Chapter 49
After speaking with Dr. Niebudek about her and her family's medical history, Kate had to do blood and urine tests. While they awaited the results, the doctor asked her about her morning sickness and her energy levels. She explained how often she has been getting sick. Russell also pointed out that she was way more tired than normal and that she slept four more hours last night than she normally would have. The doctors then looked at the results of her testing and told Kate and Russell that he noticed elevated beta-hcg levels in both her urine and blood tests.
"I reckon you are about 10-11 weeks pregnant. Congratulations. With the elevated beta-hcg, I would like to do a doppler test to listen to the heartbeat of the baby." said Dr. Bennett.
"Do you think there is a problem with the baby? Is the baby hurt or sick or something?" Kate asked, starting to worry.
"No. I just want to take a doppler to be extra safe. You have no reason to worry about the health of your baby." said Dr. Bennett.
The doctor brought the doppler machine over and placed it on Kate's stomach. He placed the headphones on his ears and listened. He smiled. He then took off the headphones and had the technician listen as well. The technician nodded at the doctor, who then listened again. He nodded to the technician again.
"Okay. We are going to do an ultrasound." explained Dr. Niebudek.
"What's wrong? What are you hearing? What is wrong with my baby?" Kate was starting to get really upset.
"There is no reason to worry, Ms. Manfredi. This will only take a moment," Dr. Niebudek said, trying to reassure her.
They brought out the ultrasound machine and hooked Kate up to it. The ultrasound technician and the doctor exchanged a look and smiled.
"Okay, I'm sorry to worry both of you, but we always try to confirm the situation before we tell the parents. I want to explain what I heard on the doppler and what I'm seeing on the sonogram." said Dr. Bennett.
He put the headset on Kate and told her to listen for the heartbeat. Kate was having a hard time making out one consistent heartbeat.
"I can't hear it. There's too many other things going on in there." Kate said
The doctor put the headset on Russell and gave him a chance to listen.
"I can't hear just one consistent, rhythmic beat." said Russell "I'm a musician. I can usually detect a beat and follow it."
"That's because you aren't hearing just one consistent heartbeat. There are two. Congratulations, Kate and Russell! You're expecting twins! " announced Dr. Niebudek.
"We're having twins! Like, there are two babies inside me? Are they both healthy?" Kate was flabbergasted.
"Everything looks in the normal, healthy range for twins," said Dr. Niebudek.
"Twins! That's wonderful. We have been trying for a few years and, honestly, I thought this one child was all we were going to get. I'm so thrilled that our children will have a sibling." said Russell.
"I need to modify all my plans," said Kate
"Can you tell us if they're boys or girls?" asked Russell.
"I'm sorry. It's a little too early to tell that. You'll need to wait a couple more weeks." replied the doctor.