It didn't take any time at all, it seemed, before John was dilated and ready to push. Sherlock really had no idea how long it was, he was too busy holding John's hand and grimacing as he squeezed through another contraction.
And then when it was time to push, the squeezes became even more powerful. Sherlock was sure that his hand was bruised, but he he tried not to think about it while the healer, who had summoned two helpers while John was in the beginning pars of labor, was helping his mate through the birth.
When Thomas was born, the bigger of the two, he let out a giant wail, letting the entire world know that he was around and that he didn't like what had just happened.
In moments, the cord was cut and one of the Demoness helpers was washing and weighing and checking him over.
But they hardly had time to think about it. John went back into labor surprisingly quick, and Elizabeth, the much smaller of the two, was born to a much quieter room.
Tension filled the air. She was quiet, and the healer worked on her, clearing her airway and rubbing her back.
And then, finally, a tiny little mewling cry. It was small and soft, but it was there. She was breathing. But she was a lot smaller than her brother, and Sherlock knew instinctively that she would need more attention when they were brought home.
By the time John passed the placenta, they were dried and weighed and examined and wrapped in tiny nappies that were too big for their tiny forms, and hats that dwarfed their little heads, and blanket that swaddled them several times over.
Typical for twins, especially ones born early, they were small, Thomas was 4lbs 6 oz, a bit over normal for a twin born at 31 weeks. Elizabeth was under the weight curve, at 3 lbs, 14oz, half a pound smaller than her brother. Thomas was 17 inches, about normal for a preemie twin, while Elizabeth was 14 inches.
But they were almost miraculously breathing on their own, and they didn't seem to be showing any signs of jaundice. They seemed to be pretty healthy, if not undersized and weight.
no subject
And then when it was time to push, the squeezes became even more powerful. Sherlock was sure that his hand was bruised, but he he tried not to think about it while the healer, who had summoned two helpers while John was in the beginning pars of labor, was helping his mate through the birth.
When Thomas was born, the bigger of the two, he let out a giant wail, letting the entire world know that he was around and that he didn't like what had just happened.
In moments, the cord was cut and one of the Demoness helpers was washing and weighing and checking him over.
But they hardly had time to think about it. John went back into labor surprisingly quick, and Elizabeth, the much smaller of the two, was born to a much quieter room.
Tension filled the air. She was quiet, and the healer worked on her, clearing her airway and rubbing her back.
And then, finally, a tiny little mewling cry. It was small and soft, but it was there. She was breathing. But she was a lot smaller than her brother, and Sherlock knew instinctively that she would need more attention when they were brought home.
By the time John passed the placenta, they were dried and weighed and examined and wrapped in tiny nappies that were too big for their tiny forms, and hats that dwarfed their little heads, and blanket that swaddled them several times over.
Typical for twins, especially ones born early, they were small, Thomas was 4lbs 6 oz, a bit over normal for a twin born at 31 weeks. Elizabeth was under the weight curve, at 3 lbs, 14oz, half a pound smaller than her brother. Thomas was 17 inches, about normal for a preemie twin, while Elizabeth was 14 inches.
But they were almost miraculously breathing on their own, and they didn't seem to be showing any signs of jaundice. They seemed to be pretty healthy, if not undersized and weight.