Overwhelming Urge
Part 14
The doctor's voice was calm and reassuring as she said, "Ashley, it's time to start pushing. The baby is ready to come out." But Ashley's body seemed to freeze in response. She felt a surge of panic and fear as she realized that this was it – the moment of truth. The nurse adjusted the IV and the doctor moved into position, but Ashley was too caught up in her own anxiety to notice. She looked up at Sarah, her eyes wide with fear. "I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, her voice trembling. Sarah's face was inches from hers, her expression calm and encouraging. "You can, Ash," she said. "You've got this. Just breathe and push." The doctor's voice came again, firmer this time. "Ashley, I need you to push. The baby is crowning." Ashley's body seemed to respond on its own, a wave of pressure building in her abdomen. She felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to push, and she cried out in response. "Push, Ashley!" the doctor urged. "Push now!" But Ashley was paralyzed with fear. She couldn't move, couldn't do anything but lie there and panic. The nurse came over to her side, speaking softly into her ear. "You can do this, Ashley. Just push. The baby is almost here." Ashley's body seemed to respond to the nurse's words, and she felt another wave of pressure build. She took a deep breath and pushed, but it was too little, too late. The doctor's voice came again, this time with a note of urgency. "Ashley, I need you to push harder. Now." Ashley felt a wave of panic wash over her, and she began to cry. She was going to fail, she just knew it. She wasn't going to be able to do this. But then Sarah's voice came, firm and commanding. "Ash, stop crying and push. You got this." Ashley took a deep breath and focused on Sarah's words. She felt another wave of pressure build, and she pushed with all her might. The room seemed to fade away, and all that was left was Ashley, the baby, and the overwhelming urge to push. The doctor's voice came again, this time with a note of excitement. "It's coming, Ashley. The baby is coming!" And then, in an instant, everything changed. Ashley felt a rush of relief, and then a tiny cry filled the room. The doctor held up a small, squirming bundle, and Ashley's heart swelled with emotion. She'd done it. She'd actually done it.