Cut... The Cord

Writers: AL, Chelle, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th March 2015

Characters: Benani, Zathris, Chupsin, Yanley, K'ale
Description: Baby time for Benani.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: D'ale, Zelanka

Benani

Zathris

Yanley

K'ale

It was the early morning and he had just finished his first mug of
klah. Chupsin was ready for a long day. Just then, a drudge burst into
the room. "Sir, the Lady Holder is starting her labors!" That was
enough to spur the healer into action. Grabbing what he needed, he
directed an apprentice to have certain medicines ready and at hand
should he need them. And then he was gone, heading down the corridors
as fast as his feet could carry him. Tourniquet began to hum when they
got close.

Zathris was, of course, present, having been awoken before even his
usual time. Once it was obvious that labour was truly settling in
rather than teasing them only to retreat, he had sent for Chupsin.
After that notification, Zathris had quickly written a note to Yanley
in the hopes that she might be willing and able to come and support
her sister. "Keep breathing, Benani." The last thing they needed was
for her to pass out because she wasn't getting enough air.

When Yanley got the flit message, she was ready to go. Of course she
was going, it was Benani's birth, her favourite sisters. She sent a
reply and then started to arrange a ride. D'ale was occupied, but
perhaps K'ale could take her? She also needed to find someone to look
over Daley while she was gone. Change of clothes and few other things
were tossed into a bag. Bram got a job to deliver a word for D'ale.
Yanley just hoped she wouldn't be late.

D'ale was wrapped up in meetings but he had Torerath summon Imalkyth
and K'ale soon showed up to escort Yanley to Amber Hills. "I'll wait
for you," he offered.

Benani breathed heavily on the bed holding one of her ladies hands as
she dealt with another contraction. Long deep breaths as the midwife
had instructed, she concentrated on an embroidered heart on the bed's
canopy and slowly the contraction subsided. She turned and smiled at
her husband.

It didn't take long after K'ale came to reach Amber Hills hold. One of
Zelanka's assistant appeared to guide her. "Am I in time?" she asked,
breathless, when she arrived.

Chupsin had long since arrived and examined the Lady Holder. He let the
midwife count the contractions and provide Benani with water while he
watched the labor progress. She wasn't ready for pushing yet so he was
readying himself. Seeing Yanley, he brightened. "Aye Lady...it hasn't
decided to come yet."

"Good, I would be hate be late when Daley's cousin is born.
Benani-dear, how are you doing?" Yanley said and took a place next to
the bed.

"Alright so far," she smiled up at her sister. "Glad you could come
Yanley." Then she lay back against the pillows and took a deep breath
as her body began another contraction. She reached out for her
sister's hand. "I'm very glad you're here," she breathed.

"I'm glad to be here," Yanley replied and hold her hand.

Benani's body knew it's work and so did the Lady. This time was not as
difficult as the first and she worked with instead of against the
contractions. Her sister's presence and support helped her as her labor
progressed. Finally after several candlemarks she lay panting against
her pillows while one of her ladies mopped her brow with a cool cloth.
"Soon m'lady," she said softly. "You're almost there."

Then her body was gripped by the sensation and her eyes popped open.
She yelled for Chupsin. "I have to push!"

The ups and downs of labour had honestly been a mystery to him. He
hadn't realized that there could be a calm among the storm, but there
was - and it was intermittent. At Benani's sudden announcement, however,
any and all fatigue was whisked away and he leaned forward to grasp
her hand. "The baby's coming?" Yeah, stupid question.

Later babies usually came quicker than the first. Chupsin had been timing
her contractions and watching as she dilated. She was fully gone now and
by the speed of the contractions, it was indeed time. He pulled a
stool forward to sit on at the end of the bed. Nodding to Yanley, he
brought Benani forward where he could catch the baby. "From now on,
push with the contractions. It shouldn't be too much longer until the
crowning. When you're not pushing, breathe."

The women were expected to keep her cool with moistened cloths and the
healer continued to watch for signs of distress. So far-everything was
normal.

"You're doing fine, dear," Yanley encouraged. "At least it's not
taking 20 candlemarks, like with Daley."

She nodded and leaned against her husband. His strength right there
behind her helped her deal with this whole thing emotionally. He'd
been nothing but supportive from the day she'd told him of the
pregnancy thought they both new the possibilities. She chuckled at his
question and squeezed his hand gently. Then she felt the next
contraction building. She breathed a few times deeply before she
curled forward and pushed with all her might. A low growling sound
came from her throat and she gripped the two hands she held like a the
vice that gripped her belly.

Should he do something? Was he supposed to say something else? The
most Zathris could think to do was murmur words of encouragement and
let her crush his hand without making a peep himself. He had no idea
what birth had been like before, and while it was fascinating, he
couldn't help but think that he was very grateful he'd never have to
go through _that_.

Finally the contraction eased and she leaned back against Zathris
panting heavily. From experience she knew she was almost there.

The baby's head was there and Chupsin was glad to see that it seemed
like a regular shape-no abnormalities. "Allright Benani, only two more pushes
probably and we'll have it." He nodded to Yanley to have the blanket
ready as well as the things needed to clean the newborn. This one
wouldn't be an Heir but was still Blood nonetheless.

Yanley nodded back at Chupsin and soon had everything ready to receive
the baby. It was amazing how easy it was to fall back to her old
nurse-job. It also made her realize that she missed working at the
infirmary.

Fascinating, simply fascinating. Granted, it was a lot of work on
Benani's part, but Zathris couldn't help but be awed by the whole
process. "The baby's almost here." He murmured as he allowed her to
put as much weight on him as she wanted. "Not long now, you're almost
there. Keep it up."

"Almost," she agreed with a tired smile. Then the next contraction
came. She pushed as hard as she could and then ended up leaning
against her husband once again.

Ah lovely. There it was. Chupsin saw the head and then watched it come
closer. Supporting the tiny wet body with his hands, he guided it easily. No
problems it seemed so far. He could feel the life in the form. It
wasn't blue nor still. There was blood, but not too much. As Benani
bore down, the body slipped free and Chupsin grabbed the blanket from
Yanley as he wrapped it,
checking airways and waiting to hear that first important cry.

When it came, he caught Zathris' attention. "Would you like to cut the
cord, my Lord?"

"Cut...the cord?" What on Pern? "But...what if I hurt the baby?"

Yanley laughed happily. "Men! No, it doesn't hurt. The circulation in
umbilical cord has already stopped, so it's just lifeless flesh now."

"I can do it if you'd rather not," Chupsin offered in response to
Yanley's slight ridicule. He knew this was only the second birthing
Zathris had been a part of and he'd been pushed out of the way for
most of the first.

Finally, exasperated Benani blurted out "Anyone going to tell me what it is?"

Last updated on the March 30th 2015

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Cut... The Cord