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The doctor wrapped a pair of belts, the fetal heart monitors around the tall male's rotund and heavy abdomen. One belt uses a Doppler to detect and monitor the fetal heart rate. The other belt measures the length and intervals of the contractions. The nurse began monitoring the first contraction to appear, gently pushing around Suguru's heavy, gravid middle with routine efficiency, humming approvingly.
Visibly grimacing, Satoru stood in place behind Suguru, rubbing circles into his aching hips.
"Movement has been helping me through the last two months. Ever since baby boy here got his size from his paternal parent and left me to incubate him. It's been difficult on my sleep, as baby boy here has been craving sugar and is active during the nighttime." Suguru playfully glares at Satoru, a sheepish smile splays upon his lips. "Not to mention, with the genetics our son has? He was measuring on the larger side. Which has put immense pressure on my hips, legs and especially my back."
"I'm sure baby Gojo is testing your limits as much as your goofy husband does on the daily." Shoko jabbed lightheartedly, sitting up and chuckling as the whooshing sound of the Doppler moving past the placenta. "The Gojo heir's heartbeat would sound like an expensive horse in an auction."
"Labor is more of a waiting game than giving birth." The assigned nurse noted, moving around the room as Suguru, with the help of Satoru, changed into a comfortable, yet convenient outfit. "You chose the birthing center to not have so much intervention with the process of labor and to be more comfortable in a non-hospital setting." Birth centers were becoming a more popularized option for couples. The process would be more intimate and less clinical than birthing in a hospital. It was proven difficult for first-time parents to have their newborn babies being handled by doctors and nurses, strangers to the couple. And the thought of someone pretending to be a nurse and taking their newborn in broad daylight sent a shiver down Suguru's spine.
"In your chart, it is documented that the administration of gas and air is perfectly fine. You as the patient do not want to be in the hospital unless it is a dire situation upon you and your baby boy. Your preference is wanting as hands off as possible, unless when a nurse is checking you and during the birth itself. Your preference is less people as possible in your birthing area. Are these requirements correct?" The nurse read off of the patient's chart. Suguru nodded as he winced, rubbing the exposed part of his rotund stomach underneath the fetal heart rate monitor. Satoru rushed over to Suguru, who waved the taller male away with a heavy sigh. Collecting himself, Suguru inhaled and exhaled as he swayed gently. The nurse encouraged the patient to continue with his breathing, as the nurse predicts the contractions will pick up and soon, Suguru would be highly relying on vocalization to carry him through the contractions.
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Long and low moans presented itself in the hours of 2am. Where people of Tokyo slept, Suguru spent that hour inching closer and closer to meeting the new meaning to life. Suguru languidly swayed from side to side, tightening his vice on Satoru's shirt. Satoru whispered sweet nothings into Suguru's ear, encouraging his lover, who was beginning to become too overwhelmed. At the mention of changing positions in hopes of moving labor along, he moans a guttural noise, shaking his head and remained against Satoru, leaning most of his weight against the taller lover. Suguru flaps his lips, sighing deeply as he felt the hideous hospital gown being lifted. The nurse places two fingers inside the birthing canal and measures the width of the opening using fingers to approximate the distance.
"You're opening up beautifully, sweetheart. You are approximately 5 1/2 centimeter dialed and 85% effaced. Baby's in cephalic position, just as he needs to be. Hopefully, baby boy will stay in position, which will increase the chances of the birth happening smoothly." The nurse smiled warmheartedly, patting the long haired male's knee. "You're doing a great job, keep up the momentum. You will need it during the second stage of labor."
As the nurse was documenting his vitals, another nurse knocked on the door. Entering in, the nurse rolled in an exercise ball, informing the males on how to utilize the exercise ball. The nurse informed Suguru on the positions that can be used to further dilate and assist in bringing the baby down. Suguru laughed with unconcern, waving it off as the nurse exited the room. Suguru was handed his cellphone by Satoru, who gestured at the phone. "Nanako and Mimiko are in the waiting room. The girls are getting antsy waiting for a reply. Should we let them visit?”
Suguru’s salute cheeks rose and a huge smile graced his lips. Suguru nods his head, his hand moving to his enlarged stomach. Satoru moved his hand back to the phone’s keyboard, his fingers moving rapidly as he sent the twins the details to the hospital room.
