Two months and a week later…
Kayla had just got home from work with the intention of laying down to grab a quick nap before she and Myles headed out to dinner. She was almost two weeks past her due date, and was now to the point where she felt more than tired of being pregnant. Up to this stage, she’d embraced every level and step of the pregnancy with ease and little complaint. Part of the reason was her Myles having made sure that her every need was met.
As she laid down on the couch, she tried to get as comfortable as her belly would allow her. She’d gained a ton of weight, and her stomach resembled a woman carrying twins which made sleeping difficult. “Come on Momma’s miracle we’re just going to take a quick catnap.”
Sometime later, she felt a kiss on her cheek and she woke up.
“I’m sorry Honey Bee, I didn’t mean to wake you. How are my babies?” Myles smiled down at her.
Kayla started to get up but had to let Myles help her stand cause she wasn’t able to complete the task. Once she got upright, she felt the need to go to the bathroom, but before she could take a step, she felt a stream of liquid gush down her legs. “Oh no, I’m peeing on myself.”
Smirking at her, he said, “Honey Bee that isn’t pee. Your water just broke.”
Before Kayla could register his words, a pain hit her in the back. “Oh, my god!” she said grabbing her back.
“Come on Honey Bee its time. We’ve got to get you to the hospital. I’ll call everyone on our way,” Myles told her.
Arriving at the hospital thirty-five minutes later, proved to be a painful journey for Kayla and a speed fest for Myles. He hated seeing Kayla in so much discomfort and wanted to get her to the hospital as quick as possible. “Ok, Honey Bee we’re here. Come on, let’s get you checked in,” he said as he walked with her in the hospital. Myles had called Dr. Kennedy, their parents, his sister, and Kayla’s sisters on the way.
Jocelyn, Reia, and Caressa had come to town a couple of days ago, anticipating Kayla’s doctor would schedule an induction since she was overdue, and they didn’t want to miss the birth. They all were staying at Rachel’s house and informed Myles that they would be leaving the house to head to the hospital.
Both sets of parents also advised that they would be leaving their homes headed to the hospital. Monica had been visiting his parents and would be coming with them.
Myles had been unable to reach Grandpa Feelgood, so he would have one of his parents try to contact him.
After checking Kayla’s cervix, Dr. Kennedy informed her and Myles that she was three centimeters dilated. For now, the pain seemed to be tolerable, so Kayla decided that the family could come in and see her before things got intense. “Myles, you better let our family in, you know how they get,” she said laughing.
“Are you sure you’re up for visitors Kayla?” he questioned.
“Yes, I’m sure. Right now…” She stopped to breathe through a contraction. “…Uh, yeah I’m sure, the pain isn’t so bad right now,” she finished.
Myles felt concerned as he wasn’t sure how he would get through this process of watching his wife in pain. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and then headed to the waiting room to tell their family she was allowing them to come in for a little bit. As he entered the room and took in his surroundings, he felt grateful for their family.
His and Kayla’s mother were pacing the floor both wearing worried expressions. Kayla’s sisters were huddled in the corner having what looked to be a serious conversation, and when he looked further, he saw that Monica was also apart of the dialog which pleased him as Monica didn’t have many girlfriends. His father and Kayla’s father sat watching all the commotion around them.
“Hey guys, Kayla is allowing you all to come in. Her pain is pretty manageable at this moment, and she was 3 centimeters dilated when the doctor checked her a little bit ago,” he informed them.
“Ok, let's go everyone as us women know how quickly manageable pain can turn into unmanageable. And I need to see my baby,” Regina stated as the group headed out of the waiting room headed to Kayla’s room.
Rounding the corner, Myles saw Dr. Kennedy and a couple of nurses racing toward Kayla’s room. He took off running toward the room with their family behind him. He met up with Dr. Kennedy.
“Someone is buzzing us awfully bad in there,” she stated as they entered the room.
Inside the room, Kayla had switched from manageable pain to unmanageable pain and was grimacing hard. “Myles!” she cried reaching for his hand.
He rushed to her side. “Baby, what’s going on? You were fine when I left,” he questioned as he began rubbing her stomach. His emotions were all over the place because there was nothing he could do to make this better for her. “Dr. Kennedy, what’s going on?” he inquired.
“The baby has some decelerations, let me check her and see where she is. Everyone, if you can step out for just a second,” Dr. Kennedy, informed the rest of the family. After the family stepped into the hall and closed the door, Dr. Kennedy checked Kayla’s cervix. “Alright you two, looks like baby Feelgood is anxious to meet all of the family gathered for his or her birthday. You’re now six centimeters dilated Kayla, but we’re going to keep an eye on the monitor to see how the baby handles the progression. So, don’t go too far Myles,” Dr. Kennedy stated as she washed her hands preparing to leave the room.
“Don’t worry Doc, I won’t be leaving this room or her side again,” Myles informed her.
“Okay, I’ll let your family back in for a little while,” Dr. Kennedy said opening the door.
Myles heard her tell them that they could come back in now and the first people to enter was their mothers.
