A Dream to Follow by Lauraine Snelling Read Free Book Online

in.”
    “Don’t borrow trouble. The Lord says to let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”
    “I know.”
    “Now tell me the steps for a delivery.”
    Elizabeth listed them, using her fingers to count on for memory.
    “What if the baby doesn’t start to breathe?”
    “Then rub the chest, raise the arms over the head, and if all else fails, smack the buttocks.”
    “Sometimes breathing in the face helps or compressing the chest real gentlelike. Remember to check the throat and nose for any obstructions.”
    “I read in a book that swishing the baby in warm water can help too.” Elizabeth turned sideways to look at her mentor and friend.
    “Hmm, not surprised. After all, the baby’s been swimming in warm water for nine months.” He turned the team into a long lane that led to a white two-story farmhouse. A dog ran out to bark at the wheels. A man stepped down off the porch as soon as they reached the gate to a picket fence.
    “I’ll take care of your horse. You better hurry.”
    “You got the water boiling?”
    “Yup. And clean towels and sheets and things for the baby. Martha’s been prepared for days now. Go straight through the kitchen. She’s in our bedroom.”
    “Think I don’t know the way? Third baby in less than three years— going to wear her plumb out.” The doctor muttered his way into the bedroom, where shades were drawn over the windows.
    “Howdy, Miz Sidney. Looks like that baby’s in some kind of hurry.”
    The woman on the bed arched with another contraction, this one lifting her clear off the bed. “In . . . a . . . hurry, but . . .” She sighed and sank back down, panting as though she’d been running. “Can’t seem to go no farther.”
    “All right. Let me get scrubbed up here and see what we can see.” He turned to Elizabeth. “You scrub too. If it’s what I think, those small hands of yours are going to come in plenty handy.”
    Elizabeth did as she was told, flinching at the groan that came from the bed. This was her third delivery. She should be used to the agony that preceded the ecstasy of a baby to hold. She watched as the doctor examined the woman, shaking his head, humming a little tune all the while.
    “Now, Miz Sidney, I think what we have here is a breech. I’m going to have Elizabeth help turn the baby when I give her the signal. First, let’s help you up onto your hands and knees.”
    “Doctor, you got—” She huffed a couple of times as another contraction hit, then groaned deeply.
    “All right, dear, ride with it. That’s right.” When she relaxed again, Dr. Gaskin nodded for Elizabeth to wipe her face. “Now roll this way.” He pulled the woman by the shoulder. “That’s right. Hands and knees. See, this takes the pressure off the baby and lets it relax for a minute.”
    He nodded to Elizabeth. “Now you see if you can help that baby turn around, just like they do with lambs and calves.”
    Elizabeth swallowed hard, her hands shaking so badly she was afraid they wouldn’t do what was needed.
    “Now, this is going to hurt some, Miz Sidney, but bear with us.”
    Oh, God, please help me. I don’t know what I’m doing . But at the doctor’s insistent nod, she did as told.
    “What do you feel?”
    “A foot, I think.”
    “Okay, now with the next contraction, turn that baby.”
    As Mrs. Sidney let out a scream that could be heard clear to town, Elizabeth pushed the foot back while the doctor manipulated the hanging belly. Elizabeth gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and concentrated on what her hand was feeling. The baby was moving.
    Mrs. Sidney screamed again—long, drawn out, tapering off as if she had nothing left to scream with.
    “You’re doing fine. You got to stay with us,” Dr. Gaskin said.
    “It turned. I have the head.” Elizabeth removed her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. “It turned, Doctor.”
    “I know, dear.” He beckoned to Elizabeth again. “Now, I’ll hold her while you help ease the baby