Disclaimer: I do not own these characters




Chapter Two: Born To Soon



"Who paged me?" Lu asked as she rushed into the ER.

"I did, Lu." Dr. Nick Biancavilla answered. "Female, 34, 28 weeks pregnant, says she's one of yours." Lu hurried over to the new arrival in the ER.

"Oh my god. Randee."

"Something's wrong, Lu. The baby...it's to early. Please do something."

"I want a fetal monitor over here STAT!" Lu ordered as she began to quickly assess the situation.

"You are definitely in labor, Randee. This baby is coming now."

"No!" Randee screamed. "Lu, please do something! She's not due for two months. She can't be born now. Please, Lu!" Lu was silent for a moment as she continued to monitor the unborn baby. She quickly realized that the baby was in deep distress, and would need to be delivered immediately if it were going to survive.

"Randee, we need to do an emergency C-section. The cord is wrapped around her neck. Get her up to OR and notify neonatal ICU. I'll meet you there."

"Lu! Please!" The young mother was almost hysterical now. Lu felt helpless. What could she say to her patient to calm her? Lu gently touched Randee's shoulder.

"Randee, we have to deliver her now. We don't know how long she has been without oxygen. If we don't take her now, she will die. I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do. We don't have a choice." Lu glanced back quickly at Nick as she followed her patient upstairs to the OR.

Once in the OR, Lu worked quickly to deliver the baby. She knew that if the baby had gone for a long period of time with no oxygen, she would be still born. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Lu held in her hands the tiny newborn. She quickly suctioned out the infant's nose and mouth. The baby began to cry...the cry was weak, but it was there. Lu gave a sigh of relief. She quickly handed the baby to a nurse, who whisked her to the NICU.

"Lu?" Randee said weakly. "My baby..."

"It's a girl, Randee." Lu answered.

"Is she okay? Please tell me she is okay." Randee pleaded.

"She's being taken to intensive care. I won't know anything for awhile yet." Lu answered in a tired voice.

"Lu, what are her chances? She's two months early."

"Some babies born this early do survive and they live perfectly normal lives. And others...well, they have problems."

"Do...do you think she'll be okay?"

"I'll do the best I can for her, Randee. She'll be getting the best of care in the NICU. And right now, I think we'd better get you settled into a room so you can get some rest."

"Oh no. I have to call Bryan. He's working tonight. He is going to be so upset." Randee said, suddenly bursting into tears.

"I'll call him for you." Lu offered. "You need to get some sleep now. In a couple of hours I hope to be able to tell you more about the condition of your daughter." Randee nodded.

"Thanks, Lu." She managed through her tears. Lu forced a smile. "That's what I'm here for, Randee." But Lu knew that there was a strong possibility that the new baby could have serious problems.