Barely five minutes later, the duo sees in their peripheral, two heads poking in. Shoko ushered the antsy girls into the room from them hallway. Much to the girls's surprise, their parental figure was peppering kisses against his lover's jawline, lifting his jaw with his fingers.
"Are we interrupting anything between you both?" Shoko states, rolling her eyes as she twirls a cigarette between her fingers. "Because you don't need to be jumping the bones in creating another baby Gojo." The two teenage girls giggled, which was harmony to Suguru's ears. "You already have a baby in the process of being born. And you have guests."
Suguru allowed the comment, too busy with soothing his two girls, who expressed concern and excitement over their soon-to-be baby brother.
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Back of the throat noises emit as Suguru continues rocking back and forth with the motion of the yoga ball. Satoru frowned, rubbing circles into the small of his back. Suguru dug his nails into the flesh of his plush thighs, firmly pressing his bottom down and circles his hips, lightly.
"Shhhhhh Sugu-chan, tell me what you need. I am here to support you."
With the emotions swiveling around and the pain intensifying, Suguru remained silent. He knew he was unable to think rationally and instead, pressed his face into the crook of his partner's neck. Satoru carded his fingers through Suguru's long hair. Suguru hung his head low, inhaling through his nose and exhaling roughly, pursing his lip as he rocked forward. Suguru hummed lowly and place a hand on his partner's hip. A sharp groan escaped Geto's lips, viewing the nurse entering the birthing room.
"Baby really likes it in there." The nurse comments after examining said patient. "You must have made it nice and cozy for him. He seems to not want to vacate the premise of his warm home."
"it's time for him to vacate the premise. Or else he is going to be grounded once he's born."
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Shoko shrugged as she accompanied Megumi into the large, white room. The kid had a death wish upon him. The duo entered the room expecting cries and groans wafted from the connected bathroom. Instead, they were met with Satoru, having a firm grip on Suguru’s plush hip as the other swayed from side-to-side.
"How are you holdin' up?" Megumi asked, lowering his eyes to the floor. It wasn't like Megumi was not comfortable with the duo. It was the opposite, Megumi was grateful to have a family dynamic as strong as there's. But here Suguru was, topless and gripping a stress toy impossibly tight, paying no mind as he placed most of his weight against Satoru.
"Well Gumi-Chan....ask us once Akemi makes his entrance into the world." Satoru says softly, brushing Suguru’s bangs away from his sweaty forehead. Suguru buries his head into the crevices of Satoru's neck and wrapped his right arm around his shoulder. "Suguru is managing to the best of ability. Akemi is being a little stubborn. Back labor and hip contractions." Using his free hand, Satoru applied pressure onto the lower of his fiancée's back. Suguru sighs, leaning in further.
"Megs, don't have children unless you are prepared for the other forms of pain they don't instruct you on."
Megumi stays put during one of Suguru's contractions. Megumi views the clenching of Suguru's taut, gravid middle. Megumi doesn't miss the way Satoru rubs Suguru's back of hips. Nor does he miss the way Suguru desperately grabs Satoru's shirt, a sharp cry of pain ringing throughout the room.
Megumi says his goodbyes and departs from the room. Megumi sighs softly, about to turn the corner when Yuuji appears suddenly. Both Megumi and Yuuji halt in their tracks, as Yuuji’s captured by Megumi's beauty. A blush blossoms over Megumi's cheekbones.
"W-what are you staring at me like that for?"
"Seeing you just makes me fortunate to have you in my life."
Inside, Suguru stripped the hospital required clothes and was all bare. Suguru groans darkly against Satoru’s chest as he rocked back and forth. Satoru placed a palm against the small of his partner's back and attempted to soothe the ache stabbing his back. Suguru shook his head frantically, just repeating that he needed an epidural until he was rendered unable to speak by another contraction. The nurse caught wind of the pained conversation, where Suguru lowered himself a squatting position. The nurse quickly examined the laboring parent-to-be, determining Suguru was edging 7 centimeters and was able to use the gas and air pump.
