#Frequent Heartburn

[crestviewhealthpllc]

Do you experience a burning sensation in your chest or throat after meals? You might be dealing with acid reflux, a common yet often misunderstood condition. Let's explore the different stages of acid reflux and how internal medicine in San Antonio, Texas, can help you manage it effectively.

[anxiously-going]

I finally got myself to eat for the first time today, now it's- honestly, it's probably still fine for you bitches. I'm tired, I'm not gonna do much today.

[itsahotminuteinbetween]

when you can't blush so your body compensates by burning your heart from the inside out

[iguessyouregonnamissthepantyraid]

actually hilarious that in over a decade of adult life and probably a double digit number of failed attempts at dieting and losing weight, the one thing that's motivated me enough to stick with it the longest was not "i want to look hot" nor was it "i want to stop ruining the inner thighs of all my pants" nor even "i want to reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer" but instead, somehow, it was "as i've gotten heavier over the years my heartburn has gotten progressively worse and more frequent until it's basically on a hair trigger, and by god i WILL enjoy orange juice again if it's the last fucking thing i do"

[aria0fgold]

Honestly the thing I'm feeling is so messy that even I have no idea what it is cuz google is never as helpful with these things. I felt something like heartburn after eating corn on a cob, and then minutes later I felt a squeezing pain at the centre of my torso all while heartburn symptoms persists.

I went to eat marshmallow after awhile and then went to get chewing gum, both of them helped alleviate the heartburn symptoms for a few minutes where the burning sensation went away and I didn't feel any sour taste on my mouth anymore but the dull pain continued. And then by 12 am I felt the sour taste again and can even feel the pain and burning sensation from the centre of my torso travel upward to my chest.

By 1 am while I was focusing on my chest to see if it went away enough for me to sleep. My body temperature suddenly DROPPED! and it also felt like a small ball burst at the centre of my torso where the pain mainly happened and my heart started palpitating like CRAZY. My entire body even started to shake too and I couldn't steady my hands at all. Panicked, hurriedly got up from the pc to tell my mom bout it. And it took until 2:30 am for my body to stabilize in which I just sat and took deep breaths as advised by Aly during then (the heart palpitations stopped quickly though, I think it hasn't even been 5 minutes? the thing that my body took time to recover from was the shaking and just my heart generally not seeming stable anyway? It wasn't palpitating anymore but it felt weak as if it'll start palpitatin again any minute).

The pain at the centre of my torso vanished only to be replaced with a pain by the left side of my chest (which I suspected it being a pulled muscle from my sudden movements) and I also ended up having a dull squeezing headache after the whole heart ordeal passed (at first I thought it was just cuz I was holding back from crying that I don't even know why I felt like crying but even after that one passed, the headache stayed so not that ig). It took me until 6 am to feel assured enough to sleep, and now I'm experiencing what I think was heartburn, and then switched to acid reflux, and then back to heartburn, and I've never been confused my entire life. I just know that my main problem is: Stomach Acid.

[crippledpunks]

i just wanted to say you're not gross if you deal with gastrointestinal issues. even if people treat your symptoms and disorders like they're disgusting, they're not. they're genuine health problems- health includes your entire body. if you are having issues digesting/processing foods, eating, controlling your bowels or having diarrhea or constipation issues or frequent gas and bloating, you're not gross. if you need a colostomy bag, you're not gross. if you need to use diapers you're not gross. if you frequently vomit you're not gross. if you deal with acid reflux and chronic heartburn you're not gross.

people and even doctors will treat people with these kinds of issues like we're disgusting but we're just people with health issues. a GI issue is no less worthy of attention than a broken bone. it doesn't matter where it's located in the body you still need help with it. there are many issues people can have with digestion that aren't necessarily "gross" and they don't deserve to be looked down on. you deserve care and respect from everyone in your life. you don't deserve to be treated like your health problems don't matter

[saintobio]

HEARTBEAT.

when entering the second trimester of your pregnancy also brings along an increase in sex drive that you never saw coming. and with sylus being the father of your baby, you knew he isn't one to deny you of such pleasures.

♱ pairings. sylus, fem!reader

♱ genre. fluff, pwp, established relationship, 18+

♱ tags. baby daddy!sylus, pregnant!reader, profanity, pregnant sex, petnames (darling, honey, baby doll, kitten), daddy kink, breeding kink, spit as lube, biting, mentions of impregnation, creampie

♱ notes. i have many fics lined up for him omg so down bad for this man like there's no saving me T^T reblogs appreciated!

“S-Sylus—!” 

“Did I ask you to stop, kitten?” 

If you weren’t already 4-months pregnant, you knew it best that you would be able to move your body more fluidly on top of his. But carrying his baby had its accompanying struggles too—the first struggle being your belly getting heavier and heavier each day. Your waist also felt more firm than usual. And your breasts, although he loved the sight of their larger size, were often too sore and sensitive to touch. There were problems of heartburn, frequent urination, and constipation, too. And also mood swings, intense cravings, headaches, and back pains. 

But as your body adjusted to his growing baby, Sylus’s most favorite thing in your pregnancy was the fact that his child’s mother had an insatiable increase in libido. It was at a point where you couldn’t control it anymore. Your sex drive just jumped way higher than his, and he had to deal with your constant need for him to release that sexual gratification you had been longing for. Not that he was complaining.

“You’re the one who wanted to ride me, honey.” His teasing continued as he placed an arm behind his head, his back casually leaning against the headboard while you straddled him. He used the other hand to firmly grip your waist, guiding you to grind on him nice and slow. “Tired already?”

“N-No.” You rolled your hips against his to find the rhythm you wanted, but it was getting agonizing how difficult it was to hit your g-spot the way he would if he was the one moving. “Mmh—! Can you… can you move for me?” 

His crimson eyes darkened in amusement. “No can do, baby doll.” 

“Please…” you begged, moaning as you desperately rocked your body against his crotch. You tried lifting yourself up to bounce on his hardened shaft, but that required too much physical exertion on your side. “Aah—ah! I-I can’t do it…” 

Sylus raked his long fingers through his Arctic white hair before he repositioned himself better, almost sitting up as he secured both hands on your hips. “You’ve been treating me like a dildo for a week,” he quipped, laughing at his own words while your cheeks were heating up from embarrassment. “Now, you’re too lazy to move on your own?”

Your desperation got the best of you when you pulled his hair and glared at him. “I would if my belly wasn’t so heavy!” 

Yet, your dominating presence only ignited his teasing even more. “Actions have consequences, sweetie. Always begging to have me cum inside you resulted in that baby,” he said with a roguish grin, brushing his lips against your shoulder before biting on the soft skin. “I don’t mind it, though. At least, there’s something that ties us both forever now.” 

“Y-You talk too much,” you retorted, growing more and more impatient with the way you were moving your hips in circles. You could feel your pussy stretching to accommodate his thick girth, but you knew you still weren’t deep enough to feel the tip of his cock hitting your sweet spot. He had to do something. Something. Some… thing! “Ngh! Sy… please. I want you. Now.” 

“Throwing tantrums, aren’t we?” His deep chuckle resonated in your ears before he finally gave in, squeezing your sore tits with his large, manly hands, and playing with your nipple with the movements of his tongue. You whimpered from his touch, but allowed yourself to lean further into him, your back arching as he held your body in his arms. With his mouth now sucking one tit, he kneaded the other and gave it the same attention while you were a moaning mess on top of him. 

“Sylus.” 

He released your tit from his mouth, his saliva coating your breast as his carmine eyes looked up at you with a wanton gaze. “Yes, honey?” 

“Fuck me already…” you pleaded with desperate eyes, feeling the surge of hormonal tears beginning to pool in them. “Why do you keep tormenting me like this? D-Do you hate me? Do y-you not want me anymore?” 

The man closed his eyes for a moment, his chest vibrating with deep laughter that echoed through the walls of his dimly-lit bedroom. But he had been here before. He knew how to deal with you when your hormones were about to fully take over, so right as you were going to pull yourself away from him, he had already caged you in his arms, flipping you over in a position where he was the one in control now. 

