The Big Day

Posted on 11 Aug 2014 @ 12:31am by Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lian Zhao & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas & Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D.
Edited on on 01 Mar 2016 @ 3:48pm

2,238 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Section 30, Room 15 - Min & Jared's Quarters && Deck 3 -Sickbay
Timeline: MD09 - 0200

ON:

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Min & Jared's Quarters, Deck 3, USS Galileo
0200 hours - MD09

Min couldn't sleep. For the past hour she'd been experiencing what she thought were braxton-hicks contractions, a normal thing for late stage pregnancy as it meant her body was preparing for the day she would bring the child inside her into the world. The past few nights, the contractions came and went, typically lasting a few minutes at most then she'd be able to relax for a while.

Tonight, however, they weren't going away, and they'd been increasing in frequency and severity most of the evening. She'd told Jared before he passed out these were probably just more of the same but even she was beginning to wonder.

Feeling a strong urge to get up, Min slipped the covers off her legs and stood up. Walking over to the bathroom for a glass of water, she made it most of the way before a sudden cramping sensation overtook her body. The cramp felt like a really bad gas cramp and she grunted a little from the discomfort. What happened next however, was anything but a gas cramp.

Almost immediately, Min felt a second cramp, a lot more painful this time, forcing her to lean up against the doorjamb of the bathroom. A strange popping sensation inside her tummy, almost like a rubber band breaking, was quickly followed a rush of fluid escaping her body, soaking her legs and underwear.

Another cramp overcame her, her body expelling a bit more fluid this time but not nearly as much. Tonight is the night, she thought. Making it to the bathroom, she grabbed a towel and carefully wiped her legs. Folding up another one, Min held it against her body to absorb any further leaks while she awkwardly went back into their sleeping quarters.

Going to Jared's side of the bed, Min gave him a shake, followed very quickly by a much more urgent one.

Jared had been having a dream that hadn't quite turned into a nightmare. He was being pursued by some unknown enemy, but at that point they hadn't turned into a real threat. Then something was shaking him, rather forcibly shaking him and his eyes slowly opened.

He gave Min a rather clueless stare. Then slowly some form of realization hit him. "Wh... What's wrong?' he asked, though had half guessed at the truth.

"I'm pretty sure my water just broke." She sat down on the bedside, bending over, clutching her stomach, her eyes closed as she forced herself to breath slowly through the pain as another contraction interrupted their exchange. About a minute or so later she looked at Jared. "I'm also pretty sure I'm in labor. These aren't braxton-hicks contractions anymore."


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Sickbay, Deck 3, USS Galileo
0215 hours

Gamma shift. Allyndra's time, her time to read, to study, to research. Very little usually went on during this time and the peace and quiet was one reason she had come to love it. The extra time allowed her to focus on whatever scientific questions caught her mind.. She needed to catch up on some research, but lately the book from Akkadia had occupied most of her time She was engrossed in her studies when the distinct sound of the sickbay doors opening caught her attention.

Allyndra put the book aside and as she stood she could already see Zhao and Nicholas entering. It did not take much more than the sight of the two and Zhao clutching at her abdomen to figure out that something was terribly wrong or terribly right.

Hurrying out of the office she called out, "Biobed One, let's get her there." Biobed One was the special bed designed for surgery and equipped with the very best sensors and attendant equipment. Already she slipped on a surgical gown as she asked, "What has happened?"

Min, assisted by Jared and Allyndra, climbed up onto the biobed and lay back down on it. "I think the baby is coming. Been having contractions for several hours and my water broke maybe 10 minutes ago." She grimaced in pain as another contraction took hold in her body, doing her best to breathe as the pain coursed through her lower body. Min waited for it to pass. "Just like that."


Allyndra nodded, taking in the information. "You're not quite at ten centimeters yet but things seem to be progressing rapidly. Baby is in the correct position." Allyndra then got a hypo ready and checked it before handing it to Jared. "This is an analgesic. If she wants or needs it just a simple press. I have calibrated it so that you can do no more than three which I feel is the safe maximum understood?"

Jared moving in slow motion, nodded and took the hypo from the woman. He wasn't sure that Min would want any drugs, and he wasn't about to inject her with anything without her permission. He knew the doctor meant well, but she really didn't know Min. Still hanging on to the hypo couldn't hurt. He half-considered giving himself an injection. He needed something to relax him.


"Now, perhaps a bit of hand holding and then when she is fully dilated, some coaching on the push would be appreciated." Allyndra told Jared and then took another look at the readings. Everything seemed more or less normal, just things moving faster. A thought struck her, "Computer, please play traditional Bajoran birthing percussion and add incense to the air please."

"I remember something about percussion and incense helping the birthing process and helping keep the endorphin levels from getting toxic. Yours are high but still nothing I am worried about," Allyndra smiled and then mentally added, "yet."

Min grimaced as another contraction took hold. Riding that out she looked at Jared. "I don't want a hypo Jared. Just natural."

Jared laid a comforting hand on her forehead, he knew enough to not try to contradict her, "You heard her Doc. No drugs." he set they hypo down and closed his hand around hers.

Min squeezed Jared's hand. "Thank you."

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Sickbay, Deck 3, USS Galileo
0345 hours

Min sat back down in the chair, propping her legs up with Jared's help as the contractions increased in duration and intensity, while at the same time getting closer together. She squeezed Jared's hand as a particularly strong contraction caused her to almost cry out in pain. Jared resisted the urge to grimace as his hand was squeezed his hand more than little firmly. "Try to relax," he told her, "just focus on breathing. In and out, just like we practiced."