Suguru took deep breaths of the gas and air, scrunching up his face as he held onto Satoru. Taking a few more deep breaths, he hung his head low and cried out into the mask, the oxygen clouding up.
Suguru huffed and puffed against the nozzle, tightening his vice against Satoru's wrist. His legs writhed against the bed sheets, rustling as he reached the peak. Suguru groaned deeply, his volume increasing as he closed his eyes, lurching his heavy stomach forward.
"Nnggghh....ohhhhh god!" he eeks out around the nozzle in his mouth. Suguru patted his hand around the bed before grabbing Satoru's hand, tightening his vice before emitting deep groans.
-———
Suguru circles his hips firmly on the ball during the peak of his current contraction. Throwing his head back, Suguru rolls his hips with the help of his partner. Soon however, he lift his hips off the ball and low sobs emit. Suguru's partner frowns heavily, placing the palm of his hand against his widen hip and squeezed. Loud cries summoned a nurse during the intense peak. Suguru shakes his head furiously, slowly positioning himself back on the ball, only to sob loudly when the intensity shot up his back. "Oh god! Oh god, oh god, OH GOD!"
Shoko sighed as she heard a loud, high-pitch yell lingering in the hall, making her way to her best friend’s hospital room. Shoko lifted her hand but didn't bother to knock, shifting her eyes to the side of the room. Suguru desperately gripped Satoru’s top, crying above octane as the latest surge. The nurse besides the couple monitored the parent-to-be's contraction, as well as if the baby is handling labor without present distress.
Once the nurse left the couple, Suguru experienced another contraction. Suguru tightly gripped the nozzle, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Suguru gritted his teeth, before loosening his grip on the gas and air. The nozzle ricocheted from the wall to the floor, causing a long clank to echo throughout the room. Satoru frowns heavily, maneuvering his hand to be placed on his hips when Suguru slapped his hand away.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Suguru spats out, desperately clinging to the seams of Satoru’s shirt. "Don't touuuuuuch!"
"That's it, love." Satoru cooed, eyes down casting as Shoko approached the duo. "Just like that. You're doing so well. So, so, so well. Just keep breathing,"
Suguru tightened his vice against Satoru’s hand, shoving his face against the pillow. Suguru is at the point of no return. He can barely utter words, no less a sentence. All he can release from the back of his throat are guttural noises.
Frustration seeps into his pained shouts. Suguru's vocalization escalates as the next contraction tumbles and crashes his uterine wall. Suguru grabs the top hems of his lover's shirt and leans over. Suguru applied his weight against Satoru's chest, wailing miserably. Suguru whimpered as the contraction waned, forming a discomforting sensation, which settled in the small of his back and pulsates within his widen hips.
The couple sway in the middle of the room. Suguru cries out loudly, leaning his weight into his partner. Suguru briefly swings his hips from side-to-side, pushing through the contraction. Unfortunately, the peak arose quickly. Suguru increased his vice against Satoru's shoulder
"Nnngggghhhhh!" Suguru whimpers, keeping a hand over the hanging swell of his gravid stomach. "Ohhhhhhhhh baby, Come onnnnn! Join us in earth side already!"
Back of the throat noises echoed throughout the room as the laboring male squatting attempted to power through the peak. Suguru frantically shook his head from side-to-side, tightening his vice against Satoru's hands. Suguru's back of the throat noises crescendoed to loud cries, causing Satoru to squeeze his partner's hands.
"Suguru, look at me," Satoru says over Suguru's loud cries. "I need you to look at me and copy my breathing. Think you can do that?" Suguru shakes lightly, gritting his teeth as the contraction lessened in pressure.
A nurse places a hand on Suguru, who was rocking front and back against the exercise ball. Suguru growled as he slammed his hand against Satoru's shoulder. The nurse swiftly applied a small amount of ultrasound gel before placing the fetal doppler probe against Suguru's abdomen. The baby's heartbeat, which was described by Satoru as clip-clopping of horses trotting, wafted the room. Suguru relaxed slightly against the exercise ball, unclenching his jaw and his vice against Satoru's arm. Satoru's eyes lightened us as he heard his son's heartbeat.
"This will be our last moment as a family of 6. Before we know it, Akemi will be here. Our light, our shine. Ours."
