Chapter 5

“He’s perfect!” Wendy remarked as Dan laid him in her arms. “Thank you, Dan, for loving me!”

“You’re quite welcome!” He grinned. They admired the new life in her arms, wrapped in a light blue blanket and matching cap to keep him warm.

Jean stood, stretching her arms and legs. “It wouldn’t hurt to breastfeed him for a few minutes while waiting for your second baby. Your milk has a special ingredient called colostrum, which is rich in nutrients and contains antibodies to help protect him from infections, help his digestive tract, and aid in his first poop. I cannot stress enough how important it is for your baby to breastfeed, even if only for a day or two. In some cultures, women are known to share breastfeeding duties with other babies.”

“I love breastfeeding my babies of all ages.” Wendy smiled at Dan and Karen. Doctor Clements gave them a curious stare.

His tiny mouth instinctively searched for her exposed nipple and latched on for his first feeding. “He’s definitely his father’s son; he knows where the boob is even with his eyes closed,” she joked.

“Now that has got to be the most innocent yet most powerful sight in the world,” Dan smiled.

“I’ll have to make sure I have plenty of milk for both our babies,” she smiled. She watched as he wrapped his tiny fingers around her forefinger.

“You’ll be able to supplement breastfeeding with glucose water, which is important for brain growth and developing his energy. You can then supplement your milk with a good baby formula.”

A moment later, Wendy was brought back to reality with a sudden twitching. “I feel like Robert will soon have company.”

The nurse came and took the baby, laying him in his bed.

“Okay, Wendy, time to deliver baby number two,” Jean said, taking her seat.

“This may feel a little uncomfortable, but I have to break the second baby’s water.” Her gloved right hand slipped a long, thin tool with a hook on the end inside Wendy. She guided it between her fingers and snagged the thin membrane of the amniotic sac that had been its home for close to nine months, giving it a slight tear.

Immediately, the clear liquid flowed and dribbled from her vagina. “Nurse, can you replace the pad under Wendy?” She asked. Wendy managed to lift her bum, and a clean, dry pad was put in place.

The other monitor echoed the heartbeat of their second baby as Wendy experienced more contractions. “Your blood pressure is staying slightly elevated, which is acceptable.”

“More ice chips, please,” she asked, and Karen held the lip of the cup to her mouth.

“Usually the second one delivers quicker than the first; I can see the top of its head,” Jean mentioned. “When you feel a contraction, I want you to push!”

Wendy was comforted by Dan and Karen as the next twitches seized her abdomen. She made a grimace as she pushed. She slumped back, took deep breaths, and prepared for the next one.