Chapter 1100: Childbirth (3) Susan the Funny One

In the delivery room, the mention of a C-section filled Susan with a strange excitement. She’d been in labor all night, but Manuel seemed ready to give up. He suggested a C-section, implying she should have opted for one earlier. However, Susan was adamant about avoiding a stomach scar, wanting to continue wearing bikinis.

Quickly grabbing Manuel’s hand, she declared, "I don't want a C-section! I want a natural birth!"

"You've been in labor a long time," Manuel observed.

"It's still within the normal range," the doctor reassured them. "A cesarean isn't necessary yet."

Manuel's gaze drifted. The doctor wisely remained silent.

Susan, dissatisfied, insisted, "They said I can have a natural birth! I don't want scars like Hannah's. I still want to wear a bikini and go dancing!" Her statement prompted laughter from the medical staff. Manuel’s face darkened.

"C-section now, please. I'll speak to the anesthesiologist," he said, starting to release Susan's hand. She clung to him tightly.

Gritting his teeth, Manuel pulled his hand away. As he approached the door, he heard Susan’s threat: "Manuel, if you dare get me a C-section, I'll… I’ll die right here!"

Manuel trembled. Though he knew her words stemmed from pain and anger, the thought of upsetting her still frightened him. Yet, witnessing her prolonged suffering, her face contorted in pain, broke his heart.

"Mr. Johnson, don't worry, your wife is six centimeters dilated," the obstetrician interjected quickly. "Her anger just pushed her another centimeter."

Manuel frowned. Susan looked confused. Could anger actually speed things up?

"Mrs. Johnson has been laboring all night, but her spirits remain high. She can hold on a little longer," the doctor encouraged, emphasizing the advantages of vaginal delivery for both mother and baby. Hesitantly, Manuel returned to Susan's side. She grasped his hand again. Following the doctor's instructions, she pushed.

Susan pushed with all her might, but it felt endless. The abdominal pain intensified, becoming unbearable. After another hour, despair set in. Natural childbirth was too agonizing; she couldn't endure it.

Turning to Manuel, she pleaded, "Let's do a C-section! I can't take this pain anymore!"

She surrendered to the idea of a C-section. The discomfort of foregoing bikinis paled in comparison to her current agony.

Manuel felt uneasy. They were nearing the end; the doctor had just confirmed eight centimeters dilation. His wife’s sudden desire for a C-section filled him with anxiety.

"You don't need a C-section now," he reassured her. "You can still have a vaginal birth."

"I give up!" Susan insisted stubbornly. The pushing, the pain—she wanted it all to end.

"But you just refused a C-section," Manuel reminded her.

"So what? Can't I change my mind?" Susan retorted.

"Well, I changed mine too," Manuel replied with a mischievous grin. "I suddenly remembered how much I like you in your bikini."

"Manuel! You're so selfish! You only care about yourself!" Susan cried, tears welling up. She felt deeply wronged, believing he wasn't acknowledging her suffering.

The obstetrician signaled for them to push harder; the baby was nearly here.

"Listen," Manuel said firmly. "We need you to push harder to deliver our child safely."

"I don't want to!" Susan protested weakly, her energy depleted.

"That's not an option," Manuel warned sternly. "If you refuse, the doctor will have to reach in and pull the baby out!"

"Manuel, you scared me! Was that necessary?" Susan sobbed. When had he become so callous?

"Mrs. Johnson, your husband isn't exaggerating. For both your and your baby's safety, if you don't push, we'll use forceps instead of our hands," the doctor explained.

Terror silenced Susan.

"Are you afraid?" Manuel asked.

Susan's eyes were red and swollen. He knew her fears, yet he’d used them against her.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed, trembling with pain and exertion. She resolved to work hard with Manuel after the birth.

She pushed and pushed.

"That's it, keep pushing! Almost ten centimeters! Keep going!" the medical staff encouraged.

Susan strained every last ounce of strength. Why wasn't the baby here yet?

Finally, she released her clenched jaw and shouted at Manuel, "Who let you get me pregnant? Who let you get me pregnant?!"

Silence. Her outburst, however, broke the tension and made the staff chuckle.

"If you hadn't made my belly so big, would I feel this uncomfortable?! You're sitting there saying cold things, scaring me. Manuel, why don't you give birth? How can you possibly understand this pain?!"