‘You’re breathing too fast, that’s what’s the matter,’ Evanna said calmly. ‘Just try and slow everything down. That’s better. Good. Here’s Dr MacNeil now. I’m going to wash my hands, then I’m going to examine you.’
‘Don’t leave me!’ Sonia’s voice was sharp with panic. ‘Please, don’t leave me!’
‘I’m just going to—’
‘I want to push.’
Logan opened the pack swiftly, his hands steady. ‘She can’t possibly have dilated that quickly,’ he muttered to Evanna, and she cast a wry smile in his direction.
‘Babies don’t always perform according to the textbook. Don’t push, Sonia, because if you’re not fully dilated you could damage your cervix. Steve, can you fetch clean towels and spread them over the floor?’ Swiftly Evanna washed her hands and pulled on a pair of gloves.
Sonia was trying to breathe steadily. ‘My back hurts so much. I’m so uncomfortable.’
Evanna looked at Steve who had returned with armfuls of towels, which he placed at Sonia’s feet. ‘If you could just rub her lower back, that might help.’ She quickly checked her equipment and prepared for the delivery. A swift examination told her that there was no time to move Sonia even had she wanted to. Her perineum was distended and the head was clearly visible. ‘This baby is certainly in a hurry. I can see the baby’s head, Sonia, so I don’t need to examine you. Try and relax between contractions. That’s good. Now pant. Don’t push. Pant.’ As she delivered the baby’s head she was aware of Logan beside her and felt relieved to have him there.
‘Cord,’ he said quietly, and she gave a nod and gently freed the loop of cord that was round the baby’s neck. ‘I’ll give the syntometrine. I don’t think we should risk a physiological third stage. Do you agree?’
It was typical of Logan to confer with her rather than just dictating, as so many other doctors would have done in the same situation. Evanna nodded agreement, knowing that to leave the placenta to be delivered naturally increased the chances of post-partum haemorrhage. And they had no facilities to deal with haemorrhage.
‘One more push and the baby should be born, Sonia,’ she said huskily, hoping and praying that this was one delivery that would be straightforward from here on. Please, don’t let there be any complications. Not this time. Not again. Glenmore Island had already had its fair share of obstetric emergencies.
The baby shot out into her waiting hands and Evanna let out a delighted laugh that was full of relief. ‘Oh, Sonia, she’s beautiful. A little girl.’ The baby yelled furiously and Sonia gave a sob as she turned onto her bottom and took the baby from Evanna.
‘Oh, Steve.’ Sonia’s voice was choked and tears poured down her face as she held her daughter. ‘She’s beautiful. Perfect.’
Evanna looked at Logan, saw him dispose of the syringe and close his eyes briefly. Then he caught her gaze and gave a faint smile and a nod.
‘OK.’
‘OK,’ Evanna agreed quietly, as she clamped the cord. ‘A perfectly straightforward delivery. Thank you, Dr MacNeil.’
‘I didn’t—’
‘You were great. Sonia, I think you’d be more comfortable up on the bed now. You can have a proper cuddle with her.’
Kyla appeared in the doorway. ‘I gather we’re having a drama. The helicopter is here. Oh, my goodness, they’re obviously a bit late.’ She watched as Evanna delivered the placenta and then she grinned at Sonia. ‘You were always determined to have your home birth, weren’t you?’
Sonia shook her head, her eyes misty. ‘It was perfect. I wouldn’t have missed a moment of it.’
‘Perfect? Are you kidding?’ Steve stared at her in confusion. ‘You were yelling like a madwoman. And telling me we were never having any more children. And swearing.’
‘Was I?’ Placid and calm now, Sonia gently stroked the baby’s head. ‘She needs a bath. And so do I. It’s so hot in here. Why did I have to have a baby in August? Next time I’m going for January.’
Quietly, and with a minimum of fuss, Evanna helped Sonia attach the baby to the breast, skin to skin, and then covered her. ‘It will help your uterus contract,’ she explained, ‘and also keep the baby warm.’ She looked at Logan. Saw the lines of strain around his eyes. ‘She needs to go to the hospital anyway, given that her blood pressure was up and the baby is four weeks early. We may as well use your helicopter.’
He nodded agreement. ‘I’ll go and speak to them. Will you get her ready?’
‘She’s a month early.’ Sonia was watching the feeding baby with wonder and awe. ‘Will she be all right?’
‘Well, if her appetite is anything to go by, she’s going to fit right into this island. We’ll have her gorging herself at Meg’s in no time,’ Kyla said with a grin, helping Evanna to clear up. ‘What are you calling her?’
‘Oh…’ Sonia glanced at Steve, her eyes shining. ‘We couldn’t agree, could we? It was a battle between Emma and Rachel.’
‘You wanted Rachel and I think she looks like a Rachel,’ Steve murmured, his voice gruff. ‘What do you think of Rachel Evanna?’
Touched, Evanna glanced up from her preparations. ‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘We want to.’ Sonia smiled at her husband and then looked at Evanna, gratitude in her eyes. ‘We’re so grateful to you and Dr MacNeil. You were both amazing.’