“Oh my God, what’s going on? We’re all panicking now.” Catherine said waving her hands motioning to the group.
Before Myles or Kayla could answer, another contraction hit. “Oh, God!” Kayla cried.
Her tears caused her dad to grimace and fight his own tears. “I can’t watch this, I’m sorry I’ll be in the waiting room,” he said as he walked over and kissed Kayla’s forehead. “I’m sorry Baby girl, but I can’t see you in this much pain.”
“Yeah, uh this is a bit much. Hold up Anthony, I’ll join you,” Keith stated walking over to kiss Kayla’s cheek. “You’re in good hands Kayla,” he said patting Myles on the back with sympathy in his eyes for the younger man as he stepped away following her father out the door.
Kayla had gotten through the contraction and seemed to need to lighten the mood some, “Anybody else wanting to ditch me in my time of need? Damn, I thought Daddy was gonna start crying,” she said with a weak smile.
“Right, you sure know how to clear a room, Kayla. You got me squeezing my legs together and grabbing my stomach, and there’s nothing in there!” Rachel laughed out.
“Forget about your Daddy, Kayla how are you handling this?” Regina asked moving closer to the bed to stand on the other side of her. “Have you not had an epidural?”
“Mom—” Kayla attempted before another contraction hit, cutting her off.
“Damn, those contractions aren’t playing. Baby Feelgood is tired of being in close quarters now,” Reia stated.
Myles was growing concerned with every contraction that hit Kayla he hadn’t even thought about the epidural and wondered why no one had asked if she wanted one. “You know what, they’re gonna have to give her something. This is ridiculous. Hang on baby,” he said hitting the call button for the nurse.
Five minutes later, the nurse entered the room to answer the call. “What can I do for you Mrs. Feelgood?”
“I called, she needs an epidural. She can’t sit here in this pain anymore, and I’m not sure why no one asked her if she wanted something anyway,” Myles stated growing angry.
“I’m sorry, that was my oversight completely. Let me do a quick check and see if Mrs. Feelgood is still at six because the anesthesiologist won’t give her an epidural after that. Um, is it ok to check you with everyone in here, Mrs. Feelgood?” the nurse asked.
Myles had only heard, no epidural after six. “What do you mean they won’t give her anything if she’s beyond six? If the oversight was yours why should she have to pay for that?”
“Myles, please calm down,” Kayla said stroking his arm. “Yessss, it’s ok to check me with everyone here.” Her words slurred out as another contraction hit.
The nurse walked over and looked at the fetal monitor noticing the constant decelerations as the contractions advanced. “Um, I think I need to call Dr. Kennedy back in here,” she said walking quickly out of the room before questions could be raised.
Five frustrating minutes later, Dr. Kennedy entered the room “Kayla, although I haven’t been in I’ve been monitoring your progress from the monitors. And the nurse has also confirmed that the baby doesn’t seem to be handling the contractions, so if they continue, we’re gonna have to get you to the OR for a C-section. Let me check your cervix.” She put on gloves and checked her. “Alright, you’re now at eight centimeters, so that’s good, but I’m going to hang out…” she trailed off as Kayla had another contraction.
“Ahhhh, Myles—Myles—Jesus!” Kayla cried with the pain.
“Ok, I can’t do this anymore. Come on ladies, let’s go to the waiting room,” Jocelyn stated. She had been silently watching Kayla and like Anthony, seeing Kayla crying in pain was just too much, and she had delivered a baby.
“Yeah, we’re going to just wait out there. We love you Kayla,” Monica said as they all came over kissed Kayla and left the room just as another contraction hit.
Neither Regina or Catherine made attempts to leave the room as they decided they were going to be there for moral support if nothing else. Especially, since it appeared as if Myles was going to blow a gasket at any moment. He wasn’t handling Kayla being in pain very well, and they knew they could give him and Kayla what they needed to get through this labor. But a second after the last contraction hit, another one followed causing the baby’s heart rate to drop quickly, and it was slow to climb back up.
“I don’t like this, let’s get her to the OR. I’m getting this baby out of there now,” Dr. Kennedy told the nurse.
The room became chaotic as the nurse hit the emergency button and other nurses and aids flew into the room.
“Oh, God!” both Regina and Catherine yelled as they were ushered away from the bed as the aides unlocked it and began moving Kayla out of the room with the doctor, nurses, and Myles running behind.
Ten minutes later, Catherine and Regina ran into the waiting area crying and into their husband’s arms. Both women were crying so hard the group began panicking. “What’s going on Gina?” Anthony asked as he tried consoling her.
“They just rushed her to the OR Anthony. My baby. She had a couple of back to back contractions, and the baby’s heart rate dipped and took a minute to come back up. The doctor was still in the room and stated that she needed to get the baby out now. I’m so worried. My baby” she sobbed out.
“Alright everybody come on let’s pray for Kayla, Myles and the safe delivery of this baby,” Anthony said to the group.