“Such a spoiled little kitty you are,” he mumbled with a scoff, lying you carefully on your back and spreading your legs open so he could have access to your entrance. You could feel your heartbeat quickening as Sylus looked down at you with a lustful stare, like a predator about to devour his prey, before he leaned down and crashed his lips onto yours. You two were already too familiar with the movements of each other’s mouths, already in perfect sync with the way you would roll your tongue around his. His tongue loved to explore your mouth roughly, biting your lower lip in between as he deepened the kiss. 

It was deep enough that you had to place your weak hands against his toned chest, slightly pushing him off to catch your breath. “Haah… Can’t breathe.” 

Sylus smiled at your weakened state and took it as an opportunity to pull away and stroke his entire length. He ejected spit from his mouth and used it to rub his cock, coating every inch before teasing your entrance with his swollen pink tip. Insane. It was driving you insane. You could hear the squelching sound on your slit as he slid his member in between your labia, making you clench your insides in desperation to have him. “What’s the magic word?” he playfully asked while slapping your pussy with his thick, veiny cock. “Hm?”

“Please…” 

“Wrong. Try again.” 

“Please, daddy?” 

A loud, breathy whimper then escaped your lips as he suddenly buried his entire length in a forceful thrust. Your walls tightened around his cock as he began jolting his hips forward, plowing his member in and out of your sopping cunt just as you had been asking for. He watched with titillating eyes how your breasts jiggled with every thrust, and went absolutely crazy when you reached for his hand and started sucking on his fingers.

“Hah—haaah! Mm… D-Daddy—!” 

He clearly enjoyed the image of ecstasy on your face, so he stimulated you further by rubbing your clit with his thumb. “Good, kitten. Cum for daddy.” 

With your thighs held on both sides by him, you placed a hand on your belly and the other gripping the sheets as he continued to ram his member inside your pussy at an animalistic speed. All sorts of noise were ricocheting across the room; the skin-slapping, the squelch, the moans and whimpers, the bed squeaks. 

“H-Harder, daddy. Please—!”

“You like daddy’s cock?”

“Mmh. Yes! Can’t… get… enough.”

Sylus planted a tender kiss on your thigh, still chasing his own seventh heaven by abusing your tight cunt with his monstrous size. The moment he felt your legs shaking, he knew he succeeded. You were already at the brink of losing your sanity, your mind breaking as you raised your hips so he could fuck you harder and faster.

“You really like it hard and fast, baby doll,” he muttered in a raspy voice, never once stopping from his merciless thrust inside you. This man. This sexy bastard right here was the father of your child. And goddamn was he the hottest man you had ever seen in your life.   

“Sy, I-I’m g-gonna—!” You held back a moan, but couldn’t contain it the moment the tip of his cock started hitting that sensitive spot inside you. One time, two times, three times. On the third thrust, you could feel a familiar coil on your lower abdomen, like your insides were being twisted painfully good. And before you knew it, your body was already twitching. Your legs were uncontrollably shaking. Your breath, unstable. You couldn’t open your eyes because you were too absorbed by your orgasm, not realizing that Sylus’s own guttural moans were a sign of his own climax, too. 

As he let out a deep grunt, you could feel spurts of seed filling your core. It even seeped out as he pulled out, watching his own cum dripping down your pussy. “You look beautiful, honey.” 

You were way too sore to move. The sudden decrease in energy left you frozen in bed, leaving it to Sylus to do all the post-sex cleaning and wiping. The room itself smelled of sex, your scents mixing together to make an intoxicating smell. You didn’t even notice he’d brought you a glass of water by the time you opened your eyes again, your breath now more stable as he slipped into bed next to you. 

“Thank you, my love,” you said, returning the glass of water and pulling the duvet to cover your body. “Cuddle with me, please?” 

“Anything for my darling.” After placing the glass on the nightstand, he turned to you and held you in his arms, letting you trace his rock-hard abs with your shaky fingers. “How do you feel? Satisfied?”

You gave him a sheepish grin before nuzzling your nose into his neck. His scent could surely get you drunk if you continued to sniff him. “For now.” 

Chuckling lightly, he rubbed your back with a tender hand. “Any late-night cravings? Fruits? PB&J?” 

“You are,” was your playful reply, “my only craving for tonight.” 

The proud grin on Sylus’s face couldn’t be easily erased. “You hear that, son?” he suddenly said, moving his hand to rub your belly. “It’s getting hard to ‘match mommy’s freak’ nowadays.” 

You laughed at his unusual yet familiar choice of words. “First of all, where did you learn that line?” you asked, propping an elbow to look at his handsome face. “Secondly, how are you sure it’s a baby boy?” 

“I just know.” He simply shrugged, tucking a few strands of hair behind your ear. He then lifted your chin with his fingers, then placed a soft kiss on your lips. “They say doggy gets you a boy.” 

Two wide eyes stared at his crimson ones. “I knew it!” you exclaimed, pinching his nose. “I knew you were trying to get me pregnant that night.” 

He tried to hide his smile by moving his head towards your bump, planting a gentle kiss on your belly before pressing his ear against it. “You act like you didn’t beg me to knock you up,” he countered with a challenging smirk, “Can you handle having a mini-me pestering you every single day, kitten?” 

Instead of teasing him back, your heart melted at the thought of having your own little Sylus running around the house. No doubt your baby would inherit his father’s mischievous nature and be endlessly spoiled by his uncles, Luke and Kieran. You could imagine your child would have his dad’s hair, eyes, and nose. “My baby!” you swooned, caressing your belly and hoping he could feel your motherly touch. “I can’t wait to meet you soon.”

“I’m really going to be a dad, huh?” Sylus’s loving gaze made your heart swell inside. “I’d destroy the world for you two.”

You ran your fingers through his hair and shook your head with a smile. “Yeah, I know you will.”

[vulture-jack]

having heartburn so frequently that my dr decided to medicate me for it has a silver lining in that now when i forget to take my depression meds i get a reminder in the form of acid eating my esophagus because I take them at the same time

[justwinginglife]

Love your fics so much!!! And your writings!! Can you do one where dense reader thinks she’s getting sick and checks herself into a hospital as she mistakes falling in love symptoms an illness and accidentally confesses to soshiro she’s in love with him “you doofus it sounds like your in love with me” 😍

Ahh thanks so much! I appreciate your support. Also this is the cutest prompt EVER. I love it. Thanks for sending!

A Case Of The Butterflies

You'd been sick many times before, but never in your life had you ever had such a ridiculous, confusing, selective fever. Your heart rate would spike, your temperature would increase, your sweat would drip, your lungs would ache, but only at certain times. Only in certain moments around a certain person. You started to wonder if maybe Soshiro Hoshina was sick as well.

It seemed that every time he was around you, you had a flare-up and you just knew you had to be catching whatever he had.

At first, you tried avoiding him, which relieved your original symptoms but caused a new one to surface- your chest would start hurting if he wasn't nearby. You figured it was heartburn. A severe case. You wondered if it was some sort of lotion or cologne that he was wearing that soothed the throbbing in your chest, so you kept asking him what it was that he wore. He was thoroughly amused and gladly procured a list for you, saying he was excited for you to smell like him. After you tried every single product and had no results to show for it, you decided to just stay by his side. You weren't sure what about him soothed the pain inside you, but it worked so you clung to him like you were his shadow.

When you started wearing a mask around him -it was your poor attempt at resisting whatever sickness he had passed onto you- it further entertained him to no end. He thought you looked cute with it on. Though he did miss your pretty face, as he frequently told you. In the end, you gave up on the mask, your symptoms just as intense with them as they were without them. Whatever condition the two of you shared, it was strong, and it penetrated any barriers.

You wondered if you should just give in to your ailment. If it was hopeless. If you should just let the sickness seep into your bones, take hold of your muscles, infect your bloodstream, fill every inch of your lungs. And then, you wondered if it was possible for you to build up a resistance to this disease.

Thus began a long series of ridiculous experiments aimed at building a better understanding of your condition.