Another contraction struck Suguru as he motioned to Satoru to assist him with standing. It was tight and the pressure in his hips and back were brutal. Satoru coached his breathing through the pain just like the nurse taught them when nurses came back in.
The nurse warned the couple about transition.
Suguru gutural groans cancelled any noise within the proximity. Satoru placed a cold compact against Suguru's back. The previous nurse explained to the father-to-be to use the cold compact to combat acute back pain as the numbing effect decreases sensation and awareness of pain. Suguru moaned deep in agony, placing his head within his arms.
Back of the throat cries crescendoed to shrill wails. Suguru leaned further against the exercise ball, squeezing his eyes shut, as he rocked his body from side-to-side. Satoru frowned as his partner's vocalization only grew louder.
"I can't do this, Satoru! Satoru, please don't make me do this!" The rest of Suguru's sentence disappeared in a growling cry, his large stomach tightening as he attempts to double over. Shaking his head in both directions, Suguru tiredly slaps Satoru's broad shoulder repeatedly as he rocks against him. With her thumbs toward the center, and the other fingers spread, a nurse grips Suguru's plush hips. With the heel of her hands, she begins to push and rotate in toward the center, and then up slightly. The nurse held the squeeze in the center as loud, gutural noises escape Suguru's mouth.
"P-pressure," Suguru whimpers, his nails digging deep into Satoru's arm. "His h-head! P-pressing down!"
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The nurse gestured for both Satoru and Shoko to come forward. Hesitantly, both complied. The nurse went to explain that because the baby was on the larger side, that Suguru would need extra help. Guiding both Satoru and Shoko into position, the nurse directed Satoru to hold up Suguru's leg. "To prepare for the big moment, let's give one more practice push. That way you know what to expect when your baby boy arrives."
Reluctantly agreeing to the nurse's suggestion, Suguru nods and gave into the next contraction. A piercing cry escaped Suguru's lips as he sagged into the bed, his chest heavy with exert as he attempts to catch his breath.
Another practice push, with the baby not budging from position. The doctor encouraged another push, with Suguru kneeling against Satoru. Suguru pressed down against his bottom, crying out as he gripped Satoru's shoulders.
"That was fucking awful!" Suguru whined, heavily breathing as he writhes his legs against the bed. "A-Akemi! Why did you have to inherit your papa's big, big head?" As the nurses counted to ten, a high pitch cry emitted from Suguru's lips. Suguru threw his head back, huffing and puffing, as he attempted to catch his breath.
After dilating to 10, the waiting game began. The nurse externally examined the baby's movement by pressing her glove covered hands against the massive bump.
Placing a cold cloth against his head, Satoru intertwined his hands with Suguru, anticipating the wait as his best friend and lover was gasping and writhing against the searing agony invoked by their son's impending birth. On command, Suguru pressed his chin to his chest and bore down against the immense pressure. Suguru scrunched up his face, allowing a high pitch yelp to escape.
Counting to ten, Suguru grunted loudly as he threw his head back. The nurse gave an encouragement to the panting patient, patting his thigh as his breathing occurred through his nose and exhaling through his mouth. Suguru tilted his head to the ceiling and sighed, rolling his head to the side where he saw the admiration shone from Satoru's eyes as he gently fixed the lap belt slipping against his globular abdomen.
Suguru pressed his chin to his chest and bore down with the immediate pressure. Suguru's feet writhed against the sheets, pained shouting occurring as the pain expanded in the abdomen.
_______
Crowning. Suguru swore he never felt pain like the fierce, burning ring searing through his lower body. Suguru desperately clung to Satoru's shoulder as he furiously shook his head and shouted. The nurse pressed a warm, damp washcloth against his opening, which eased the sting a bit.
As the top of the baby's head began to crown, Suguru cried above octane and arched his back. He sagged into Satoru’s arms. The baby's head sinks back in, causing Suguru to shake.
"Why is he going back in?!"
Frustration bubbles in Suguru. He was overdue, miserable, and wanted to see his girls with their new brother. Satoru frowns heavily, lifting up Suguru’s hand and presses a gentle kiss against his knuckles.
