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Chapter 29: Caesarean Section

The atmosphere in the room was tense and solemn, with only the crackling sound of firewood burning in the brazier and the busy footsteps of the midwife echoing in the air.

Wei Lan quickly explained the situation to Ming Yi: “This is a footling breech, and the situation is extremely critical.”

Although Ming Yi had little experience in delivering babies, he knew from his medical books that a footling breech almost always meant disaster. The chances of survival were minimal, and it often ended tragically with the death of both mother and child. His face was heavy, and he asked solemnly, “What is your solution?”

Wei Lan thought for a moment and spoke frankly: “I have a plan that might save the baby’s life, but as for the mother… I cannot be completely sure.” A trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes.

Ming Yi anxiously pressed, “What method?”

Wei Lan said with emphasis, “Caesarean section.”

These three short words struck the hearts of everyone like a heavy hammer. The room seemed to freeze instantly, and everyone appeared to hold their breath. The only sound was the crackling of the firewood, which only intensified the feeling of urgency and gravity.

Ming Yi was stunned at first, a look of surprise crossing his face, but he quickly regained his composure. This method, though risky, might be the only chance for survival. He looked at Wei Lan and said, “Xiao Lan, I trust you, and I believe in miracles.”

Li’s cook, the woman’s son, upon hearing this, stood frozen, as though paralyzed. He mechanically repeated, “Caesarean… Caesarean…” In that moment, he recalled his wife’s joyful smile when she had first learned of her pregnancy. The happiness on her face seemed to return as if it were only yesterday. But now, to have her undergo a Caesarean section, even if the child survives, how could his beloved wife endure this trial?

He suddenly screamed hoarsely, “No! I absolutely won’t allow it!” His cry of despair and reluctance echoed through the room.

Seeing this, Ming Yi quickly stepped forward, trying to calm the man who was on the brink of losing control: “At this moment, we have no choice but to fight for life, or else both mother and child will surely die. What will you choose?”

These words were like a sharp blow to the head. The cook’s son, however, was plunged deeper into confusion and helplessness, as if lost in the darkness, questioning himself, “Is there really no other way?”

His body trembled uncontrollably, tears welling up in his eyes. Finally, he could no longer suppress his emotions and broke down, crying out loud in despair, “What to do? What to do?” In this moment, he could only surrender everything to fate.

The rest of the family, hearing Ming Yi’s words, were already crying bitterly. Their eyes were filled with sorrow and reluctance, their faces etched with despair. Deep in their hearts, they had silently prepared themselves for the worst, and in their minds, the mournful funeral scene was already unfolding. The sadness seemed to spread like a tide throughout the room, enveloping everyone’s hearts.

At that moment, a pot of boiling water was brought in, steaming. Wei Lan quickly entered action, preparing to set up a makeshift operating table. She asked Ming Yi to assist her.

Wei Lan cleared the bed of all items, leaving only a clean cloth underneath. She moved quickly and skillfully, feeling for the position of the baby’s head, and marking the best incision location.

She neatly tied her hair back, donned a hat and mask, and washed her hands several times with warm water and soap, meticulously following each step. Afterward, she dipped her hands in hot water, then sanitized them with alcohol to ensure sterility. Ming Yi followed her steps precisely, both of them moving in perfect synchronization.

Next, Wei Lan used sterile cotton balls soaked in liquor to disinfect the lower abdomen, and after two rounds of disinfection, she covered the incision area with four pieces of gauze to maintain sterility. Once all the preparations were done, they put on surgical gowns and gloves, ready to begin.

Although Wei Lan was not an obstetrics specialist, she had participated in several C-section surgeries during her months of gynecology practice. Although her experience as the lead surgeon was limited, every encounter had made the procedure’s steps vivid in her memory. She clearly recalled every detail, and that knowledge would be her firm support today. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, ready to begin this life-and-death surgery.

Ming Yi, fully focused, played his role as the first assistant. His eyes never left Wei Lan’s every movement, his hands ready with surgical tools such as scalpels, forceps, and tweezers, prepared to hand them over as needed.

The baby inside the womb had already pushed the abdominal and uterine walls thin, almost as delicate as a cicada’s wing. Despite the dire situation, Wei Lan remained extraordinarily careful and precise. She gently made an incision with the scalpel, moving with soft but steady hands. She cut through the fat and the peritoneum. When the blade reached the uterus, her hand trembled slightly, but she quickly steadied herself, taking a deep breath before proceeding with the incision.

Finally, she saw the baby’s head—dark and round, almost announcing its arrival to the world. In that moment, time seemed to stop.