Hoshina got quite the laugh out of watching you slowly inch towards him, your eyes trained on your smart watch, monitoring just how high your heart rate jumped and at what length from him it did so. It turned out your heart rate was always abnormally high when he was in the same room as you, but any form of contact with him was what sent it into a frenzy. Even if that contact was just his breath on your skin from a few inches away, or his gaze penetrating yours. He didn't have to be literally touching you, his presence did enough damage.

This puzzled you further and so your experiments continued.

Next, you paced around him with a thermometer in your mouth to deduce how his proximity affected your temperature. Just like with your heart rate, the closer you got to him, the more feverish you were. You hurriedly jotted your results down in your notebook, which resulted in a smirk from him, but he allowed you to continue anyway. He was very easygoing and didn't mind the random trials you put him through, but more than that, he just loved an excuse to spend time with you. So he encouraged your experiments, told you that you couldn't rest until you got to the bottom of this. He had no idea what you were trying to get to the bottom of, but he supported it fully.

Then one day, completely by accident, you stumbled upon the interesting discovery that you slept better when he was nearby and even your dreams were significantly more pleasant when you had interacted with him right before you dozed off. You had been studying beside him in the library, searching for more evidence to backup your research, when your exhaustion took hold of you rather suddenly. He smiled at you and gently rubbed your arm, telling you to take a nap and he'd wake you up when the library closed. You had the most wonderful dreams of your entire life after that.

How could one man be so disease-inducing and yet his very presence soothed you to no end?

You wondered what the prognosis was for such a severe condition. Would you be stuck with this feeling for the rest of your life? Or would you be dead tomorrow, your heart overloaded from the sheer intensity of it all.

It was that train of thought that led you through the hospital doors, anxious to get yourself checked in posthaste. You rattled off your symptoms, leaving out one very important detail (that it was only around Hoshina that you experienced these things). The amount of symptoms you were experiencing, the severity of them, and the frequency in which you were experiencing them concerned the hospital staff and you were rushed in with some urgency.

The nurses performed all sorts of extensive testing on you and you patiently waited for the results.

Suddenly you got a text on your phone.

It was Hoshina. Again. Ever since he got your number, he'd been abusing the privilege, eagerly messaging you any chance he got. At this point, if he didn't spam you, you were concerned.

What you up to and can I join?

Your heart pounded rapidly in your chest and you wondered if maybe he didn't need to be near you after all to transfer his sickness.

Just in the hospital. You sent the text as if it was no big deal.

I'm sorry, WHAT?

Hospital. Can't you read?

No, I got that. Why? What's going on? Never mind, I'm coming to find you.

You texted him back repeatedly, telling him you were fine, just a little under the weather, and he didn't need to worry. He didn't care. Within a few minutes, he came crashing through the door to your room.

He collapsed on the ground, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He must've run here.

You bent down to get a good look at him and, feeling your presence, he gazed up at you, a shaky smile spreading across his face as sweat dripped from his forehead. He definitely ran here. What an idiot. What a sweet, sweet idiot.

"Are..." He panted, "Are you o-okay?"

You laughed. "Are you okay? You look like you just ran a marathon."

He chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "And so what if I did? You said you were in the hospital- I was worried."

You shrugged. "I think I've just got some weird cold or something."

He raised an eyebrow at you. "Some cold. And that's why you're in the hospital? Are you dying??"

You flushed, suddenly self-conscious. You didn't know if you should tell him. But he was one of your closest friends. And you knew he'd be as supportive as he could be about your condition; he did just run the whole way here. It's not like he'd laugh at you.

So you told him everything.

He did laugh. He laughed so hard he rolled around on the floor, holding his sides.

You rolled your eyes at him. "What's so funny?"

"Darling, I love you."

You choked. "S-sorry, w-what?"

“The heart palpitations. Feeling sick to your stomach but also feeling even worse when we’re not near each other. Difficulty breathing. Feeling warm, too warm, like you’ve swallowed the sun. I feel all that too. Because I’m in love with you. And, I think, you’re in love with me too- you doofus.”

You blinked. Then, as his words sank in, your face turned a bright shade of red and you buried yourself underneath the sheets.

He tugged at the blanket. “Oh come now, you can’t hide from me. Let me love you, let me love all your troubles away.”

You clenched the fabric tight in your trembling hands. “Could you maybe love me a little quieter? I’m busy being embarrassed.”

He laughed and yanked the blanket down all the way so he could fully take in the sight of your flushed cheeks. “And why would I ever do that? I plan to love you as loud as I possibly can, especially now that I know you love me back. So what do you say, be my girlfriend?”

You bit your lip but you couldn’t hold back your smile. “Only if you get me out of here before I have to confess my shame and humiliation to the doctor.”

He grinned. “It would be my honor to break you out, my darling girlfriend.” He kissed your hand, kissed up your arm, up your neck, and then finally pressed a kiss to your lips.

Then he scooped you up in his arms and took off with you.

Years later, even after countless romantic dates and wonderful adventures together, Hoshina still counts your first date as him smuggling you out of the hospital, stealing a couple things of jello on the way out, and splitting them with you in the getaway car.

[cindol]

thoughts on toji 🎤

Oup a toji thought request 👁️👁️ i’ll do a knockout with a two in one with sum fluff and small suggestive thought !

i feel like toji is a foodie is a big foodie. When he was still in the zenin clan he was never that big of a food person being that it was always served to him in front of his face but when he was isolated from the zenin clan and on his own food became necessary thing for him.

when he has a steady income flowing in rarely, he treats you and him to a nice dinner and dessert at the diner he frequents.

it’s always a surprise for you when you see the way toji just gulps and swallows, it’s actually worrying.“you shouldn’t eat so fast toji, you’ll get heartburn.”

if he didn’t have a mouth full of rice and egg he’d do a heavy chuckle at your words. He swallowed his food then spoke up.“i eat like this all the time with shiu, don’t see any problems yet or heartburn.”

“well i don’t get why shiu eats with you, he says all you eat is unhealthy shit, his words not mind. Plus in a hour you’ll be groaning to me how ‘you shouldn’t have ate all that shitty food!’ so that is heartburn toji.” you mocked him in a mimicking deep voice.

Even how he writes that off as you being a worry wart you end up consulting him when he’s groaning in the living room, again.

when toji isn’t being sloppy with his food he’s-sharing it with you in really the most sensual way ever. You, toji and a box of strawberries covered with chocolate is a bad match because it always turns into something more.

“toji, just feed me the strawberry like a normal husband would!” you giggle at first how he feeds the fruit to you slowly but gradually it becomes more.

less of him shushing you and more of you moaning at the taste.

[tbgblr2]

2 Friends, 3 Babies.

Several months prior, two friends are texting: 

Kirsty: *Hey babe* 

Kate: *Yeah?* 

Kirsty: *<Posts picture of a positive pregnancy test>* 

Kate: *EEEEEEE! For real.  Congrats!   We are catching up, tomorrow!* 

Three months later, the following text message discussion occurred: 

Kate: *Oh my god, you’ll never guess what!* 

Kirsty: *What?* 

Kate: *<Posts picture of positive pregnancy test>* 

Kirsty: *OH MY GOD!!!!* 

Kate: *Yep… we do everything together, even babies!* 

Kate:  *But… I’ve got 2 in me!* 

Kirsty: *Twins?  WOWWWW!* 

Kirsty and Kate grew up in a small town, and did everything together, they both grew up together, went to school and college together, even worked at the same job together.   They were more like sisters than friends, and now with their joint pregnancies, they were doing antenatal classes together.  Kate had married Kevin – another childhood friend – and yes, you will notice the prolific number of ‘K’ names between the group – one of the quirks of living in a close-knit community, sometimes things get a bit well… weird.   

In this case, generationally, each family collectively agreed to use the next letter of the alphabet to name their children.   No one knows how far back it started, but their parents’ friends’ group was made up of a Joyce, Joseph, Janice and James.   They had a few friends like John and Jack… and a few from the older generation, Ian and Irene.   Ken was an unfortunate teenage pregnancy incident between one of Kirsty and Kate’s mothers’ friends, born much older than the rest of the generation thanks to a lack of sufficient education about sexual practices in the school system. 

