Chapter 55: Chapter 55: I Want to See Him
Old Madam Lancaster patiently explained, "Serena, only by doing this can the doctor see how much the cervix has dilated. Once it’s sufficiently dilated, you can give birth.
This is a necessary process. Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. I’ll ask the doctor to examine you gently, okay?"
Serena looked around the ward; there were no male doctors, which finally made her relax.
She endured the pain, her face pale, and looked at Old Madam Lancaster, "Mom, I want to see Elias."
"Serena, be good. I’ll have someone fetch Elias right away..." Old Madam Lancaster comforted her while trying to divert her attention.
But when the nurse checked the cervix.
"Ah...!"
Serena, in pain, grabbed the pillow under her head and screamed loudly.
"Elias, I’m in pain..."
Old Madam Lancaster was so startled that her body trembled, feeling heartbroken seeing her in such pain.
"Serena, soon, it will be okay, soon."
Serena felt as if her whole body was being torn apart by the pain.
She took big breaths.
Fortunately, the nurse’s examination was quick.
But after the nurse straightened up, there was a trace of surprise in her expression as she looked at Serena.
Serena endured the cervical check pain, but the contractions hit again.
Old Madam Lancaster glanced at the nurse, feeling anxious, comforting Serena, and finally, this wave of contractions passed.
She hurriedly covered Serena with the quilt, called Nanny Livingston in, and rushed out of the examination room.
Upon seeing several doctors and nurses standing there, looking serious.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly went forward.
"What happened? Is there something wrong with my Serena?"
The nurse repeated the examination just made with a grave face.
"Young Mrs. Lancaster’s cervix has only dilated two fingers."
"She’s already in this much pain; why has it only dilated two fingers?" Old Madam Lancaster frowned; she had never experienced natural childbirth as Elias was born by cesarean section.
"Madam, typically in natural childbirth, the cervix needs to be dilated to ten fingers before delivery, and now it’s just two, still a long way to go."
"How long will it take to dilate to ten fingers?" Old Madam Lancaster was almost frantic.
"Every person’s physical condition is different. Some dilate quickly, while others are slow, and some may experience pain for two to three days.
From the current situation, Young Mrs. Lancaster’s due date is about ten days away, and we’ve assessed that it might... be slower."
The Lancaster Family members heard this, and their faces changed.
"I had a cesarean section back then, so if she has a natural birth now, will she have to endure this pain continuously?"
Old Madam Lancaster had never experienced this, but seeing Serena in such pain made her extremely anxious.
If she keeps enduring pain like this, what if it leads to something bad?
The doctor spoke unhurriedly.
"There are two ways now. One is to induce labor, letting the cervix dilate faster, and the other, is like what Madam experienced back then, a cesarean section."
Old Madam Lancaster and Old Master Lancaster’s expressions changed.
The doctor continued, "Natural birth involves more suffering, but recovery post-delivery is quicker."
Old Madam Lancaster and Old Master Lancaster exchanged a glance, unable to make a decision.
"Old Man Lancaster, how is Serena?" Old Master Keaton’s voice was eager.
Old Madam Lancaster looked at Old Master Keaton and shook her head.
After understanding the situation.
"Let’s have a cesarean." Old Master Keaton decisively said.
Then, Old Madam Lancaster returned to the examination room, relayed the doctor’s words to Serena, trying to persuade her to opt for the cesarean section, as it would save her from much suffering and enable them to care for her better afterwards.
Once the contractions passed, Serena gasped for breath, took a moment, then looked at Old Madam Lancaster with an incredibly determined gaze.
"Mom, I want to give birth to the babies myself."
She never missed a prenatal check-up; at each one, she asked the doctor about the babies’ weight and whether she could have a natural birth.
The nutritionist has always helped control her weight and ensured she exercised; she’s capable of giving birth herself.
Old Madam Lancaster wiped her sweat with a tissue, tearfully. "Serena, if you give birth yourself, it will be a long pain. Your cervix has only dilated two fingers."
Serena gritted her teeth, "I know."
Old Madam Lancaster tried to persuade her, but Serena insisted on giving birth herself.
Old Madam Lancaster went out to relay Serena’s determination to Old Master Keaton.
Old Master Keaton looked into the distance, his eyes reddening; finally finding her yet she had to endure such pain.
But what could he say, Elias was still out there fighting desperately to save the J Keaton Family’s people, and he had no standing to say anything.
He could only nod helplessly.
Then.
Serena was brought back to the ward by the doctor and nurse.
Old Master Lancaster and Old Master Keaton sat in the break room.
Old Madam Lancaster, Nanny Livingston, and Nia Irving stayed with her.
The doctor said she needed to walk or climb stairs to help the cervix dilate faster.
When Serena was in pain, she could barely sit up, let alone walk.
Yet she still compelled herself to get up and walk; when the pain got unbearable, she knelt by the bedside, clutching the sheets tightly with her hands.
She slowly walked out of the ward door, strolling in the corridor on that floor.
Despite the pain, she insisted on walking, leaning against the wall rail when she couldn’t hold on anymore.
The sky outside gradually brightened.
Old Madam Lancaster, Nanny Livingston, and Nia Irving always stayed closely by Serena’s side, watching her tremble in pain all over.
But they couldn’t help her, nor could anyone share her pain.
"Serena, have some water."
Nanny Livingston offered water to her mouth; she just wanted to take a sip when severe contraction pain struck, and she collapsed onto the ground.
"Serena, don’t sit down, it’s night now, and the floor is cold."
Serena was already in too much pain to listen, and she couldn’t hold on, sitting directly on the floor, biting her lip, waiting for the contraction to pass.
"Serena, would you like some food?"
Nia glanced at the time; it was already getting light outside, Serena had been in pain for seven to eight hours since being admitted after 10 p.m. last night.
But the recent cervical check showed it had only dilated to four fingers, still far from ten.
Old Madam Lancaster watched the exhausted Serena, jumping up in anxiety after the contraction.
"I’m going to find the doctor and let them think of a solution."
Serena grabbed Old Madam Lancaster, shook her head.
"Mom, I’d like tomato and egg noodles."
After saying this, it seemed she had expended all her strength, leaned against Nia, letting her bear her entire weight.
She endured it, waiting until the noodles were served, her hands trembling all the time.
Old Madam Lancaster took the bowl, feeding her.
Serena had only taken one bite before tears streamed down.
"Serena, don’t cry."
Old Madam Lancaster handed the bowl to Nanny Livingston, hastily wiping her tears.
"Serena, why don’t we opt for the cesarean?" Old Madam Lancaster softly asked.
Serena’s tears fell like a kite with a broken string, continuously.
While she sniffled and said, "Mom, I’m going to have the baby, but why hasn’t Uncle come back yet, he promised to be here with me when I gave birth."