Chapter 187

"I'll help you over to the examination table." I said softly and tried to help her up, but she fiercely struggled to her feet herself, brushing my arm away.

"Don't fuss, Mar-Tin." She warned me.

I still supported her by the elbow on her way over to the examination table.

"Open the lower buttons of your blouse." I told her softly.

"Ellingham." My colleague told me sternly. "I think I can manage."

Louisa looked at me accusingly. Then she sighed and her gaze softened. She took my hand. "Martin, just sit down and let Dr. Green do his thing, 'right?"

I squeezed her hand and sat down as ordered. I had a feeling that Dr. Green gave Louisa a smile, while he prepared the scanner.

Shortly afterwards, the image of our child came onto the screen and Louisa and I heaved a sigh of relief simultaneously as the baby was obviously alive and well, even though it seemed that we had just woken it or maybe it was just about to sleep, as it was obviously yawning heavily.

Louisa squeezed my hand tighter. "It's OK!" She exclaimed relieved. "Oh, I was so worried as I hadn't felt it move."

"He was probably asleep." I said, my eyes glued to the screen. "That's why he was a bit quiet." I looked up to seek affirmation from my colleague.

"Yes, possibly." He confirmed. "In there, everything looks alright so far. Let's find out what caused the bleeding."

He followed the uterus with the scanner and my eyes followed attentively. The ultrasound seemed fine so far and so did the baby. Dr. Green also measured the foetal heart rate and it was in normal range.

"Mrs. Ellingham, good news so far is that your baby seems absolutely fine. Still, I cannot tell where the vaginal bleeding has come from. To get a better picture, I need to have a look. I will palpate the area, if you'll allow."

"Everything you need to do, as long as the baby is fine."

"As I said, it looks fine and comfortable in there. It's also quite well developed." Dr. Green looked at me and I knew he meant it could be delivered early if necessary. Still, carrying the baby until the birthing process started naturally was best.

I had performed similar examinations as a GP, but seeing a different man looking at my wife that way was a completely different matter. I felt uncomfortable, and judging by the way Louisa was squeezing my hand, she had similar notions. Or maybe she was just worried.

I watched Dr. Green vigilantly as he looked at my wife's nether regions and fingered around that area. I didn't like the way his brow creased and the way he looked seemed as if he had spotted something. Still, I knew this look of intense concentration and knew that now was not the time to disturb. From the corner of my eyes I noticed Louisa looking anxiously at me. I lowered my eyes to meet hers and silently shook my head to signal her not to speak now.

"I need to do another examination, but it will be a bit uncomfortable. Be assured, there will be no extra risk to you or the baby, even if it might feel strange. I need to introduce this transducer to see if everything's OK down there."

Louisa looked anxiously at me.

"Cervix?" I asked.

"Possibly."

I nodded. Then I signalled Louisa that it was OK.

"If it's necessary, let's go on then." She declared grimly.

I realised that she winced during the examination. Dr. Green poked around gingerly, but after a short time I assumed by his grunted syllables that he had found what he was looking for.

This suspicion was confirmed when he removed the transducer, packed his tools away and turned to wash and disinfect his hands, while instructing Louisa that she could dress again.

I noticed that Louisa's hands shook slightly when she buttoned up but I tried to calm her by brushing my fingers against her hand. Louisa gave me a strained smile.

As soon as Dr. Green had sat down at the desk, he started to give us his diagnosis.

To be continued...