Tom – Kirsty’s husband – was the odd one out – he was an import into the area.  Kirsty met him at university, and he was soon welcomed into the community with open arms as they dated and eventually married. 

Even though the 2 ladies were frequently seen to be almost identical in their style and demeanour, as time progressed in their respective pregnancies, the obviousness of their pregnant condition separated them.   Kirsty managed to keep a very petite bump, it was very small and contained.   Kate on the other hand had surpassed Kirsty’s belly measurement by her 5th month, Kirsty’s 8th – looking as if full term with a single baby before Kirsty had even given birth. 

Kate was thrilled – and to be honest a little apprehensive – when Kirsty asked her to be her birthing partner – she was very aware that whatever happened to Kirsty she would have to do herself in only a matter of weeks afterwards, but the two of them felt that they were well prepared between watching birth videos together, taking birth classes together, and generally being good emotional support to each other through the trials of heartburn, morning sickness and cravings. 

As time progressed, and the inevitable day finally arrived, Kirsty called Kate to tell her that she was certain she was in labour, and she should come over. 

Kate knocked briefly on the door and walked in – she was past needing to wait for her friend to come and let her in, but as she took her time turning around to close the door behind her – always conscious of her bump potentially knocking into things - she shouted her hello into the house. 

“Come on in” shouted Kirsty in response, as Kate turned back around and walked down the small corridor into the room where the sound came from. 

She immediately stopped in her tracks, her hand flying instinctively to her mouth in unexpected shock. 

“Kirsty, you’re naked!” exclaimed Kate. 

Kirsty wasn’t exactly naked.   She was covered by a dressing gown, but it was open rather than tied, her body and hair evidently wet like she had just been in the bath or shower.   She was sat on her birth ball, slowly rotating her hips in a figure eight motion as Kate rounded the corner into the room. 

She looked up and managed a smile, “Yeah and I’ve got a baby wanting to come out of me, so I win this round” 

Kate couldn’t help but giggle, when almost on cue, Kirsty’s face scrunched up as she brushed back the fabric of her robe from the right hand side of her belly and clamped her hand on it, rubbing it with slow circles.    Kate watched enraptured as Kirsty’s belly tensed and for a brief moment, an outline of a part of the baby was seen poking out.   She gasped without realising. 

Kirsty, seeing this happen, blew out her breath as the contraction passed and smiled once again.   “I take it you saw little bub’s butt?”   Kate nodded.   “Yeah its crazy, been watching it all morning as my belly tightens up.   I suppose it’s a downside of a small bump... not much free room in there I guess?” 

Kate asked “So how long have you been in labour for?” 

Kirsty looked up as if she was trying to work something out in her head.  “Well... I was straddled riding Tom last night” 

“Hey, do you not have any secrets!” shouted Tom from the next room. 

“Of course not baby, we are friends!” shouted Kirsty, grinning maniacally. “As I was saying before being rudely interrupted, I was riding my man like a beast, when I felt some contractions.   Not sure if the baby was fed up of being juggled around or some magic happened... when the magic happened, but they didn’t let up, not like any of those Braxton Hicks things I’d been having.” 

Kate nodded, her hand instinctively moving to her belly to feel the movement of the babies inside her at the mention of Braxton Hicks contractions, she was only 6 months along, and she knew she had those to look forward to when the babies had grown a little more – if that was possible – she was bigger than Kirsty right now, and Kirsty was in labour! 

Kirsty continued.  “I managed to get a couple of hours sleep, but at around about... oh... 5 I think I gave up after watching the clock for an hour and feeling the occasional cramp.   I knew they weren’t going away at this point and got excited you know.” 

Kate nodded as Kirsty continued.   “I got up to go to the toilet” - cue knowing nods from Kate - “had a little bite to eat, and just sat and watched TV for a few hours feeling the build-up and progression, having a good moan and groan to myself.   After Tom got up and noticed I wasn’t in bed, it had been several hours, and things had started to get a bit fruity, let me tell you.  Headed for a nice warm bath to try and get comfortable when I got in touch with you.  Had about an hour in there – it helped; I'll admit – but I figure it's about time to go to the birth centre.   So here we are, about an hour later, Tom has – I hope – finished packing, and I need to just get dressed a bit so I can go out in public.” 

Tom poked his head around the door.  “We’re all set – Hi Kate!” 

“Hi Tom” Kate held her hand up in greeting. 

Kirsty stands from the ball, arching her back as she simultaneously holds the underside of her belly and pulls, lifting her round midsection up.  “That feels so much better let me tell you, nothing like it to ease back pain.  Baby’s got no decency to stay well away from nerves.”   She shuffles back towards a chair where a dress is draped over the back of it, shrugging off the dressing gown into a pile on the floor behind her, she grabs the dress and starts to pull it over her head, the fabric gathering above her bump until she's pulled it over her head and able to pull it down. 

“No underwear?” queried Kate, as Kirsty shook a finger at her, dropping her head and grimacing, evident that another contraction had started to ramp up.   Kate moved over to her friend and got in as close as her own bump would let her, rubbing Kirsty’s back.   That seemed to help, and her tight, scowling expression relaxed a little as she felt the muscles of her back being softly massaged. 

Tom walked back into the room with a bag slung over his shoulder with their hospital things in, taking his wife's hands in his own, he slowly rubbed his thumbs over the back of her two hands whilst whispering to her that she was doing well, and she was well on her way to meeting their baby. 

As the contraction reached its peak and finally ebbed away, Kirsty felt she could breathe again, huffing out her breath with a groan.   The contractions were definitely getting worse as time went on... she figured it was going to be as much, but she was secretly hoping that they would reach a peak with their pain and intensity, and eventually just go on longer and longer.   She figured in her own head that was too much to ask for. 

The three made their way to the car – Kirsty and Tom just having upgraded their small hatchback they shared as a couple to something larger with the baby on the way.  Kate settled into the passenger seat as she pushed the seat back as much as she could, Kirsty sat in the back row, on the assumption that it would allow her a bit more freedom of movement should she need it during the ride – she didn’t like the idea of getting trapped in the passenger seat and be surrounded by all the dashboard and centre consoles and not being able to move around, even shuffle from left to right. 

Tom opened the boot, threw in the bag he was carrying, and promised he would be quick as he dashed back into the house.   Two pairs of pregnant women’s eyes followed his movements as he retreated.   He returned a few moments later with the car seat for the baby, and placed that in the back as well, not wanting to set it up in position for now in case Kirsty wanted to move around. 

“Lets go have a baby!” he yelled, the emotions he had bottled up finally releasing into a yell of triumph that he and his wife were on their way.    

As the engine burst into life, another contraction started assaulting Kirsty’s belly.   She groaned, resulting in Tom turning around before pulling away.   “Just drive!” Kirsty growled a little, completely unintentionally.   Noticing Tom’s expression drop, she took a breath and added, in a more reasonable tone “Sooner we get moving, the sooner we get there.   I’m expecting a few more of these on the way, and Kate can help me cope.  Just want you to focus on the road to get us there in one piece.”  Tom nodded and pulled away, glancing back at the rear-view mirror to see Kirsty lying back, rubbing furiously at her belly. 

Tom set a decent pace, keeping to the speed limit, but weaving between lanes to keep moving and not end up in queues.   Kirsty went through several contractions in the car, typically when they ramped up to higher intensities, she leaned her head on the seat in front and pushed her hand forward, allowing Kate to grab it and hold on as she squeezed, often grasping Kirsty’s hand with both of hers.   Tom kept the compliments and encouragement going all the way through the drive - “You’re doing well baby, keep on doing that, breathe nice and deep, pant out the pain.”  Kate chimed in at appropriate times “That’s it Kirst, squeeze my hand nice and tight, just keep on thinking about meeting the baby.” 

