Avenging Us - Gina Whitney Page 0,36
explaining, and I nodded, understanding it all so far. “And if you’d like to see the birth, you can peek around the drape. Your role is to keep your wife calm and offer support. She’s been asking for you,” she said, grabbing a chair and placing it beside Beauty.
A young man in green scrubs walked over, introducing himself. “I’m Dr. Nelson, the anesthesiologist.” He turned to address Gia. “If there’s anything you need or if you feel anything at all, let me know. At any given time, we can always put you under general anesthesia, but then he has to leave,” he explained and then directed his attention back to me. “She shouldn’t feel anything, so don’t worry; it’s perfectly safe for her and the baby.”
Dr. Mills leaned around the curtain. “We’re going to begin,” he said and disappeared again. Gia was shaking uncontrollably, and I thought her body was going to jump off the table.
“It’s just the anesthesia and cool temperature. Again, perfectly normal,” Dr. Nelson explained as he continued to monitor Gia’s heart rate.
I was too nervous to sit and pretend this was a casual experience, and I wasn’t about to lose my fucking mind. I turned and spoke to her for the first time in thirty minutes. She still looked out of it, but was trying her hardest to smile. “What can I do?” I asked, feeling so helpless.
“What you do best…be my rock,” she whispered, and the choking feeling squeezed my throat. I swallowed trying to breath past it. However, it continued to squeeze, squeeze…squeeze.
“Always, my love. We’ll get through this…I promise.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek.
The team was eager to start the surgery and the first incision was made. I winced and held in a gasp. Beauty’s hand squeezed mine, giving me what little comfort she had. An alarm sounded and I jumped in panic. It became evident how important removing the baby at that moment was.
Gia shrieked, and the surgical assistant asked, “Can you feel anything?” She shook her head but didn’t verbally answer. Tears rolled down both of her cheeks.
“She’s good,” the assistant said aloud, and then they continued.
She gasped for air and her head lolled to each side. “What’s going on?” I yelled. “She can’t breathe!” I continued as she continued to gasp frantically for air. The anesthesiologist said that this was a normal side effect from the epidural. She couldn’t take a deep breath, and now her breathes were tiny, rapid pants.
The nurse shouted to give her some Valium, and then turned, directing me to rub her arms…explaining how important touch was in a situation like this. This was something I knew about. The importance of stimulation. I rubbed her arms and cheeks, cooing endearments. And I prayed like hell. Please, dear god…
“Abel, there’s going to be some pulling. Hold her steady,” the doctor yelled beyond the sheet. I looked down at Beauty, and her eyes fluttered. I moved above her head with the anesthesiologist to her side. I held, and they pulled. Her body was tugged across the table.
Silence.
I waited…one eye on Beauty, and the other toward the fabric barrier. The doctor held the baby up and I leaned over the sheet. The baby appeared lifeless for a moment or two as they sucked the mucus from the tiny mouth and nose. I held my breath and watched while they rubbed my baby to stimulate it. I threw up a silent prayer. Please let the baby be okay. Please, I prayed. Slowly, a pink glow continued to grow along the baby’s skin. And then she uttered her first cry of protest.
My heart swelled and tears welled up in my eyes.
“Pressure’s dropping,” someone yelled across the small space.
“She’s hemorrhaging—badly.” The doctor called to his team and they sprang into action. “We need to get this bleeding under control. Get him out of here.”
“Hemorrhaging?” I looked down at Gia’s grey face, her hand lifeless in my hand. “I’m not leaving her. I can’t. I promised.” My breath caught in my chest and I couldn’t breathe. It hurt too much.
“Come with us, Mr. Gunner. We’re taking your daughter to the NICU, and you can hold her there,” the nurse said warmly, and offered me a peek at my daughter’s little swaddled body.
She was perfect, and her wide-opened eyes landed on mine. How could I choose? There was no choice. I had to stay for beauty…for me…for our daughter. I shook my head, trying to blink the tears free.
“Please, we’re trying to