Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
Contents
Chapter 16: Labor
Overview
Elizabeth unexpectedly enters labor on the way to the library and delivers a healthy daughter under Dr. Mason’s care. She forgoes anesthesia and is told to remain hospitalized, but checks out early to return to Six-Thirty. The trio’s brief elation at home is quickly tempered by newborn reality.
Summary
Weeks after seeing Dr. Mason, Elizabeth heads to the library with Six-Thirty, discussing books and pregnancy calmly, believing two weeks remain. She has been monitoring her body like a scientist—urine glucose, hair keratin, temperature—while insisting they stay calm when labor comes.
Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, her water has already broken; Six-Thirty recognizes the scent and realizes her “hunger pains” are contractions. At the library door, a contraction doubles Elizabeth over, confirming labor has begun.
After thirteen hours, Dr. Mason delivers a healthy girl, praising Elizabeth’s stamina and her rowing training; she has no anesthesia. Although the hospital intends to keep them for several days, Elizabeth, worried about Six-Thirty, insists on leaving. The head nurse protests protocol, baffled when Elizabeth says, “Tell him I need to erg.”
Elizabeth returns home with the baby to find Six-Thirty waiting like a sentry. Relieved, he scents the newborn is a girl. Noting the time—9:22—they nickname her Nine Twenty-Two, sharing a fleeting sense of turning a corner after Calvin’s death. Minutes later, the baby’s cries shatter the calm, signaling the demanding reality ahead.
Who Appears
- Elizabeth ZottGoes into labor unexpectedly, delivers a daughter without anesthesia, then leaves the hospital early to reunite with Six-Thirty.
- Six-ThirtySenses Elizabeth’s water has broken, waits anxiously at home, and welcomes the newborn, prompting the clock-based nickname Nine Twenty-Two.
- Dr. MasonOB and rower; delivers the baby, praises Elizabeth’s endurance, plans a hospital stay she promptly defies.
- Head nurseObjects to Elizabeth’s early discharge, citing protocol, and is confused by Elizabeth’s rowing reference.
- Baby (nicknamed Nine Twenty-Two)Elizabeth’s newborn daughter; healthy arrival whose cries quickly test the new family’s resolve.