Kirsty shuffled from side to side in the seat as she tried to keep comfortable, struggling with the sensations of labour getting more and more pronounced as the drive went on.   Tom was of course driving as quick as he could, which resulted in one rapid stop as a car appeared in front of him unexpectedly.    The stop-start nature of the journey, coupled with her own hormones, and the surprising heat generated by her own pregnant body left her feeling nauseous, so she wound down the window and let the cool air blast into her face for a while.   

At one point, Kirsty had almost gotten to her wits end, tired of sitting in the same position, the pain in her lower back becoming more and more intense as the drive and her labour progressed.    She managed to get her body rotated in the seat, so she had her knees pressed against the seat, her belly sticking out into the area where she was sitting a few moments earlier, and her hands grasping the headrest as she moaned a sorrowful sounding wail, a contraction almost breaking her.   Tom had little he could do to assist, and even Kate couldn’t really get her hand back far enough, only really brushing hers against her friends thigh, so both were left looking through the rear view mirror at the labouring woman and feeling powerless to help other than to keep on telling her that they were getting closer and closer to the birthing centre. 

When the group were almost there, about 2-3 minutes from the hospital, Kirsty let out a growl which suddenly turned into an exclaimation.  “GrrrrrrooooohSHIT!”   Kate turned around as best she could, and Tom, all credit to him, didn’t take his eyes off the road but asked what had happened. 

“Water broke... I think” replied Kirsty speaking in a pained tone, eyes scrunched up in the middle of a contraction, she pulled her hands out from between her legs and brought up fingers that were glistening with fluid. 

Tom gasped, asking “Do I stop, do I go... were almost there?” 

Kate looked at him.  “Get to the birthing centre, I don’t think she's in any risk of pushing the baby out right here.” 

Kirsty answered silently by shaking her head.  Gasping a “go” as best she could, Tom got the message and drove on. 

Kirsty squirmed in the seat, feeling the wetness of her clothes cling to her.   She mumbled a quick “Sorry guys” as she lifted her backside off the seat and pulled at her dress, lifting it up above her bump, exposing her lower half and sitting back down.  “That was uncomfortable.”    Tom could only stare in disbelief as Kate smiled.  “Whatever helps you cope.” 

As the car arrived in the car park, Kate offered to go in and get things ready for the couple, presuming that Kirsty would need a moment to get herself tidied up and out of the car.   Of course, being 6 months pregnant with twins, and sporting a large belly herself didn’t exactly mean she was able to jump out of the car herself and head over quickly either. 

She eventually managed to extract herself from the seat and with a half run-half waddle she pushed the door to the birthing centre open to be greeted by a receptionist. 

“Hi” said Kate.   “We rang ahead, got a baby coming.   Waters just broken on the journey in.” 

The receptionist looked at Kate and got the wrong end of the stick, thinking she was the woman in labour. 

“Please take a seat ma’am and I'll bring the admittance forms over to you... or do you feel that you would need a wheelchair and to go straight to the assessment room?” 

“Wh...wha?” Kate was taken aback momentarily until she put 2 and 2 together.  “Oh... no... my friend is in labour.   I’ve got a fair old while to go, still only 6 months along.”   Kate was not sure if it was the frantic nature of the drive into the area, but this set her off giggling.   Kirsty is going to love hearing this. 

“I think the wheelchair could be useful for our labouring mamma though,” noted Kate as the receptionist nodded.  “You should see the couple in the car park.” 

An orderly took one of the wheelchairs which were stacked to the side and wheeled it out to greet the labouring couple, as the receptionist asked for Kirsty's name, brought up her records on the screen and clicked a few locations on the screen, announcing that she was all set. 

The orderly came in backwards, wheeling Kirsty in front of him in reverse, Tom following with the bag close behind the small group.   As the orderly spun the chair around so Kirsty faced the receptionist, Kirsty let out a slight smile and a nod of greeting. 

The receptionist greeted her with her own beaming smile and wished her good luck, advising the orderly to take the group to assessment room 2.   Tom and Kate followed on behind the wheelchair bound Kirsty as the three of them and the orderly entered a room.    

“I’ll come back and get the chair when you’ve been assessed, just sit tight and our midwife will be here in just a couple of minutes... or if you’d like a hand up, I can help?” 

“Please, help me stand” asked Kirsty.   The orderly and Tom helped her get up whilst Kate wheeled the chair to the side of the room.  “Thanks, I’ve been sitting for a while in the car, I just want to move around.” 

“Not a problem” the orderly smiled.   He pointed over to buzzer on the wall.  “There’s an intercom there if you need to reach reception, but you shouldn’t have much of a wait.” 

As the orderly leaves, Kirsty’s hand goes to her bump again as she waddles over to grasp onto a handrail on the wall.   Her walk is noticeably bow-legged as she tries to avoid the damp patch on the back her dress which is clearly visible from behind.  “I just realised how soaked I am now the dress isn't stuck to me,” she manages, between huff and puff breaths as she focuses on the contraction. 

“Hopefully they have the pool you wanted ready, then you can take off the dress and just relax in the water.” thought Tom, speaking out loud. 

“Sounds heavenly...” Kirsty replied, holding herself up with one hand as she bent over with the pain, clutching at her belly with the other.  “These have gotten a LOT worse since the waters went.  Like someone's taken away the cushion I had.”   She vocalised a low moan as she worked through the contraction. 

There was a knock at the door, and the midwife the couple had been dealing with during their prenatal care walked through, she was known as Suzi.   Definitely an out of towner as she was not really much older than Kirsty and Kate, but didn’t follow the same naming convention of those in the town. 

She noticed Kirsty working her way through a contraction and waited for it to finish – Kirsty, wrapping her arms around Tom as she stood with a wide stance, moving her hips left and right as she vocalised a low moan.   As the contraction finished, and she managed to stand back up fully and look around at the new entrant into the room, Kirsty’s eyes rose up and met Suzi’s, who smiled in response.  “So how's my mother and sneaky little baby then?” 

“We’re fine, and I think baby really wants to show itself now” replied Kirsty, her hand rubbing her bump. 

What Suzi referred to was Kirstys apparent lack of bump.  All of the ultrasound scans and other checks that she had went through suggested the baby was growing normally, and in fact was suggesting that it was going to be very big when it was born – but her apparent lack of bump was baffling.  Suzi could only shrug when asked to explain it, and just replied saying that sometimes bumps just don’t pop out much.  Her uterus, and subsequently the baby growing within it, seemed to be quite deep in her body, so the outward signs were significantly less than many other women, but everything was perfectly normal and not to worry about it. 

“Can I check you over?” asked Suzi, as Kirsty nodded, adding “Do you mind if I take off this dress... it’s a bit wet?”    

“If it would help, go right ahead, want me to bring you something else to wear?” she asked. 

“No... no thanks.   Feeling a bit hot and bothered if I’m honest – hoping a bit of naked time might help cool me down.”   Kirsty blushed as she said it, not exactly sure what the etiquette would be for a situation like this. 

“Hey... you’re the labouring mamma... you call the shots” grinned Suzi as she offered her hand to help Kirsty onto the bed.   Kirsty hiked her dress up over her bump as she had done before in the car and then took Suzi’s hand and Toms and managed to get herself on the bed.   Tom lifted off her dress and folded it over, putting it away in a plastic bag to be washed later. 

Suzi donned her gloves, and with a “OK, deep breath in” she put her hands between Kirsty’s legs and into her vagina.   Kirsty squirmed a little as she groaned at the unpleasant sensation but a few moments later, Suzi withdrew her fingers and pulled off the gloves.  “You’re doing well... at 6 centimetres, so still a way to go, but I’m happy to get you admitted... no need to go home.” 

Kirsty breathed a sigh of relief.   She wasn’t expecting to get turned away, but she’d read all sorts of horror stories of women who had laboured all day and found that they were only 2-3 centimetres dilated when they got to the birth centre and were sent back home for longer.   Frankly she didn’t think she could manage another car ride. 

“I’ll be back in a few minutes with a gown you can wear... don’t think you’d want to move down to our delivery suite in your current state of undress” Suzi turned and walked out of the room with a grin. 