In the operating room, Kayla was quickly administered an epidural and set up for the C-section. Myles had put on the surgical attire and sat next to her stroking her hair, his nerves were shot, but he needed to be strong for Kayla. “Honey Bee everything is going to be fine. Dr. Kennedy is going to get the baby out, and we’re going to be parents. I love you with all that I am. We got this,” he whispered in her ear.
“Myles, I’m scared,” she told him.
“I know you’re scared and so am I, but our baby is going to be fine. I want you to think positive thoughts and let’s prepare to be parents,” he repeated as he kissed her.
“Okay, you two, we’re ready and about to make the incision. I’ll have this baby out in a few minutes. Kayla, you’re going to feel some tugging as I grab the baby, it’s completely normal,” Dr. Kennedy warned as she started cutting Kayla.
Five minutes later, Dr. Kennedy informed them, “Alright, baby’s out.”
Kayla looked at Myles and smiled. “So what do we have babe?”
Then before he could ask, Dr. Kennedy held up the baby and said, “Here is your daughter,” as the baby took its first cry.
Kayla began to cry along with their daughter.
“You did it Honey Bee. Thank you for gifting me with the most precious gift a man could ask for. I love you,” Myles said choked up by the sight of their daughter.
“Myles, if you head over to the incubator, they’ll let you cut the cord,” Dr. Kennedy informed him. “I’m gonna close up Kayla but congratulations, you two.”
Myles kissed Kayla’s forehead and walked over to where they were tending to his daughter. He cut the cord and stood there taking in how beautiful she was. She was a lighter shade of brown than Kayla, curly dark hair, and blue eyes. Glancing at the weight scale, he laughed as his baby girl was a chunker. He was in love and couldn’t wait for all the things in store for them. But he saw that his little girl had a temper as she was wailing and kicking her legs, unhappy about the process of cleaning her up. Laughing, he grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry Sweet Pea, Daddy is right here.”
After the nurse finished cleaning her up, she handed her over to Myles, so he could hold her and take her to Kayla with every step back over to Kayla, his chest expanded. He was in heaven. “Honey Bee, I’d like you to meet your daughter,” he said lowering her down, so Kayla could kiss her as he held her close to her face while Dr. Kennedy finished stitching her up.
“Oh Myles, she’s so beautiful. Thank you, babe,” Kayla said kissing her daughter.
The nurse then came over and informed them that she needed to get the baby to the nursery, so they could get her cleaned up and ready to come to Kayla’s room.
Kayla looked over at him. “Myles, go let the family know that she’s here but tell them we’ll give them her name and weight details together.”
“Okay, Honey Bee. I’ll see you in a few,” he said kissing her and then followed the nurse out of the room.
Thirty minutes later, Kayla was in the room she’d be in for the duration of her stay. As she looked around at the spacious room, she realized that being the wife of a doctor had its perks. “Myles, this room is huge. But anyway, before we let our families come meet our daughter, we need to decide on her name. And you didn’t even tell me how much she weighed what’s up with that?” she inquired wiggling her eyebrows at him.
Laughing he replied, “I’m sorry Honey Bee, I was so caught up in the moment I forgot. It looks like we might need to stockpile food cause our baby girl loves to eat. She weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long,” he informed her. “What should we name her?”
“Oh, my goodness, I’m not sure if I’ll have enough milk to keep little Miss Feelgood fed. Sheesh. Uh, I’ve been thinking, and I would like to name her Maisha Nicole. Is that okay with you?” she stated.
“Baby, I love it. Maisha Nicole, it is. And look, here she comes now,” he said as the nurse wheeled the crib into the room. “How long before we let the family in? Our mothers weren’t happy with waiting for details. It seems as if they had meltdowns after you were wheeled into the operating room. If we make them wait any longer, they’re going to lose it. Can we put them out of their misery, please?”
“Yes, I guess we can’t keep them waiting much longer. Go get the group, but hand me Miss Maisha please.”
Fifteen minutes later, Kayla and Myles were surrounded by their family and preparing to introduce their daughter to the group and the group to their daughter. “Alright everyone, we’d like you to meet the newest member of the Feelgood family,” Myles announced, holding Maisha up like Mufusa held up Simba in the Lion King. “Here is Maisha Nicole Feelgood, weighing in at 8 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long!”
Oohs and ahhs broke out around the room as everyone took turns passing her around. Of course, the grandmothers were first to hold her, and both had to be forced to share her with the rest of them.
Kayla was smiling as they held her daughter truly happy about the feelings coursing through her.
“So, you all know that little Maisha is MY Goddaughter, right? I don’t want any questions about this thing,” Rachel said.
“We KNOW Rachel. You’ve only been reminding us for the last two months or so,” Jocelyn said as Reia and Caressa shook their heads.
Smirking, Rachel looked at baby Maisha, “We’re going to give them Hell aren’t we Maisha?”
Myles looked at Kayla. “What did you do to us, baby? You do know she’s going to corrupt our daughter, right?” he asked as the group began laughing.
Before she could respond, Maisha starting whining.
“That’s right, and so it begins, give them Hell Maisha,” Rachel said passing her off to Kayla.