"The contractions have started, but the amniotic fluid hasn't broken yet," Camille reported seriously. "The situation is not ideal; we can't rule out the possibility of a cesarean section."
Elder Arufa nodded, his face showing concern. "Natural childbirth is the best, but if necessary, go for a cesarean."
"I understand," Camille furrowed her brows. "It's likely to be a prolonged battle."
The atmosphere became instantly serious due to Camille's words.
Emery, Edmund, and the other boys stood on the second floor, nervously watching. These boys, usually playful and unserious, now had serious expressions on their faces.
I stood there somewhat puzzled because, in my world, giving birth was an extremely simple matter, or so I thought. However, I was wrong. My understanding of childbirth was too superficial, stuck only at the "result of birth," thinking it was straightforward. In reality, it was not easy. Unaware of the "process of birth," I didn't expect that after waiting, it would already be evening! A full five hours!
In my imagination, it was supposed to be like on television. My concept of childbirth was also shaped by TV dramas. The expectant mother starts having contractions, screams for a while, is taken into the delivery room, and with a bang, the baby is born. But I never expected Jessie's childbirth to take so long! From the beginning of contractions until now, it was already evening, and she was still in labor!
Reality and imagination indeed had a gap!
Camille and her medical team initially came out to report every half an hour, then every fifteen minutes, and now it was every five minutes. As a result, I heard a term I had never known would be used in childbirth: the pubic bone.
I didn't even understand what it meant. I only heard Celeste asking, "Is it dilated? How many fingers? It seems that the area has to dilate to a certain extent before childbirth, but Jessie, despite having favorable conditions for a natural birth, chose not to have a cesarean section."
It was truly agonizing! For the first time, I felt a strong sense of respect for mothers. After experiencing childbirth firsthand, I realized how great mothers are!
My nose tingled, and I thought of my own mother. She once told me that giving birth to me was difficult, but when I curiously asked her about the details, she brushed it aside with a sweet and happy smile, saying only one thing: "When you were born, I felt like the happiest person alive."
Tears welled up uncontrollably, and I lowered my face to secretly wipe them away, not wanting others to see my worries.
Suddenly, I thought of my second sister, who was also pregnant. It was almost evening, and I needed to take her out for a stroll; otherwise, she would become anxious.Actually, I knew that I just wanted an excuse to sneak away and cry quietly.
"Elder Arufa, I'll go bring some food for Second sister first," I said to Elder Arufa, and he nodded. "By the way, bring her along to see. She's going to be a mother too," Elder Arufa's words surprised both Celeste and Uncle Ominic.
"Elder Arufa!" Celeste wanted to say something but was stopped by Elder Arufa. Her face showed the same concern as Uncle Ominic's.
"It's okay; I believe in Second sister's maternal instincts," Elder Arufa's words were warm, portraying him as a wise elder with a broad and understanding heart, much like the universe.
I hurriedly ran back to the mechanical repair warehouse. Second sister was already pacing anxiously, but it was different from her usual restroom walks.
When she needed to use the restroom, she would walk around for a while, sit for a while, a usual back-and-forth. But today, she was just lingering there, like someone anxious. I had never seen her like this before.
"Second sister, we're going out," I cleared a path for her, but when she reached the door, she stopped for a moment, her face turning from side to side, as if confirming some direction.Second sister was acting unusual today.
"Second sister, what's wrong?" I asked.
She locked onto a direction and began walking quickly. At the intersection, she suddenly turned! Not toward the exit, but toward the western area where everyone lived!Could she be sensing something, a connection between pregnant women? After all, the Flying Corpse Monsters had sensing abilities far superior to humans.
Sure enough, she headed straight to place.
"Ah———" When we approached, a wailing cry reached our ears. That heart-wrenching scream made me shiver, and I would never think of childbirth as simple as it seemed on TV.
Second sister also tensed up, her pale eyes fixed on Mei's room. A nervous expression appeared on her face, and she instinctively reached out with both hands, touching her still-flat abdomen.
The body of Flying Corpse Monsters was significantly different from ours humans. Not to mention their wings, their sternum seemed to be a bit less, lightening the weight of their upper bodies.
So, under their sternum, there was a concave belly, like a yogi suddenly inhaling, causing the skin on their abdomen to retract as if sticking to the back.
"Don't worry..." I touched Second sister's arm. "Childbirth... will be quick..."
"Ah———" I hadn't finished speaking when another scream echoed. I was wrong."The amniotic fluid broke!" Camille hurriedly ran out, but she wore a joyful expression. "Gregory! Come in quickly!"
"Yes!" A boy from the medical team outside Jessie's room rushed in and quickly entered the room.
Second sister and I walked back to the long table. I looked at the boy who went in and asked in confusion, "Why did a boy go in?"
"To help with the pain," Asna explained, still nervously watching Jessie's room. "Gregory has the ability to transfer others' pain, so he became a member of the medical team. It's very useful during childbirth."
What? There's an ability to share pain?!
I was silently surprised. It turned out that Noah City's abilities weren't only limited to the DR and the exploration team; there were many ability users hidden in various professions in Noah City, and their abilities were diverse.
After Gregory went in for a while, we heard, "Ah————"
A man's voice.
"Ah——Ah——" The agonizing screams of a man came from inside, even more heart-wrenching than before. It seemed that the pain before was nothing compared to now, entering the real deal! It gave the illusion that a man was giving birth.
"Ah!" Suddenly, a painful cry came from Second sister's side. I immediately looked at her, and she curled up in pain, hands covering her abdomen.
I became nervous immediately, my heart pounding! Is she going into labor? It's impossible! Because Second sister's belly hasn't really grown!
Elder Arufa, Asna, Celeste, Uncle Ominic, and everyone looked towards us. Second sister fell uncomfortably, and I panicked, "Second sister! Second sister! What's happening?!" Second sister's size was too large, and I couldn't support her. The people around couldn't come over in time.
"She must be too nervous!" Edmund hurriedly ran down, shouting as he ran, "Make her relax!"
Edmund's voice was full of anxiety and tension. Emery and the others on the second floor also looked over in surprise. Emery took a quick look and couldn't help but jump down, running towards us.
"Edmund! Come and see!" Elder Arufa also became anxious. "We must save Second sister's child!"
Emery was faster than Edmund. He pulled Edmund up and quickened his pace, running to us.