After all of the progress Suguru made, the baby's head slid back. With the help of the dad-to-be and the nurses, motioned for a change in position. With much reluctance, the brunette was moved off his back. Carefully, the team of nurses placed Suguru on his knees, gathering blankets and pillows to bring comfort.
"Come on, sweetheart, we need to get you on your hands and knees. Baby needs a little help and the doctor thinks gravity may assist in bringing your baby down," a nurse says calmly, gathering the medical items to the side of the hospital bed.
The nurse instructed the team of nurses to assist with Suguru’s change in position. Gingerly, two nurses, with the assistance of Satoru, placed the long haired male on his hands and knees.
A burning sensation seared through Suguru's pliant body, causing a loud scream to pierce through the room. His scream was still loud even when muffled by Satoru's shoulder. Clawing at Satoru's bicep as the intensity his body experienced tenfold, Suguru's instinct chanting loudly to block the agony out and focus. A warm compress was gently pressed to his canal as he felt the burning stretch and expand to accommodate the emergence of the baby's head. Scrunching his face up, Suguru's bore down with another, this time feeling his folds spread in support of his son's emerging head. Suguru lets the latest push go with an exasperated grunt and the next after that with an even harder, frustrated one.
"Good push, sweetheart! C'mon, a little bit more, that's it. Bring that baby down." Back of the throat noise escaped Suguru's lips. The doctor's glove clad finger circled the rim of Suguru's birth canal, assisting the baby's head. "7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Beautiful job bringing down your baby. Deep breath and go again" the doctor encouraged, the doctor's glove clad finger circled the rim of Suguru's birth canal. Suguru groaned inwardly, hanging his head as he pressed down his bottom.
"Daaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Suguru cries out harshly, yanking Satoru's sleeve.
"Nnngggghhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh!” Suguru bore down, gritting his teeth. His birthing canal slowly expanded, Akemi's head inching little by little. Suguru shook his head and bore his teeth into his lip, drawing a small amount of blood.
"That's it, momma, just like that. You’re bringing him down, gently. Don’t rush, you don’t want to tear.” The nurse soothed.
The birth canal is stretched impossibly tight around the baby's head, tuffs of slicked black hair peaking through.
"Look, the baby has hair! Want to see?" Suguru shook his head and moaned disconsolately, legs writhing against the sheets. With much encouragement from Shoko, Suguru slid his hand to where the baby's head protrudes. Suguru smiled weakly, his fingers ghosting the top of the baby's head. Gently lifting his head up, Suguru sees the unshoned tears lingering in the taller male's eyes.
The moment was interrupted as Suguru’s abdomen tightly clenched. A sharp groan emits from the back of his throat as he presses his chin down and bears down. Satoru peaks down briefly, observing the birth canal stretching further, supporting a tear drop shape. Suguru halts his pushing, yanking Satoru’s attention from looking. “Eyes up here, Satoru.” Suguru grits through his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut as another contraction seizes his taut abdomen. Suguru bore down with a powerful push. Suguru’s eyes opened, widening as the immense pressure caused a shrilled noise to escape. The nurses went straight to assist the doctor with the baby’s head. He bursts out from a tight crown, fluid gushing from Suguru’s birthing canal. The nurse suctioned the fluids from the baby’s nose and mouth, before turning their attention back to the charge nurse.
"Ah ha! That explains the back labor," The charge nurse suddenly states. "Baby is faced front!" Suguru moans loud and aggressive, writhing his legs as the doctor's gloved palms cupped the birth canal. The mound of the baby's head remained in between the doctor’s hands. Pressurized air escapes Suguru's lips as the baby's ears slowly poked out. Another big push. Suguru whimpers rippled from out his throat, panting as he leaned towards Satoru. "Akemi got my ears," Suguru whimpers, leaning into Satoru.
"Genetics has the last laugh. Big baby, big ears!"
"One more, one more!" Everyone in the room chanted, only to become silenced by with a high pitched, shrieking noise. Suguru's eyes became glassy, tears pouring down his face as the baby was placed into his arms.
"Hand me my baby, hand me my Akemi." Suguru soft spoken inquiry took Satoru by surprise. Tears streamed down his face as he watched their newborn child being placed on his partner's awaiting chest.