Kirsty swung her legs by the side of the bed and sat and chatted a little while with Kate and Tom.  As the time passed, another contraction started to grow, so she closed her eyes and focused on rubbing her belly, reaching out for Tom, who grabbed her hand in response, as Kirsty was left grimacing in pain. Kate looked on concerned, not only for the simple fact that her good friend was in pain, but seeing how much the pain was having a visible effect on Kirsty, she was worried that she would have it all to come. 

Kirsty came out of the contraction looking up at her friend who was rubbing her belly sheepishly.  “Hope I'm not scaring you...” she managed with a smile.   Kate lied, saying no, putting on a brave face so as not to let her friend worry when she needed to concentrate on herself.   “Babies are just having a wrestle in here I think, don’t know what it is, but they’re crazy active right now... I don’t know, perhaps I'm just noticing it more considering the situation.”  

There was a knock at the door interrupting their heart to heart, as Suzi walked back in the room, closing the door behind her, ripping open a plastic wrapper as she walked towards Kirsty and handed her the gown she had just unpacked.   Holding her free hand and shoulder, Suzi helped Kirsty off the bed as she pulled the clothing over her head. 

“Ready when you are, let's go have a baby!” Kirsty seemed suddenly full of energy, knowing she was moving on with her labour.   Suzi nodded and led the group out of the room, down the corridor and into the delivery suite area of the building – Kirsty stopping midway to hold onto the wall as a contraction worked its way through her.  After making sure she was OK, they continued their way to a door, which was opened in front of the group leading to a low-lit room, the area dominated by the pool in the middle of the room.    Kirsty’s eyes lit up seeing the inviting water. 

Kirsty took off the gown again, waiting a little while as Suzi strapped a monitor to her belly to monitor the contractions, and she was finally released to go into the water.    As she took Tom’s offered hand, her legs entered the water one after another with an audible splash.   Standing in the tub she rocked side to side as another contraction built up, her hands grasping both of Tom’s and squeezing tight.   Kirsty’s eyes were closed as she worked through it, until finally it passed and she sighed as she lowered herself down into the water, blissful relief evident on her face. 

Kirsty sat in the water with her legs butterflied out, soles together as she took in a deep breath, her hands working an ache in the underside of her belly.  The next contraction built up and it was clear that this felt different to Kirsty by the noises she was making – giving a low, humming noise rather than the grunts and groans she had been doing before.   She smiled as the contraction ebbed away, stating that she was so glad to be back in the water, it felt like the pains were so much less intense with the water to help. 

After the hectic run up to this point, suddenly everything was calm.   Over the course of the next hour, Kirsty worked her contractions in the tub, taking time out between the surges to find time to have a joke and conversation with Tom and Kate, the water doing what is should to mask the pain of the contractions.   Suzi popped in back and forth over the time and kept her notes, bringing in some gas and air for Kirsty as things picked up close to the end of the hour.   Kirsty took plenty of opportunity to breathe deeply on the mouthpiece, groaning with the contractions as they picked up intensity as the labour progressed. 

Things got more emotional as Kirsty entered transition though.   The pain had ramped up considerably, to the point where the water and gas and air wasn’t helping, Kirsty was starting to mumble to herself, focusing inward as she could do nothing but yell out as each contraction got to her, ramped up, and then seemed to only let go for a moment before its next friend gripped her. 

Tom was starting to fret, feeling helpless in the situation, whilst Kate was simply looking on aghast, finding her friend not coping well with the pain, and being concerned that she would need to go through this soon herself. 

Kirsty got Tom to get in the pool and hold her as she went through the contractions – she was starting to feel the ill effects of the late-stage labour, feeling all shaky and nauseous – but Tom’s presence, holding her, whispering to her that she was doing great, keeping her focused helped her to progress.  Thankfully for the transition phase, it didn’t last long, and after around 30 minutes, where Kirsty was getting well and truly fed up with the pain she suddenly felt the urge to push. 

Suzi leaned over the edge of the pool and managed to reach between Kirsty’s legs to check her dilation – sure enough, she was at 10cm and was good to go.   Both Tom and Kate let out sighs of relief knowing that the difficult transition period was finally over, and hoping that Kirsty getting to push would help her deal with the pain better – when she was back in control. 

The first push felt like heaven to Kirsty.   She could finally do something.   Tom sloshed around the pool to kneel down next to her shoulder and give her support, whilst Kirsty screamed like a banshee as she pushed, putting all the frustration she had just been through into a monumental effort to get things moving.   Kate moved around the pool to get a look, morbid curiosity ruling her thoughts at the moment.   She was very disappointed that Kirsty’s long, 10 second push showed absolutely no external effects whatsoever. 

Another push, then another and finally a fourth and suddenly Kate jumped.   “I’ve just seen it.”   Tom leaned over to glance between Kirstys legs and sure enough, as she pushed with a loud roar, her lips parted, and something could be seen in the gap it created.   As she let off the push the shape slipped away, but both Kate and Tom were buoyed by the result, the energy of which motivated Kirsty to keep on going. 

Over the course of the next 10 minutes, Kirsty put a monumental effort into pushing out her baby, and felt success as she reached down and felt the shape growing and growing with each set of effort she put in. But something was wrong. She didn’t know if it was mothers intuition, or something she felt when she was expecting to feel the head of the baby, but she called Suzi over – who had been pleased with the progress so far and started to prepare her notes whilst Tom and Kate were keeping Kirsty motivated. 

Suzi popped over and took a quick glimpse between Kirstys legs, just to get a shock. She didn’t let on too much, but urged Kirsty to push when she felt the next contraction, waiting with baited breath for it to happen. It didn’t take long until Kirsty was once more pulling on her legs in the tub and pushing out the mass between her legs. Suzi’s fears were confirmed when she realised that the thing which was coming out was not the babys head, but its behind. 

“Kirsty... your baby is breech” Suzi infomed Kirsty, trying to keep a calm tone in her voice. Tom reacted first. 

“Does this change anything? Does she need a section or something for that?” 

Kirsty soon reacted to the change in atmosphere in the room, gasping hard, releasing her push mid contraction and wailing out loud as her body reactively forced her to keep on pushing.  

Suzi did her best to keep all in the room calm and on the immediate need to focus on Kirsty’s labour. “Nothing needs to change. You can still push out this baby naturally.... it’s just coming out butt first... Kate or Tom – when it’s time, I’ll need you to support the baby, as we will need to get mum out of the tub and more vertical.”  

Kirsty interrupted “I need Tom... this hurts so bad.” 

Kate nodded “Guess that answers that question then... best get my catcher’s mitt.” 

Suzi nodded. “Right... well, here’s our game plan. When the body is born, I’ll ask Kirsty to stand and use gravity to help give birth to the head. Kate, you support the baby as it comes out, and Kirsty – because the cord will potentially be caught between the emerging head and the body which is already outside, we need to focus on speed to deliver the head so the cord isn’t restricted for too long. I’m afraid you will need to push your hardest to get this head out of you as quick as you can. Do you think you can do it?” 

Kirsty nodded, not able to answer verbally as she immediately folded over to start her pushing on the next contraction. Not sure if it was Suzi’s dire warning or not, but she seemed to push with a lot more might than before, holding Tom’s hand and squeezing as hard as she could to get through the contraction. Suzi and Kate looked on at the baby emerging from between Kirsty’s legs. 

It was clear after this contraction that the thing which was coming out was the baby’s behind, as now the hips – legs folded up into the babys body – were clearly visible. What Kate found unusual was sheer size of the infants body which was stretching her friend open – the stretch was easily as big as any head she had seen on any of the ‘preparing for birth’ video’s she had seen – she looked over at Suzi who wasn’t reacting to the size, just focusing on the area between Kirstys legs to make sure things were going as they should. 

Kate shook her head, presuming she was worrying about nothing, and went back to rubbing a cloth on her friends head and giving her encouragement.  

Suzi jumped in now. “Hands and knees please. We need to be ready to help you stand up when the time comes.” 

