"Ma'am, please take deep breaths… and please try to push," the midwife spoke carefully to Bella, keeping her voice calm and encouraging.
Bella lay on the hospital bed inside the private delivery room, her entire face covered in sweat.
Her hair had become messy.
Several strands had fallen loose and were sticking to her damp forehead and cheeks. Her breathing was uneven and her fingers were tightly curled around the bedsheet as another painful contraction moved through her body.
She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to follow the midwife's instructions.
"Deep breaths… that's it. Slowly…"
Bella inhaled deeply through her nose, trying to control her breathing.
For a few seconds, she managed to follow the rhythm.
Then the pain suddenly became stronger.
Her eyebrows pulled together, her lips trembled and her entire expression changed.
"Ahh…" A small cry escaped her lips.
The midwife immediately leaned closer.