Min nodded, focusing on her breath moving in and out of her body, ignoring the pain she felt in her abdomen as the baby's head pressed against her womb, stretching Min's body in preparation for the final moments of birth.

"It is going to be okay," Jared repeated, "just focus on me. Remember this is the shortest phase right now. We're almost done."

"You might want to give her some ice chips, but you are doing quite well," said Allyndra, carefully monitoring the scans. The endorphin levels from the Bajoran part were starting to get high but unless it got worse there was no reason to panic the mother any further.

Finally, Min was dilated enough and Allyndra noted a good strong contraction and the baby making the final presentation for birth. "Here we go!" she said excitedly. She had done this with the simulators but this was her first real 'live' birth. It always seemed so hard and painful compared to the Akkadian way. "Alright next good contraction I want to start pushing. Jared you're her coach at this point. Everything appears fine."

When the next contraction came, Min bore down, pushing hard for all she was worth. The pain she was feeling was intense in a way she couldn't describe. Crying out as she pushed, the contraction continued for several more seconds.

Letting out a groan as the contraction subsided, Min lay back in the birthing chair, focusing on her breathing.

"She's almost here Min. just one more push or two. Just squeeze my hand again if hurts too much." Jared tried to reassure her. "I'm here for you, just try to relax, it will all be over soon."

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Sickbay, Deck 3, USS Galileo
0510 hours

"The baby is beginning to crown," Allyndra could just see the head and it's somewhat frustrating movement out and sometimes back but that was normal enough. Again, she took a few moments to gaze at the scans, but so far nothing worse then before. Finally, out came the head and just a hint of the shoulders. "One last good push now, mom," Allyndra said quietly but with some authority.

Min was exhausted from all the pushing she'd been doing the past few hours but gave it another push as best she could. The burning sensation in her body around the baby's head eased off as her daughter's head came out into the world. Min gave a frustrated and tired cry during her last push, which thankfully was enough and the rest of her daughter slipped out into the world, caught in Allyndra's hands.

Allyndra caught the baby and deftly cleared the mouth just as the newborn began to wail its arrival into the world. She then took care of the umbilical and wrapped the child and carried it to Min. "A beautiful daughter," Allyndra said with a smile. "Even if she does not have compound eyes," she said jokingly.

There was a small reluctant moment as she wanted to hold the baby longer. She had never held any of her children and a sudden pang went through her. It was not hers though, her mind exerted itself and she still had work to do while mother, daughter and father all bonded in this most special moment.

Min smiled weakly at Allyndra as she took her daughter in her arms for the first time. Holding the newborn against her chest, Min leaned back in the birthing chair, enjoying the quiet moment with her daughter while Jared stood beside her. The pain of the last few hours was quickly forgotten as she held the newborn in her arms. The months of carrying the little one inside her, were worth every minute. A line of sweat appeared on Jared's forehead. He was tired, but he knew that Min was worse off. He moved to stand beside her so he could be next to her daughter, their daughter, "Oh, my God," he gushed, "She's so cute."

Min ran her hand gently over her daughter's hair before reluctantly handing her to Jared. "She's beautiful."

Jared carefully took the newborn cradling her in his arms and making sure he protected her neck. He kissed her gently on the forehead and then reached down and did the same to his (future?) wife. "You did a good job."

Allyndra quietly withdrew to monitor Min's vital signs. She had the replicator make a nice pink blanket and matching cap for the baby and then checked one last time on everything. "All looks good, now you need rest. I will monitor from the office so you two can have your private time." Allyndra patted Min's shoulder and then moved it toward the baby but stopped. For a moment she wondered what it would be like but she only smiled wanly and turned pausing only long enough to put the gown into the recycler.

"I love you, Min, and I love our daughter."

Min let out an exhausted but content sigh. "I love you too Jared." Min paused. "I know it's my choice but does the name Lian Meru Nicholas sound?"

"I like that, Min, especially the Nicholas part. It's a perfect name for her."

"She's named after her great grandmother. And Meru is a Bajoran name that translated means blossom. As much as I despise her father, she doesn't deserve to be kept from her heritage."

"Of course not," Jared responded, "she is not responsible for his actions. She should know all about her heritage. And she needs to know all about it. No secrets."

Min lay back on the bed, holding Lian in her arms. "Go get some rest Jared. It's been a big day for the three of us."

Awakened by the commotion and kept awake by the ongoing tumult in sickbay, T'Vanna worked herself up into a sitting position. She smiled as she saw Min lying close by, cradling an infant of her own. Her eyes strayed to the crib next to her own bed. "Such a wonder, isn't it?" she whispered to the other wonder. She'd been in sickbay since the previous evening, and hopefully, would be allowed out of bed in the morning.

Min looked over, noticing T'Vanna for the first time since she'd arrived. She smiled at the other women. "You too?"

The Vulcan woman nodded. "A daughter, Emmaline."

Min nodded sleepily. "Same. Lian Meru." Min placed Lian back down in her crib, stroking the little girl's head one last time. "Time for a nap."

T'Vanna nodded and settled herself again before closing her eyes.

END:



JP by

Lt Min Zhao
Chief of Operations
USS Galileo

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Asst Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

LCDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

With creative input from Brian (Tuula Voutilainen's writer)

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