My mother-in-law insisted on helping with my home birth, but something felt terribly wrong as she kept slipping out. The moment she left the room again, I heard unsettling voices outside. When I saw what it was, I froze.
The moment I told Josh I wanted a home birth, his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. But it was nothing compared to the reaction we got from his mother, Elizabeth. You’d think we’d just handed her the keys to a brand-new car.
A pregnant couple sitting on a wooden bench | Source: Unsplash
“Oh, Nancy! This is wonderful news!” Elizabeth gushed, clasping her hands together. “I simply must be there to support you both. I can help with anything you need!”
I exchanged a glance with Josh, my eyebrows raised. His shrug told me he was leaving this one up to me.
“I don’t know, Elizabeth,” I said, my voice hesitant. “It’s going to be pretty intense.”
She waved off my concerns. “Nonsense! I’ve been through it myself, dear. I know exactly what you’ll need.”
A senior lady smiling | Source: Pexels
I bit my lip, mulling it over. Maybe an extra pair of hands wouldn’t be so bad, right? And it would mean a lot to Josh if I invited his mother to help me with our home birth.
“Alright,” I finally conceded. “You can be there.”
Elizabeth’s squeal of delight was so high-pitched, I swear she could’ve scared the neighborhood dogs.
“You won’t regret this, Nancy,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug. “I promise I’ll be the best support you could ask for.”
A young lady looking up | Source: Midjourney
The big day finally arrived. Our midwife, Rosie, was setting up her equipment when Elizabeth burst through the door, her arms laden with bags.
“I’m here!” she announced, as if we might have missed her entrance. “Where do you need me?”
I was about to answer when a contraction hit, stealing my breath. Josh was at my side in an instant, his hand on my lower back as I tensed and groaned.
“Just… just put your things down for now,” I managed to gasp out.
A pregnant woman lying down as her partner kisses her | Source: Pexels
As the contraction eased, I noticed Elizabeth fidgeting with something, her eyes darting around the room. She looked more nervous than excited now. And I knew that something was seriously off.
“Are you okay?” I asked, frowning.
She turned around, startled. “What? Oh, yes! Just thinking about what I can do to help. You’re doing just fine, honey. Just keep pushing.”
Before I could press further, she was out the door, muttering something about getting me some water.
A senior woman crossing her arms | Source: Pexels
Josh squeezed my hand. “Want me to talk to her?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. She’s probably just nervous. It’s our first baby, right?”
As my labor progressed, Elizabeth’s behavior became increasingly odd. She’d pop in, ask how I was doing, then disappear again. Each time she returned, she seemed more flustered.
During a particularly intense contraction, I gripped Josh’s hand so hard I thought I might break it. As the pain ebbed, I became aware of a strange sound.
Grayscale shot of a couple holding hands | Source: Unsplash
“Josh,” I panted, “do you hear that?”
He cocked his head and listened. “Sounds like… voices?”
I nodded, relieved I wasn’t imagining things. “And is that music?”
Josh’s brow furrowed. He kissed my forehead and turned around. “I’ll check it out. Be right back.”
As he left, Rosie gave me an encouraging smile. “You’re doing great, Nancy. Not long now.”
A man looking somewhere | Source: Midjourney
When Josh returned, his face was ashen as though he’d seen a ghost.
“What is it?” I asked, dreading the answer.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking pained. “You’re not going to believe this. My mother is throwing a party. In our living room.”
I stared at him, certain I’d misheard. “A what?”
“A party,” he repeated, his voice edged with frustration. “There are at least a dozen people out there.”
A startled woman’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
The pain of labor was nothing compared to the rage that coursed through me. I struggled to my feet, ignoring my midwife’s protests.
“Nancy, you shouldn’t—”
“I need to see this for myself,” I growled.
Josh supported me as we made our way to the living room. The scene that greeted us was surreal. People were mingling, drinks in hand, as if this were a casual Sunday barbecue.
A banner hanging on the wall read: “WELCOME BABY!”
A banner at a party | Source: Midjourney
Elizabeth stood in the center of it all, holding court with a group of women I’d never seen before. She hadn’t even noticed our arrival.
“What the hell is going on here?” I bellowed, my voice cutting through the chatter like a knife.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to us. Elizabeth spun around, her face paling as she saw me.
“Nancy! Holy Christ! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to—”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
“Elizabeth, what’s going on over here?”
“Oh, I… we were just…”
“Just what? Turning my home birth into an exhibition?”
Elizabeth had the audacity to look offended. “Now, Nancy, don’t be dramatic. We’re just celebrating!”
“Celebrating? I’m in labor, Elizabeth! This isn’t a damn social event!”
A smiling senior woman in a black suit | Source: Pexels
She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, you wouldn’t even know we were here! I thought you’d appreciate the support.”
I felt a contraction building and gritted my teeth against the pain and anger. “Support? This isn’t support. This is a circus!”
Josh stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. “Everyone needs to leave. Now.”
As people scrambled to gather their things, Elizabeth tried one last time. “Nancy, you’re overreacting. This is a joyous occasion!”
