finished wrapping up my baby girl and moved to lay her in my arms. "Synnove," I breathed, part to say it, part to answer Ana's question. "Synnove Belfours, my beautiful girl..."
Selwyn was smiling. "She's perfect," he said, "Ten fingers, ten toes, in good health...she's going to be just fine."
"Thank you," I said, smiling even as I continued to cry. The baby was calm now, looking at me wide-eyed and intent. "Hear that, my love?" I whispered, kissing her brow. "You're going to be fine."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Oct 17, 2009 16:40:35 GMT -5
I sat back down beside Soleil, and gently reached out to touch the top of her head. "Soleil," I breathed, wonder in my voice that she could produce such a beautiful creature. "We have a daughter."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 17, 2009 17:13:51 GMT -5
"I know," I murmured. I examined her face, her wispy hair, her wide eyes. "She's got my eyes," I said, pointing out the aquamarine stars set in my baby's face. "But I can see you too, in her face."
Synnove began to make fussing noises. "She must be hungry," I said worriedly. I unbuttoned the front of my shift and pushed it off my shoulders, exposing my breasts, which were swollen and heavy with milk. I brought her mouth to one of my breasts. "How do I do this?" I asked Selwyn.
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Selwyn nó Balm
Second
Second of Balm House
Son of Mairead Pasteur n? Balm
Posts: 671
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Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Oct 17, 2009 17:19:33 GMT -5
At this point, I had cleaned up what remained from birthing, and had wrapped the placenta in thick butcher paper. I would ask later if she wanted to keep it. I moved to the side of the bed when the marquise asked for help nursing. "First, take your breast with your hand," I said, "and stroke Synnove's cheek with it." I moved to touch her. "May I?"
"Yes," she said, nodding.
I took her breast in my hand, and gently stroked the baby's cheek with the nipple. Synnove's mouth opened wide. "See that?" I asked. "When she opens her mouth like that, pull her to your breast." I gently moved the baby to her breast. She immediately latched on and began sucking. "There you go. She already knows what to do, you just have to prompt her to do it."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 17, 2009 17:20:57 GMT -5
When Synnove began to suck, it hurt a little at first, but then I felt relief, and a little pleasure. Her warm little body next to mine was a blessing. "Look how smart she is, Christophe, Ana," I said with wonder. "She knows what to do already."
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