Rigours and Rewards 18

Francie folded with the first contraction .Sam had watched her eyes widen as the amniotic fluid soaked her dress.The contractions began immediately as if a starter pistol had been fired.She could tell this time was not going to move at the pace of her first birth.Arlis and Donny went to the spring to occupy Donny as Sam and Suzanne took Francie to their med unit .Sam felt the rush of adrenaline as the birth swiftly progressed.Suzanne alternating from comforter to coach to drill sargeant.Sam would rest on the nearby cot between Francies contractions as he had not fully gotten his sea legs before the storm broke. Next to the patient was layed out anything Suzanne had imagined might be needed.Needle and thread that had been soaked in alcohal ,a ear syringe to clear the babies airway.A receiving blanket made from an old worn flannel shirt Scavanged on one of Arlises late night forays into the nearest town that was all but deserted now.String to tie the cord and scissors to sever the lifeline between mother and child.Having this baby naturally Francie set about the process with steely resolve.Hell yes it hurt,but the pain reflected in Suzannes face was as awful as what she herself was going through.When the baby began to crown Sam was called to officiate as Francie pushed against the wall of the cave and Suzanne pressed upon her rounded abdomen with each contraction soon with only a little manuevering the babies shoulders were cantilevered out and within seconds a little girl was there before them.Susanne began rubbing softly with the flannel at the babies torso and suctioning her nose and throat and with this constant irritation so rudely offered as a welcome a wail of protest ensued. Sam collapsed on his cot as Suzanne followed his spoken instruction to massage the uteras to help to deliver the placenta and staunch further bleeding . In short order after the delivery complete the exhausted mother drifted off as Suzanne cleaned the baby and dressed her to present to Francie upon awakening.Sam had been such a support in navigating this unknown terrain.He himself now rested as he sipped the cup of strong sweetened tea Suzanne brought to him."Thanks Sam,I could not have done it without you" ."Nonsense he replied I have worked with professionals that could have done no better."When Francie awoke her baby girl slept next to her in the crib Arlis made. .What will you name her Suzanne asked.Her name will be Samantha Suzanne She softly said and smiled at them.