[justpush]

Alex, with the help of the men, got up and started walking along with them. Occasionally he would pause, leaning against the wall and then breathe deeply through his nose. He felt that gravity was helping, but also his pain was becoming intense because of it. More than once he pawed harder at the men's hands as he felt strong contractions. Eventually, however, he sat down on the floor with their help and experienced a moment of nervous breakdown. He wiped his face with his hand, then looked at them emotionlessly. " If there are complications," he said in a trembling voice, "then at least save the baby, okay?"