Decision

Decision
The doctor nodded in understanding. “The procedure itself usually takes about thirty minutes. Closing the uterine incision will take approximately another thirty-five minutes. Altogether, you’ll be in the operating room for roughly an hour.”
“Doctor… will the operation be painful?” Raellyn finally asked, her voice tight with unease. Her fingers twisted nervously in the blanket on her lap. The mere thought of her stomach being cut open to bring her baby into the world was enough to make her feel faint.
“Please don’t worry,” the young doctor replied gently. “Before the procedure begins, we will administer either an epidural or a spinal anesthesia, an injection along your spine. It will numb your body from the waist down, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery.”
“Is that general anesthesia or partial?” Arnav interjected, his tone sharp and alert. He had been following the conversation intently, and the clinical details clearly mattered to him. He sounded like a man determined to understand every risk.
“General anesthesia is only used in emergency situations,” the doctor explained patiently. “For scheduled cesarean sections, we typically use regional anesthesia so the mother remains conscious. However, even if Mrs. Arnav is awake during the procedure, the hospital strongly advises that you do not witness the actual surgery. A thin sterile drape will be placed between her chest and abdomen to block the surgical area. This helps minimize stress and anxiety for the patient.”
Arnav’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like the thought of being separated from her for even a moment, but he also didn’t want Raellyn to see anything that might frighten her. His thumb stroked the back of her hand, as if silently promising he would still be her anchor no matter what.
“What do I need to prepare for that, Doctor?” Raellyn asked, her voice soft but tight with worry.
“For now, just lie down. I’ll perform the routine examination first,” the young doctor replied.
Raellyn obeyed, though the knot of fear in her chest refused to loosen. She tried to steady her breathing, but her heart still raced. The doctor, perhaps sensing the tension in her expression, spoke again in a calm, reassuring tone.
“Mrs. Arnav, there’s no need to be afraid. You don’t need to think about the procedure itself, that’s our responsibility. What you should focus on is this: after the operation, you will finally meet your baby.”
He turned the screen toward her, and the grainy black-and-white image showed her baby wriggling slightly within her womb.
“Look here,” the doctor said gently. “Your baby is active and healthy. He looks eager and impatient even to meet his parents. And I’m sure you’re just as eager to see him, aren’t you, Mrs. Arnav?”
Raellyn’s fingers tightened around Arnav’s hand, clinging to his warmth and strength. “Yes, Doctor,” she whispered. Her eyes softened as she watched the faint movements on the screen.
“Then hold on to that thought,” the doctor said with a warm smile. “And don’t forget to pray. A calm heart is the best gift for both mother and child.”
Raellyn’s throat tightened, and for a moment she couldn’t speak. Her mind conjured images of bright lights and the cold touch of surgical instruments, of her body on the operating table. It frightened her but then she felt Arnav’s hand on her cheek, warm and steady.
“Look at me,” he said softly.
She did. In his dark eyes, she saw the strength she needed. He might be afraid too, but he would never show it. He had to be her pillar.
“Whatever happens,” he murmured, “I’m right here. You’ll never face this alone, Raellyn.”
Her chest swelled with emotion, and she nodded, letting a slow exhale leave her lips. The doctor smiled knowingly at the silent exchange between husband and wife.
“Remember,” he said finally, “a calm heart is the best gift for both mother and child. Keep that love close, it will carry you through everything.”
Arnav pressed another kiss to her forehead as she leaned into his touch. And for a fleeting moment, despite the cold hospital room and the looming operation, Raellyn felt safe. Between Arnav’s warmth and the rhythmic movement of their unborn child, she knew she wasn’t alone and that love would guide her through the uncertainty ahead.

And at last, the moment they had been waiting for arrived.
With their hands tightly entwined, Raellyn stepped into the delivery room, her breath shallow beneath the sharp scent of antiseptic. The pale green gown draped over her body served as a constant reminder this was the day she would undergo a C-section. Her heart pounded with both anticipation and dread.
“Arnav…” Her voice trembled as she tightened her grip on his hand, clinging to it as if it were the only anchor in a vast, stormy sea.
Feeling the raw fear radiating from her, Arnav closed his other hand over hers and bent to press a soft kiss to her forehead. His lips lingered for a heartbeat, warm and reassuring. “We can do this, love,” he murmured, his voice a tender vow. “Trust me. Trust us.”
Raellyn nodded weakly, drawing in a careful breath as she willed herself to believe that everything would be alright, that she and their baby would come out safe on the other side of this.
Moments later, the doctor entered the room, his presence calm and professional amidst the humming machines and glinting instruments.
“As we discussed during your last consultation,” he began gently, his tone steady but kind, “this procedure will start with an epidural or spinal anesthesia administered through your lower back. This will numb you from the waist down so that you won’t feel pain during the operation.”
The words sank in, bringing both reassurance and a sharp twist of reality. Raellyn’s free hand instinctively brushed her swollen belly, feeling the faint movement of the life within her. Arnav remained by her side, never letting go, his thumb tracing circles across her knuckles, grounding her in his quiet strength.
Once the lower half of Raellyn’s body was confirmed to be fully numb, the medical team began the next preparations. A catheter was carefully inserted into her urethra, a necessary step to allow urine to drain during the operation. Alongside this, the doctor performed a quick pubic hair trim to ensure a clear, sterile area for the upcoming incision.