I inhaled shakily.
“Out through your mouth.”
I obeyed.
“Good. When the next contraction comes, you’re going to feel the urge to push. Listen to your body.”
She adjusted slightly.
“Bear down like you’re having the biggest bowel movement of your life.”
The analogy would’ve made me laugh under different circumstances.
“Long pushes.”
“Strong pushes.”
“Chin to chest.”
“Curl around your baby.”
I nodded weakly.
My fingers clenched the side rails of the hospital bed.
My knuckles turned white from the pressure.
Then—
It hit.
A contraction.
Sudden.
Powerful.
It tightened deep inside me and radiated downward like explosive pressure building to release.
The midwife leaned closer.
“Here it comes... deep breath in...”
I inhaled.
“Hold it...”
I held.
“Push! One... two... three... keep going!”
I groaned.
Low.
Primal.
Every muscle in my body engaged.
