Grip Trilogy Box Set

I, Bristol (mother), would like to give birth vaginally, unless strongly advised for a C-section.

We would like to receive a birth certificate and death certificate for Zoe.

We would like her footprints and handprints. We do not wish any testing to be done on Zoe.

If our baby’s heart stops prior to delivery, we do want to be informed.

We do not want the birth videotaped, but we want plenty of photos afterward.

Any drugs given to Zoe should be approved by the parents and should be given in doses to provide maximum comfort while allowing her to be alert to meet her family and visitors while she can.

Zoe’s father will cut the umbilical cord.

We would like oral and nasal suctioning for Zoe’s comfort only and no intubation without our permission.

After Zoe is born, we ask that she be wiped, suctioned (if needed), wrapped in a blanket, and whether alive or stillborn, handed to us.

We would also like to give Zoe her first bath.

Please hand her first to her father Marlon, as we wish to cuddle our baby immediately. We ask that vital signs, weight, medications, and labs be postponed, if possible.

If Zoe has fewer problems than expected, please discuss all possible testing and treatment options with us.

Other than routine post-delivery care, we wish for private time with our baby. We will discuss any exceptions that should be made. We want Zoe to be with us in the room at all times.

Zoe’s grandmother Millicent James will serve as liaison with family and friends, periodically providing updates and managing the flow of people that she escorts into our room, at our request only, and will help us with phone calls.

We have reserved a section of the maternity wing, and only authorized personnel and approved friends and family are allowed access. Under no circumstances should members of the press be allowed access to the area.

Memorial/funeral plans have been made for Zoe at La Casa Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

We wish to hold Zoe as she is dying or after she has died. Zoe will be donating her organs for transplant. Based on the circumstances of her birth and death, she may be capable of donating heart valves, corneas (both tissue donation), and possibly kidneys and liver cells. As soon as she passes, Zoe will be taken directly to recovery surgery in preparation for organ donation. A burial garment will be provided. We would like to keep the following items as keepsakes: lock of hair, ID bracelet, crib card, handprints and footprints (molds if possible), weight card, hat, blanket, clothes, family handprints, and photographs, both color and black and white. We have a memory box to store any items collected.

We do not want an autopsy done.

Thank you for helping us make this bittersweet time as bearable and memorable as possible.

Bristol & Marlon James

Chapter 40

Grip

“WE NEED TO ADJUST THE PLAN.”

Dr. Wagner’s words are not the ones I wanted to hear. It feels like the plan is already adjusted enough since we’re delivering a month earlier than we’re supposed to.

“She doesn’t want a C-section.” I keep my voice low enough for just the doctor to hear. “You know how important that is to her.”

I hazard a glance to where Bristol rests between contractions. She scraped her hair back from her face, but tendrils have insisted on loosening from the restraint and cling to her face. Her hospital gown is drenched, and her head flops to the side in exhaustion. I’ve lost track of how long she’s been in labor, but apparently, Dr. Wagner thinks it’s been long enough.

“Her labor isn’t progressing.” Dr. Wagner’s eyes soften with compassion, but her jaw sets with resolve. “The baby’s heart rate is dropping. Given that you wanted as easy a passage for Zoe and as much time with her as possible, we need to adjust, and now. I can tell Bristol or—”

“No.” I shake my head decisively. “It needs to be me. I’ll tell her.” “Good.” She signals to a nurse hovering nearby. “We need to start prepping her for surgery. I’ll give you a minute to explain the situation.”

Dr. Wagner, in a rare lowering of her professional guard, grabs my hand and squeezes.

“You’ve come this far, Grip,” she says, her eyes sympathetic and grave. “You and Bristol set this course that most can’t or don’t follow. It’s time to see it through to the end.”