Kirsty accepted support from the three others in the room as she wriggled in the pool to get onto her knees – her movements limited by the sheer size of the infant between her legs. The next push as she was vertical had the legs fully born, which flopped down. Kirsty gave a yell – unsure if it was simply pain, or a sense of triumphant success as she felt the movement – her hands were now spread out either side of her, one held by Tom, one by Kate. 

The next push had the body fully born, Kirsty surprisingly making very little noise at this point, simply focusing on the push. The baby was facing with its back towards the group, so Suzi leaned in and felt for the cord, making sure that it wasn’t caught on the neck, before trying to manage the task of lifting Kirsty up for the task of giving birth to the head. 

She gave an affirmative that everything was going well, and asked Kate to get behind Kirsty and be ready to reach down into the pool to support the baby, Tom to take her under her armpits and be ready to lift. 

Kate took a moment to peek around the front at the baby when her hand went to her lips. “How did you fit all that in there?” she gasped out – noting the sheer size of the baby in comparison to her friends dainty bump.  

Suzi scolded her. “Please, we need to be quick.” 

Kirsty gasped out loud “I need to push, quickly.” 

Sheepishly, Kate realised that she had made an error and got into her assigned space. She was forced to lift her own bump up so she could lean over the edge of the pool, her bump hefted over the top, Kate as a result ending up on her tiptoes, her large bump splashing into the water as she reached towards the area between Kirsty’s legs. “Got it.” she confirmed. 

Tom heaved up whilst Suzi supported the baby from the front, waiting for Kate. As she felt her hands grasp the infant from behind, she let go and moved her hands up to Kirsty’s vagina. Kirsty was now upright on her own feet, water draining off her. She didn’t have a moment to lose as she squatted down, opening up her legs and pushed.  

Her howl was deafening to Tom who had his head close to his wife’s, grasping onto her with all his strength. Suzi pushed hard on Kirstys lips, separating them and giving what help she could to ensure that the cord didn’t get trapped by the emerging head. 

Kate stood aghast at the amount of effort and pain that her friend was in as she pushed again and again, her inhibitions gone, the power of gravity pulling the weighty body down along with her primal need to push. Kirsty didn’t stop pushing until the head was out – and it took 3 long minutes. Even when the contraction had stopped, she yelled out loud and grunted with effort. 

Kirsty leaned her weight forward as she pushed, relying more and more on Tom for support. The position change tipped her vagina away from Suzi’s hands, and the midwife dashed around to behind Kirsty to stand alongside Kate, who at this point had gotten a full on view of her friends stretching vagina as the head emerged. 

As the head reached its widest point, stretched to a point where Kate didn’t think would be physically possible for the human body to achieve, Kirsty let out a scream of pain which turned Kate’s blood to ice. In front of her eyes, her friend was tearing, and Kate couldn’t do anything to stop it. 

Her hands were covered in blood and all Kate could do was sit open mouthed at the vision in front of her. Kirsty had not ceased in her pushing efforts, oblivious to the damage that she had done to herself. She couldn’t think, just react to the unstoppable force of the instinct that the boulder between her legs needed to be outside of her body. 

Suzi looked over to Kate, seeing the friend’s frightened look she whispered to her “Don’t worry, we’ll sort that out before she even realises, she’ll be so high on happy hormones.” 

And with that, the baby dropped into Kate’s hands. Without the weight of it held by Kirsty, Kate wasn’t expecting the bulk and had to adjust from her already precarious position on her tiptoes to hold onto the slippery bundle but she held on by some instinctual force she didn’t even realise she had. 

Kirsty was panting as she realised the head had finally come out, shell shocked into mutely staring forward. Kate spoke first. “Take the baby babe!” 

Kirsty suddenly realised what had happened. “Is it over? Is the head out?” She let go of Tom and shuffled back, reaching between her legs to take the waxy, blood covered bundle from between her legs as Kate shoved it forward, almost overbalancing in the process. 

Kirsty sank into the water, suddenly realising the pool was blood-red. She looked up at Suzi. “Everything OK?” she enquired. 

“Just a small tear. We’ll let you rest a few minutes, deal with the afterbirth and see about getting those dealt with when it’s time. For now, bond with your baby.” 

Tom looked up at Kate who held her fingers up behind Kirsty’s back in a ‘pinch’ motion – with her fingers being around an inch apart. She mouthed to Tom “I saw her tear. I saw it all.” Not wanting to say anything out loud in case it startled Kirsty. 

Over the course of the next hour or two, as Kirsty was cleaned up and the baby – a girl which they decided to call Laura to keep up with the naming tradition – was given a clean bill of health, all that was going through Kate’s mind was that her friend, with the tiny bump, gave birth to a 13 pound baby, and struggled as a result. She had a bigger bump than her friend did for several months prior, and she still had time to grow.  

She was worried – whatever her friend had to deal with, she had to do it twice. And one thing was certain, time was certainly not going to stand still for her whilst she prepared herself for it. 

[thinkpink212]

A Mini Guide To Better Sleep

According to Why We Sleep By Matthew Walker

Consistancy is key Try to create a pre-sleep routine and set a consistant schedule. This means waking and sleeping at the same time everyday (yes even on weekends). I personally set an alarm for when to start my skincare and overall unwind 45min before my bedtime.

The importance of movement Avoid excercising 2-3 hours before bed, but know that it is important to move your body - specifically 30min on most days. I find that 3 times a week, varying between swimming, yoga and gym reps keep me both strong, flexible and in shape.

Vices to Avoid Cafeeen, alcohol and nicoteen (or smoking in general) should be avoided 6-7 hours before sleep, for the simple reason that they interupt the REM sleep cyle. REM is where our body, mind and memory is rested and restored the most. Smokers also tend to exite the brain even though it feels like it's doing the opposite, and any withdrawl for a few too many hours always results in cravings that can cause frequent wake-ups (to smokers)

Not too much consumption Try not to eat too close to bedtime, as it takes the body a lot of energy to digest. Sleeping right after eating can cause stomech issues, indigestion and heartburns (and more). As for large amounts of liquids, it is best to avoid drinking too much before bed as it will wake you to urinate. I usually stop any water consumption 45min before bed.

No naps passed 3pm Streight forward, any naps after 3pm will make it difficult for most to sleep once night comes. For some it is as easly as 1pm, which is why many places have siestas where most people sleep after lunch, around 12. Napping is a great way to help regain some energy, especially when tired. Ignoring fattigue can also result in health problems later down the line, so if you feel tired, try to take a nap or go to bed earlier.

Before Bed - Routine Attempt to relax a few minutes before bed - I usually take off 30-45min to do my skincare, read, light cleaning and organizing. This is also a good time for you to write down any thoughts that may take up too much time before bed, listen to some relaxing music or podcast.

The perfect enviorment Allowing fresh cooler air into your room before bed can help your body temperature rise to the perfect degree for optimal sleep. This, combined with a warm bath before bed (30min before) can also be a great combination. Avoid bright lights (especially blue lights from screens) and consider investing in a good pair of sleep mask, earplugs if you are a lighter sleeper and blackout curtains. If you like background noise, look into sleep machines with a wide range of sounds to choose from to avoid having to use your phone.

Reading this book made me realize how little sleep we get, compared to how much we need for everyday, and more complex things in life. There are no downsides to getting more and better sleep, only a well rested body and mind - especially if you follow the recomended 8-10 hours. Happy Sleeping

[ask-jiro-kirisaki]

After laying in bed for hours and scrolling through WickChat, Alli finally found the perfect pick up line. Or at least, one that could work.

hey jiro!!

my gag reflex has been acting up lately... could you check it out or something?

She deviated greatly from the original inspiration, but didn't want to come on too strong. In truth, her gag reflex has been making it a bit hard to eat lately, so at least she wasn't lying just to get his attention.