Wei Lan immediately secured the baby’s head with both hands and gently pulled, successfully delivering the baby. The umbilical cord was still attached, and the midwife hurriedly reached for her scissors to cut it.

Seeing this, Wei Lan shouted in alarm, “Stop! Stay away!”

The midwife, startled, nearly dropped the scissors in panic and quickly stepped back.

Wei Lan took the forceps handed to her by Ming Yi and expertly clamped the umbilical cord. Then, she carefully cut it with the scissors, her actions swift and precise. After cutting the cord, she used an alcohol-soaked cotton ball to disinfect it thoroughly.

However, the baby remained silent, without a cry. Wei Lan handed the baby to Ming Yi, who was now fully occupied with the task at hand—delivering the placenta. She had to quickly take care of that as well.

Ming Yi took the baby into his arms, noticing the slight bluish tint to its face, probably due to a lack of oxygen after the amniotic sac broke. The midwife quickly prepared a basin of boiling water, intending to use it to stimulate the baby to cry. Ming Yi swiftly intervened, gently placing the baby face down and lightly patting its back and feet.

The father, seeing his child finally born, was about to cheer when he noticed the baby’s lifelessness. His heart twisted with pain, his hands clasped tightly as if praying for the baby to cry out.

The onlookers held their breath, and the room was so quiet that only the sound of their anxious breathing could be heard. Some frowned deeply, full of worry, while others clasped their hands and muttered prayers, earnestly asking the heavens for protection.

After a few minutes, a faint cry emerged, weak but full of hope, like the first crow of a rooster at dawn. The room erupted in cheers, and the father’s eyes brightened with surprise. His tense brow relaxed, and the midwife breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of contentment spreading across her wrinkled face.

Ming Yi handed the baby to the midwife for further care and focused again on Wei Lan, who was still diligently working.

On the other side, after the baby was successfully delivered, Wei Lan focused her attention on the placenta. She knew the placenta had to be cleaned thoroughly, with no remnants left behind, or it could cause serious issues for the mother later. The gauze gloves provided basic protection, but Wei Lan felt they lacked sensitivity and couldn’t tell if the placenta had been fully removed.

She carefully examined the inner wall of the uterus, ensuring the placenta had been completely cleared. Only then did she begin suturing the uterus. Next, she checked the abdominal cavity. She knew that some amniotic fluid might have leaked into the abdominal cavity during the procedure. Although she had been extremely cautious, under these rudimentary conditions, it was already a great achievement.

She used gauze to gently absorb any excess fluid. After confirming that there were no abnormalities, she proceeded to close the abdomen.

At this moment, the young woman began to regain consciousness. She weakly moaned in pain, as if each sound was a sharp blade piercing the hearts of everyone in the room, making them feel her suffering deeply.

Her husband tightly held her hand, his eyes filled with pain. His voice trembled as he comforted her, “Hold on, it’ll be over soon. For me, you have to hold on.”

The young woman gritted her teeth, tears welling up in her eyes. For herself, for her husband, and for her child, she endured the pain and eventually fainted again, her hand slipping weakly from her husband’s grasp as she fell back into unconsciousness.

Finally, everything was completed, and Wei Lan, exhausted, collapsed onto the side. Throughout the process, she and Ming Yi had worked together flawlessly. They exchanged a brief smile, a feeling of relief washing over them. They knew they had succeeded. For now, both mother and daughter were safe, and that was the best reward for their efforts.

Wei Lan was well aware that the mother had not yet fully escaped danger. Both mother and baby still faced many challenges, but for the moment, she could not worry about that. Her priority was to ensure they both survived this crisis. The rest would be tackled step by step.

The midwife cleaned the baby with warm water and gently wrapped it in a soft swaddling cloth. She cradled the newborn and hurried off to the Buddha hall.

In the Buddha hall, incense smoke swirled in the air, and a small oil lamp flickered softly in the corner, casting a gentle glow.

Li Chuniang, a devout Buddhist woman, knelt in the Buddha hall, her hands pressed together in prayer as she chanted the scriptures. When her daughter-in-law had gone into labor, she had hurried to seek out Dr. Liu. Now, all she could do was pray to the Bodhisattva and the Buddha for their protection. Her chanting voice was deep and steady, echoing in the hall like an ancient song, expressing reverence for life and hope for safety.

At this moment, the midwife came in, joyfully announcing, “Congratulations, both mother and daughter are safe.”

Li Chuniang, who had been tense with worry, finally relaxed. She gently took the baby, who looked around curiously. When it saw its grandmother, the baby smiled a tender smile, instantly lightening the atmosphere in the Buddha hall.

Li Chuniang and the midwife exchanged a smile, their faces filled with love and satisfaction.