Healing His Heart by Carol Rose Page B

agree?"
    "Yes," Julia stepped back as the husband helped the pregnant woman up. ''I'd say you're in transition to the final stage of labor, Heather. I know it's been a long haul, but you should deliver soon." The young woman leaned forward as another contraction washed over her.
    Caleb watched as Julia turned to confer with the other woman. "When did you say her contractions started seriously, Melanie?" Together they moved toward the door.
    "About eight o'clock yesterday evening. They were strong through most of the night and petered out this morning. I had her try to get some sleep; then at noon they started up again."
    Julia glanced over her shoulder at the woman sitting on the bed. "Well, you're right. She's pretty tired, but the contractions aren't letting up. They seem to be intensifying. "
    Caleb stepped back as the women came into the living room.
    The midwife frowned. "I think her physical tension is exhausting her."
    "Maybe a little something for pain might help her catch her breath and she could relax enough to let the baby slip on down," Julia suggested.
    "That's what I was thinking when I called you. Do you think we should try to transport her to a hospital? The baby's heartbeat is strong. I think we just need to give her a chance to catch her breath."
    Julia shook her head. "I don't think we need to transport right now. Let's try the painkiller."
    The midwife went back into the bedroom as Julia picked up her medical kit. She turned to Caleb, her eyes steady. He knew from her expression that she was aware of his presence all along.
    "You're not taking this woman to the hospital?" Caleb blurted incredulously. He knew he sounded accusatory and he didn't care. The blunt truth was that most hospitals didn't welcome midwife-assisted births and most physicians wouldn't come within a mile of this kind of situation.
    Julia responded levelly, "This isn't an emergency. Labor is progressing; the mother's just a little tired."
    "Don't give me that crap. Do you do this often? Back up home births?"
    She didn't answer immediately. "I have a lot of faith in Melanie and most of her colleagues. There are a few midwives I won't back up, but I've learned a lot from most of them. Besides, you'd be shocked if you knew how many people choose home births. M any can't afford hospitals or insurance or they don’t want to go to a county hospital . ” She turned away to prepare the injection.
    Caleb only stared at her. He couldn ’ t fathom her taking on these kinds of risks in an already risky medical practice. If she was so blown away by losing an adult patient, how would she handle an infant ’ s death?
    Despite the acid eating at his stomach, Caleb was too restless to wait in the truck. Instead, he paced the living room, doing his best to tune out the drama that was occurring only a few feet away. It was insanity.
    As he passed by the open door once more, he was startled to see the laboring woman standing beside the bed. With the midwife by one side and the father by the other, the young woman leaned forward, bearing down with her contractions.
    Julia was kneeling in front of her, offering encouragement. As if magnetized, Caleb drew closer.
    “ That ’ s it, Heather! Just a little more like that and we ’ ll get to see this little sweetie ’ s face. ”
    Heather took a deep breath as another contraction started. Her face was now filled with determination. Even her color looked better.
    “ Take a breath and push again, ” the midwife instructed.
    “ Get me some towels, ” Julia instructed the assistant who was hovering in the background with the bewildered father.
    Placing the towels on the floor between Heather ’ s feet, Julia said, “ I think you ’ d better trade places with me, Melanie. There ’ s a baby for you to catch. ”
    The two women traded places quickly. Julia went to Heather ’ s side, holding her arm for support as she gave one last mighty push. There was a loud cry from Heather and then a chorus of