Olivia and Sarah were in the car, as Olivia drove Sarah to her prenatal appointment. As she'd attended therapy and had Olivia come with her to appointments, Sarah's anxiety about being in a medical setting had decreased significantly. She'd also started medication and responded well to it. "Even though I'm not ready to go back to work yet, I finally feel like I'm going to be able to go back," Sarah said. "There was a while where I worried I'd never be able to. I've talked briefly with work about accommodations, and I could switch to an outpatient clinic, where I'd be in a different building. I'd have more flexibility with hours and being part-time there too."
Sarah sat in the exam room with Olivia. "The baby looks great," Dr Hernandez told her. "I'm relieved to be at 36 weeks," Sarah admitted. "It's reassuring to know the baby is so close to term and would likely have no complications if she was born now."
"How are you feeling about labor and being hospitalized?" Dr Hernandez asked gently.
"I'm worried about it, but much less anxious than a few months ago," Sarah responded. "The therapy and medication have helped a lot. Olivia and Elliot's support has made a big difference too. They're going to take time off after the baby is born, and Olivia is going to stay at the hospital with me. I feel more comfortable that someone will be with me the whole time."
"I'm glad your anxiety has decreased and you have the support. If I'm not the one in the hospital when you go into labor, my partners and the nurses know your history, like we talked about, and there is an alert in your chart for only female staff. I'm glad to see how much better you're doing emotionally and the increased support you have." Dr Hernandez had encouraged Sarah to meet the other female OBs in the practice so she would be familiar with whoever delivered her. She had also suggested that Sarah visit the labor and delivery unit, which she and Olivia had done before her appointment today. Sarah felt reassured by meeting the other doctors and seeing the unit, so as much as possible would feel familiar.
"You want a milkshake?" Olivia asked, as they walked to the car. Sarah had been getting milkshakes since her first OB appointment to have something to look forward to after the appointments. Milkshakes had been her one consistent pregnancy craving and had been one of the few things she wanted during the first trimester, when she'd had persistent morning sickness.
They sat in the parking lot of Sarah's favorite diner sipping their milkshakes. "Thank you, Liv," Sarah said. "For coming with me to the appointments and everything you and Elliot have done." She hesitated, then added shyly, "I went into this feeling completely alone and now I feel like I have a family."
"You do," Olivia said, leaning over to hug her.
