On an early March morning, a truck stopped in front of the maternity hospital in a village. Two guards got out and brought out a woman. It was obvious she was pregnant and in labour. She could barely walk, dabbling over from pain, clutching her stomach and lower back. «‘Hurry up!’ shouted the guards. «‘Why couldn’t you wait until the city, you fool?’ The emergency room erupted in commotion when the staff saw their unusual patient.
It wasn’t every day they brought prisoners to their small maternity hospital to give birth. This one wasn’t even meant to be here. She’d gone into labour during transport to the specialised women’s prison.
Dr Barbara Gibbs had just started what promised to be a quiet shift. All her patients had already delivered and she was looking forward to a peaceful cup of tea. Suddenly, word came from the emergency room.
«‘They’ve brought in a prisoner! So much for an uneventful shift!’ The doctor went downstairs. The labouring woman lay half-reclined on the couch, quietly moaning in pain, with the guards and duty nurse hovering nearby. «‘Get her up for sanitation,’ Dr Gibbs ordered after a quick examination, nodding to the orderlies.
They lifted the woman onto a gurney and wheeled her away. The guards started to follow. «‘And where do you think you’re going?’ Dr Gibbs asked, surprised.
«‘You can’t enter the maternity ward. We have special protocols.’ «‘We have our own protocols,’ snapped one of the guards. «‘We must be present.’ «‘Absolutely not!’ Barbara exclaimed, blocking their path.
«‘I won’t have you frightening other mothers. This isn’t a prison. These are our rules.
In the head doctor’s absence, I’m in charge. And I decide who enters and who doesn’t. «‘You don’t understand.
She’s a prisoner. We’ve provided all the documentation.’ «‘I perfectly understand. But first and foremost, she’s a woman giving birth to a child.
What if she escapes?’ «‘Are you serious? She’s six centimetres dilated. Though I suppose that means nothing to you.’ Dr Gibbs shook her head. «‘I’ve made myself clear.
If we can’t attend the birth, we must handcuff her,’ insisted the escort. «‘Trust me, it’s in your interests.’ The woman didn’t bother asking why it might be in her interests. She just sighed heavily.
«‘Fine, let them chain her. «‘I’ll call you later. Have some decency.’ When they brought the labouring woman into the delivery room, the escorts handcuffed her wrist to the bed.
«‘Now leave,’ Dr Gibbs commanded sharply. The men left, saying they would wait in the emergency room. «‘You really showed them who is in charge here?’ smiled young paediatrician Sarah Greer.
«‘I don’t need their interference here.’ Dr Gibbs muttered and approached the woman in labour, her tone softening to gentle warmth. She asked, «‘Now then, my dear, remind me of your name.’ «‘Mia,’ the prisoner moaned. «‘Mia,’ repeated the doctor.
Her face flickered with emotion, paling momentarily before she composed herself. «‘Listen to me now, Mia. Forget everything else in the world.
The baby is all that matters right now. His life depends on you. Don’t waste energy shouting.
Just listen to my instructions.’ The mother-to-be nodded obediently. «‘Woman, prisoner,’ the words seemed incompatible with the young girl. No more than twenty, who now struggled on the birthing chair, handcuffed.
«‘How had she ended up in such circumstances? What had she done?’ Barbara Gibbs caught herself sympathising with this girl. And her child, a difficult path lay ahead for both of them. Brushing off unnecessary thoughts, Barbara began her work.
She spoke with clarity and confidence, encouraging the labouring woman, remaining attentive and professional throughout. Her voice instilled trust, helping to manage the pain, to endure it all. Women who delivered at this maternity hospital considered themselves fortunate to be in Dr Gibbs’s care.
She was like a mother to them, her expertise and gentle hands having helped many children to see this world. Dr Gibbs had been working in this maternity hospital for more than twenty years, since she returned from the city to work as a midwife. She didn’t need any regalia or medals.
She simply did her job well, earning only good reviews. But Barbara herself had endured a difficult fate that few people knew about. Thirty years ago, after graduating from medical school, Barbara got a job at a city maternity hospital.
Soon she married. Her daughter, Mia, was born, and Barbara was immensely happy. Barbara’s husband, Taylor, was developing a serious business at the time.
Though it was a difficult period, he was succeeding. The family lived well, wanting for nothing. But money, as they say, spoils people.
Soon, the once caring and attentive Taylor changed beyond recognition. He became rude to Barbara, would raise his hand against her, and often didn’t come home at night. One day, Barbara saw him embracing a striking blonde.
They were walking through the city, kissing. Even upon noticing Barbara, Taylor showed no embarrassment, merely smirking as he said, What are you looking at? Go home, watch our daughter. Barbara couldn’t even muster the strength to making a scene there on the street, her body stiffened with hurt, tears flooding her eyes.
