The doctor has ordered a contraction monitoring catheter. The nurse is a little surprised given that the doctor was talking about the balloon option, and you can't have both.
As she gathers the kit, the nurse is grumbling about how she doesn't think it will fit. I catch a glimpse of the catheter and I agree. Sam is only dilated to 1cm or maybe a little more than that, but not much. The catheter looks to be about... .6cm in diameter. That's a pretty small target to hit, especially when you can't see and have to do it by feel alone.
The nurse grumbles a bit more and promises to be as gentle as possible. She instructs Sam to take big deep breaths while waiting for the current contraction to pass. Contraction's over, nurse starts the process, Sam winces, then yells, in pain.
Deep breath
The nurse apologizes profusely. Thinks almost had it. Says she's going to try again.
Deep breath
After the current contraction passes she gives it another go.
It didn't work.
After more apologizing and attempting to make Sam comfortable, the nurse leaves to call the doctor and tell her that she couldn't get it in. I go over to Sam and hold her hand. She hurts so bad that she doesn't even open her eyes.
The nurse comes back to let us know that the doctor is on her way to try and get the catheter in herself.
Deep breath