Try as I might to retain it, water started to trickle uncontrollably down the inside of my leg and was forming a mirror-like puddle at my feet. Only the ambulance driver and I were aware of what was happening to me at that point, but neither of us dared to interrupt the senior nurse who was now in full swing dishing out the verbal punishment she felt due the young nurse and her seniority permitted. .
The slap of hot blood and mucus-laden water against the midwives virginal white leather moccasins granted a stay of punishment for the student nurse. Both nurses jumped back as if scalded or attacked by acid. Tainted trickling water flooded into Niagara Falls like whoosh gushing out and splashing against all in its path.
Driver and ambulance were sent packing as the senior nurse, who seemed to grow in stature, took charge and barked out orders of you"re going and you"re staying, get her in and prepped was one of the many orders forced upon the student nurse followed by I"ll ring round there may be someone on call somewhere, but I doubt it.
Propped upright on an extremely narrow delivery bed that required a four step wooden block and assistance to scale as it was so high of the ground, and dressed in what can only be described as a backless blue and white gingham jay's cloth, we anxiously awaited the return of the midwife.
We"re on our own with this one, drummed out in time with each forceful step as the midwife marched into the sparse delivery room, empty except for the bed and two wide eyed pain stricken girls both frightened to spill fear laden rivers of stinging tears that would stain bright as blood on their uniform and gown. Instead they squeezed each other's hands with equal bone crushing pressure. .
Too late for drugs, followed the fully dilated announcement and proceeded grab the gas mask and keep it in place. No easy task, as the mother to be tore at the mask wanting air not gas now writhing beached whale like and fighting for flight.