The Nonoption.

     The other morning Catie woke up with a start. She was really upset about something, but I couldn't tell what. Turns out that for the first time the anticipation of the pain of childbirth had just dawned on her. I was at a loss. Unfortunately, before my brain could catch up to my mouth I said, "Well, it's not like you have a choice." Apparently that wasn't as comforting as I had hoped. So, I tried to reinforce the comfort level with, "Besides, people have been doing this since...well, since people have been around." She responded with, "Yeah, but people die doing this." Me: "Well, that doesn't happen as much lately..."
     How am I supposed to comfort her when there is an actual danger? Her mom was in full on labor for two days. As much as I don't like the idea of using pitocin, two days is a little long to go without labor pains coming to fruition. They told Catie's mom to drive over railroad tracks and eat spicy food. Whatever works, I guess. But still, I have no way to comfort her, to provide certainty, to tell her that it's going to be okay when I actually don't know it will be. I can hope, and I can try to help, but really my work here is done. I was just around for the good bits, she's doing all the work. I just hope she knows that I'll do anything I actually can to help. Whatever that might be.