Chapter 5 - The hospital
I did not give birth that afternoon.
That surprises people when they hear the story.
The contractions were real.
So was the heat stress.
But by the time I reached the hospital, they were irregular.
My cervix had changed slightly from the previous week but not enough for active labor.
Baby’s heart rate normalized after fluids and cooling.
No placental abruption.
No fetal distress requiring emergency delivery.
I stayed overnight for observation.
Rachel sat beside me.
So did my obstetrician, Dr. Priya Nair, for longer than necessary.
Arthur arrived at the hospital at 7:03 p.m.
Security stopped him.
I had requested it.
He called.
I did not answer.
Then he texted:
Maya, I did not know Mom was actually going to lock it.
I stared at the screen.
Actually.
That word.
Not:
I had no idea.
Not:
I thought the door was open.
I did not know she was actually going to lock it.
Rachel read it.
May you like
“Screenshot.”
I did.
