i slit the belly from navel to pubis , pushing hard through slack muscle , nicked the womb but no matter , cut quick but careful through the wall of the womb , dropped the knife , and thrust my hands into the depths of malva christie , still blood-warm , and seized the child , cupping , turning , wrenching hard in my frenzy to pull it free , bring it out from sure death , bring it into the air , help it breathe ... ... malva 's body flopped and heaved as i jerked , limp limbs flailing with the force of my yanking .