Going over some last-minute paperwork, Jiro is interrupted by a ping from his phone. He thinks for a moment, then replies to the message. Good evening Alli, There are a wide variety of reasons one could develop a hypersensitive gag reflex. I would wager the amount of strange substances you have consumed may have contributed. But there are other reasons it could occur. Have you been having troubles with allergies lately? Postnasal drip could be the culprit. Frequent bouts of heartburn could also be a potential trigger. Please let me know and we can discuss treatment. Sending the message, he gets back to work.

[allergictocolor]

Character Profile - Morticia Addams

“The real head of the house and moving force behind it. Low-voiced, incisive, and subtle; smiles are rare. This ruined beauty has a romantic side, too, and is given to low-keyed rhapsodies about her garden of deadly nightshade, henbane and dwarf’s hair. Generally indulgent [of] the often sinister activities of the children, but feels that Uncle Fester has to be held in check. Her costume is always the same - the form-fitting black gown, tattered or cut to ribbons at the elbows and feet. Occasionally, she will wear a shawl. Her voice is never raised, but has great range. Contemptuous and original and with a fierce family loyalty. She never uses a cliché except to be funny. She is a thoughtful hostess in her way and, if a guest needs anything, he is advised to scream for it. The children are instructed to observe the amenities and always kick Daddy good night.” - Chas Addams

Charles Addams claimed to have thought up her name while leafing through the yellow pages in a phone book (they used to deliver books full of local phone numbers to our houses!) when he stumbled upon the listings for Morticians. People speculated as to whether she was based on any of his three wives, but he denied that vehemently. He just happened to love thin, pale women with dark hair, and managed to marry the woman of his dreams three times. Though he did marry his third wife in an Addams family-themed wedding in a pet cemetery, so make of that what you will.

Carolyn Jones was cast in the 1964 TV series, despite not being taller than their Gomez, John Astin. He wasn’t a tall man by any account, so I’m assuming she was the best Morticia in the auditions and had the best chemistry with their leading man. Their chemistry on screen was excellent, but also the right amount of comical. While Gomez was frequently overcome with passion whenever Morticia spoke French, or any other foreign language, Morticia often brushed him off. There were other things to do. They could get carried away later.

She called him “Querido”, “Mon Cherie”, and “Bubele”, a yiddish nickname that wasn’t continued with subsequent Morticias. The show established that Morticia held Gomez in the palm of her hand (left, below). Unfortunately, both because it was a sitcom and because it was the 1960s, there had to be hilarious misunderstandings that undercut her power over him somewhat. In more than one episode, she was given reason to doubt that Gomez really loved her, and was driven into the trope of the worried housewife, fretting over what to do. It always worked out in the end, of course. Sitcoms always do.

The TV show is where Morticia started the habit of cutting the heads off of roses, making bouquets of only the stems (right, above). She spent a lot of time tending her various plants. She had an African strangler named Cleopatra, which continued in other incarnations later on. In the show, she fed it “hamburger meat”. On camera, it looked like meatballs or very small burgers. It threatened to eat a few people, but Morticia assured them that humans gave Cleopatra heartburn.

1960s Morticia indulged in painting more than later versions of her. They didn’t always show what she was painting, but often showed her behind an easel, working on something. When they did show the painting, it was something unusual. More frequently, they simply said what she was painting.

She was also seen knitting frequently. Sometimes she would be knitting a scarf that was well over 20 feet long, looping around the living room furniture. Other times, it would be a sweater with a very long neck or extra limbs, likely a reference to the comic below, which was also referenced in the 1993 movie Addams Family Values.

While her mother, Hester Frump, was played by Margaret Hamilton (the wicked witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz), and Morticia herself was described as a witch in the series, the witchcraft was mostly implied. She was shown “smoking”, producing smoke by simply crossing her arms and concentrating, but she didn’t tell fortunes or mix potions like her mother-in-law Grandmama Addams does. Once they got to 1991, Anjelica Huston’s Morticia stated that she was a witch, and that in school she majored in “spells and hexes”.

Huston’s Morticia is level-headed and fully assured of herself. When things go badly for the family, she’s the one who holds everything together. Like her co-star Raul Julia, she is my generation’s gold standard for the character.

I think Morticia takes a little step backwards in the musical, suddenly being unsure of herself because she’s showing a few wrinkles. Bebe Neuwirth was amazing on Broadway, but Gomez would never be bothered by his wife showing her age. He loves everything, and he loves his wife even more. She should know that.

The 2019 animated version of Morticia is wickedly wonderful. Here, she does show some kind of magical powers, unless producing thousands of spiders to make a walkable bridge is just gross and not actually magical. She also talks to her deceased parents on a crystal ball, a form of communication repeated in the 2022 Netflix series.

In the Netflix series, Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Morticia is a side character so far, so we only see her in a few episodes. We know she has psychic visions that are positive, the polar opposite of her pessimistic daughter, but we haven’t seen any of her visions. She’s also madly in love with Gomez and as easily carried away as he is, which is a problem for their embarrassed children. We’ve been told we’ll get a better look into Wednesday’s home life in season 2, so it’s likely there will be even more of Morticia there. Maybe we’ll even see Cleopatra!

[quitealotofsodapop]

How did SWK deal with Xiaoyangs kicks? I know he probably felt something with MK through the sympathetic connection, but feeling it in real time has to be something else.

...and then he understands perfectly Mac's pain when his organs are used for band practice XD

There's a reason Xiaoyang is later nicknamed "Rumble" XD

When Macaque was having MK: SWK's sympathetic connection made it feel like hiccups/butterflies in his stomach. With the twins tho? Feels like a cage match has broken out inside his body.

Not only does SWK underestimate the sheer force of the kicks, but since the sympathetic connection went both ways; the twins would frequently "brawl" in response to the other's kicking. Almost like how regular twins "fight" in the womb.

First time SWK feels an actual kick, he jumps thinking he just got stabbed with something. Mac was nearby and just started laughing at his mate's confusion.

SWK: "Wait... when you said that MK would tap dance on your liver, you weren't being dramatic?" 0_0 Mac: "Yes peach. Turns out not having much to do in there makes an undercooked super-powered monkey very bored." SWK: "Now I feel sorry for the boulder that made me." Mac: "Hmm, not me. Iron Fan said that having Red Son was like having eternal heartburn. She was miserable until he was born." Xiaoyue/Savage: *very light kick* :3 Xiaoyang/Rumble: *kicks harder* >:o! Mac, wincing from sympathy pain: "...but I can feel your point." Shadowpeach: *hug eachother for comfort*

[glitterguts13]

Okay, how about any of the Genshin guys being embarrassed by various pregnancy symptoms (their size, sudden lactation, mood swings)?

Rapid fire round! What symptom causes them the most embarrassment!

Mondstadt

Albedo Pregnancy brain/general forgetfulness

Bennett Loss of balance/being unable to get back up when sitting down

Diluc Mood swings

Kaeya Frequent urination

Mika Morning sickness/sensitivity to smells

Razor The change of own scent

Venti Bloating/gaining baby weight

Liyue

Baizhu Mood swings/Morning sickness

Chongyun Cravings/Food aversions

Gaming Lactation/Discharge

Xiao Bloating/Loss of agility

Xingqiu Swollen breasts/Cravings

Zhongli Constipation

Inazuma Arataki Itto Darkening/Swelling of his nipples

Ayato Heartburn/Gas

Gorou Tender breasts/change in his scent

Kazuha Back pain/leg pain

Heizou Frequent urination

Thoma Being unable to perform his daily chores

Sumeru

AlHaitham Forgetfullyness/Swollen breasts

Cyno Hemorrhoids

Kaveh Lactation/Heartburn

Sethos Swollen ankles/Overal aches and pains that slow him down

Tighnari Mood swings/Nausea

Fontain

Freminet Bloating/Gas

Lyney Discharge/Spider Veins

Neuvillette Lactation /Heartburn

Wrio Back pain/Swelling Natlan Kinich Mood Swings/Spotting Ororon Increased Libido

Fatui

Dottore Bloating

Capitano Tender breasts

Pantalone All of it

Pierro Back pain/Heartburn

Tartaglia Dizziness

Wanderer Bloating/Headaches