The Midwife's One-Night Fling

‘I know that. You’ll be feeling a lot more comfortable soon, and I’m sure he will too.’

She was just helping Kathy back onto the delivery bed when the door opened and she saw the beautiful man she now knew was called Richard come in.

‘Where the hell have you been?’ Ben said by way of greeting.

‘I’m Dr Lewis,’ he responded. ‘Consultant anaesthetist.’ Then he smiled at his patient. ‘Hello, Mrs Hudson.’

But Ben wasn’t finished yet. ‘She was booked to have an epidural hours ago, but she’s been left screaming in pain.’

‘I’m aware of that, Mr Hudson, and I agree that it’s unfortunate, but I’m here now.’

‘It’s more than unfortunate, it’s not good enough,’ he retorted.

‘Ben, please...’ Kathy pleaded, but her husband still wasn’t done.

‘Where were you?’

‘Actually,’ Richard said as he rolled up his sleeves, ‘I was in bed when I was called to see if I could come in. I’m not supposed to be here until eight.’

It was only just after seven. And Freya understood now why he hadn’t shaved.

‘Now...’ He looked over to his patient as he tied on a plastic apron. ‘Would you prefer me to call you Mrs Hudson or Kathy?’

‘Kathy.’

‘Well, Kathy, we’ll have you feeling a lot more comfortable soon.’

He was very meticulous. As Freya helped Kathy to sit on the edge of the bed for the procedure Richard Lewis went through all that had been set up. He made no small talk as he checked and rechecked everything.

‘Right,’ he said, as if to himself, and then he addressed Kathy. ‘You’re going to feel a sting from the local anaesthetic and then a bit of pressure. I’ll need you to stay as still as you can—do you understand that?’

‘I do—but what if I get a contraction.’

‘It’s fine. I’m used to them. I’ll work around it.’

He went through everything that she could expect to feel, and as the next contraction came he put on gloves, waiting for the pain to diminish before the procedure commenced.

‘I’m sorry,’ Ben said suddenly.

‘It’s fine,’ Richard responded. ‘It’s awful to see someone you love in pain. However, by all accounts your partner has been doing marvellously. Let’s try and make this last bit a whole lot easier for her, shall we?’

Whoa! Freya thought as she held on to Kathy. He had somehow accepted the apology while reminding the husband just who this day was about.

‘Why don’t you come this side?’ Freya suggested to Ben. She knew he was really just terribly anxious. ‘You can hold Kathy’s hand.’

This time he didn’t shake his head and came and took his wife’s hand.

Richard worked quietly and soon the epidural was in. Kathy lay back on the delivery bed.

‘You’ll need to stay in bed now,’ Richard reminded her as he disposed of his sharps and then removed his gloves. ‘Thank you, Freya. Can I leave my mess to you? I believe I’m wanted in D3.’

‘Sure.’

Freya checked Kathy’s obs, and those of the baby, and by the time she had tidied up Kathy was indeed starting to feel the benefits of the epidural.

‘You should try and get a little rest now,’ Freya suggested. ‘I’ll be in and out, and there’s the call bell if you have any concerns at all.’

‘Freya!’

Her name was called the second she stepped out of the room. ‘Can you go and take the baby in D7?’

Freya nodded and headed to delivery suite number seven. ‘Taking’ a baby was wonderful indeed. It combined all the joy with barely a hint of the pain.

Stepping in to the delivery suite, she found the atmosphere was lovely and peaceful. Kelly, one of the other midwives was there, along with the soon-to-be father, who had his arms wrapped around his wife’s shoulders.

In fact Kelly was so calm that even when she told Freya that Dr Mina and the anaesthetist had been paged she did it in such an open way that there was no jolt of alarm from the mother.

‘The baby is small for the dates and the head is smaller than expected,’ she said, and Freya checked all the equipment was ready.

Despite the unexpectedly small head, everything seemed to be under control.

‘Try not to push, Sita,’ Kelly said. ‘Just pant.’

‘Okay,’ Sita said, and fought against the urge.

‘Good girl,’ said Kelly. Her focus was totally on the delivery, and she didn’t look over when the door opened.

‘Hello, there,’ Richard said quietly, and Kelly calmly told him the reason for him being paged.

‘Thirty-seven weeks and small for dates,’ Kelly explained.

The room was getting crowded. Stella had come in after Richard, followed by Dr Mina just as the head was delivered. And now there was Guy Masters, the paediatrician on call, whom Freya had already met.

‘Well done, Sita,’ Dr Mina said. ‘Just breathe and do as Kelly says. Dr Masters is a paediatrician and he’s here to check your baby.’

The head really was tiny, and Freya found she was holding her breath as the body slithered out. But even as she accepted him he started to cry. His huge eyes were blinking at the light and his little face was wrinkled.

He was utterly gorgeous, Freya thought as she held this tiny piece of the future in her hands. Tiny, but perfect. And as she rubbed him down Guy was already examining him.

‘One that is better out than in,’ Guy said.

The baby had clearly not been getting sufficient nutrition in-utero, but he was angry and defiant and utterly perfect.

‘I don’t think we need you, Richard,’ he said as loud cries pierced the room and the baby pinked up beautifully.

‘Not with those lungs,’ Richard agreed. And it was just as well he wasn’t needed because his pager was going off.

He left unnoticed by all, Freya thought. All except her.