I decided to go a little off the Storyline. I hope you like it!
Days had passed and although Shelagh had had no more bleeding it was crucial that she was still on complete bed rest because it was still possible for something to go wrong.
The hospital she was staying in had continued to carry out tests but they had yet to find out the cause of the bleeding so it was just assumed that it was the beginning of a miscarriage. However, Patrick had other ideas.
Each night when she sent him home Patrick would just sit an think over everything and think of any other things which could cause the bleeding. Last night it suddenly hit him, the bleeding might not have been related to what they first thought.
Arriving at St Cuthbert's the next day he went straight to see Shelagh's doctor before he went in to see her.
"Hello Doctor, thanks for taking time to speak with me"
"No problem Dr Turner … Now what is it you wanted to talk to me about"
"After doing some reading last night I have found there is potentially something else which may be causing the bleeding"
"What are you saying Dr Turner"
"I'm saying that my Wife has already beaten the odds in conceiving a child which was something that was very unlikely to happen because she had a great deal of scarring in her pelvic organs"
"Yes which means she is at a very high risk of miscarriage"
"That is true Doctor … We don't really have a lot of experience with cases like my wife, but I believe that the cause of the bleeding could potentially be from the scarring. As it is so rare for a woman to get pregnant after such damage to their pelvic organs none of us really know how carrying a child will affect what was left behind"
"So are you thinking that some of the scarring in your Wife's womb may have ruptured and that is what caused the bleeding"
"Yes I think it is certainly a possibility but there is no way to actually see unless you do an ultrasound an that isn't possible yet"
"Oh Dr Turner see that is where you are wrong"
"What do you mean?"
"Well as you know over the last few years ultrasound technology has been developed"
"Oh yes by Ian Donald … I remember reading that in the Lancet"
"As we are in the capital we have been given an ultrasound machine which is kept at The London … It is only used in certain cases because we couldn't cope with the whole of London trying to use it and also we are still developing it to make it better … However, as your Wife is quite a complex and complicated case we will offer you and ultrasound so we will be able to see the baby in utero and we will also be able to have a look at the scarring an see if we can work out where the blood came from and also hear your baby's heartbeat"
"Thank you that would be great but is it safe for my Wife and baby?"
"Yes there will be no harm to your wife or to the baby … The only thing is that she will need to have a full bladder so that it is clear enough for us to see"
"Ahh great … That'll be no problem … Thanks Doctor"
"No thank you Dr Turner for bringing the potential diagnosis to my attention … While you go and see your wife I will ring the London and arrange an appointment for her as soon as possible an then I will come and speak to you both"
Patrick stood up from his chair, thanking the doctor again before walking out of the office and making his way down the corridor to the ward to see his Wife.
When he walked in she was just sat staring into space with her hands still placed on her bump.
He was hoping that what he was about to tell her would give her more hope.
"Shelagh darling … How are you feeling?"
"Patrick" She reached out and found his hand "I'm feeling okay, I've had no more cramping or bleeding"
"That's good"
She let out a weak smile.
"I've been talking to your doctor and I have something to tell you"
"What is it Patrick?" She said looking really worried
"Don't look worried sweetie … I've been doing some research over the last few days and I think I've found another cause for your bleeding … A simple explanation would be that some of the scarring in your uterus has ruptured and that is what has caused the bleeding"
"Could that be possible?"
"I don't know but we're going to test for it"
"Oh okay how are they going to do that though?"
"You know the new ultrasound technology they've been working on in Scotland?"
"Yeah"
"Well I've spoken to your doctor and they have one at the London and because you are quite special they are going to give you an ultrasound so we will be able to see our baby and they can also see what damage there is too the scarring in your uterus"
"Wow … Can they really do that?"
"Yeah … The doctor is just on the phone making you an appointment now"
It wasn't long before the doctor came in to speak to them.
"Mrs Turner, I believe your husband has caught you up to speed on everything"
"Yes he has"
"Well I have just spoken to the London and you have an appointment with the doctor in charge of the ultrasound machine at 10 o'clock is that alright with you both"
Shelagh looked up to Patrick she knew he was busy.
"Patrick I know you're busy I don't mind going on my own"
"Shelagh I wouldn't miss seeing our baby for the world … I'll just push my rounds back till the afternoon"
Patrick reached out for her hand and held squeezed it gently.
"Dr Turner if you could meet us here tomorrow about 9 O'clock then you and your wife will be taken over to the London in an ambulance ready for 10 O'clock"
"Can Patrick not just take me in the car?"
"I'm afraid not Mrs Turner not until we know for sure what is causing your bleeding"
The doctor walked of and left them alone together.
The next day Patrick arrived at St Cuthbert's promptly at 8:30. For once he was actually early.
When Patrick walked onto the ward Shelagh was shocked to see him so early.
"Morning dear … You know you didn't have to be here till 9"
"I know sweetheart but for once in my life I didn't want to be late … I wouldn't miss seeing our baby for the first time"
"I love you Patrick"
"I love you too Shelagh"
They had been sat chatting for nearly half an hour when the porter came to collect Shelagh to take her to the ambulance.
The London was only a short drive away so it didn't take them to long to get there.
The were taken to a room where the ultrasound machine was kept and Shelagh was helped on to the bed by Patrick.
It wasn't long before the doctor came in and explained what he was going to do before running through a couple of admin bits.
"Mrs turner could you tell me who your GP is please, I don't seem to have it on file"
That was when Patrick spoke up.
"I'm her GP"
"Oh sorry I didn't realise, you're thee Dr Turner"
"Yeah I am"
"You are such a legend round here"
Patrick seemed really shocked by it all whilst Shelagh just sat smiling.
"Well I never knew that"
The doctor had finished getting everything ready and was starting to explain what he was doing to the Turner's.
"Right will I'm just gonna pull the sheets up and if you could pull your nightie up above your abdomen"
Shelagh did just that. She was shaking a little she was so scared.
"I'm going to pop some gel on your tummy and then use this probe to find the baby … Sorry but the gel will be a little cold"
Shelagh reached out for Patrick's hand and he firmly put his hand in hers.
The doctor started moving the probe around her abdomen when he stopped.
"If you look up onto the screen there, there's your beautiful healthy little baby"
Shelagh instantly started tearing up squeezing her husband's hand tighter and Patrick was completely transfixed he couldn't take his eyes of the screen.
"Are you sure everything's is okay?"
"Yes everything seems to be fine and the baby had a strong heartbeat which you can hear"
"Can you see what is causing the bleeding?" Patrick asked
The Doctor moved the probe further around Shelagh sat abdomen and he could see the scarring in her uterus. Then he stopped.
"I think I've found what was causing the bleeding"
Patrick looked up from his wife to the screen and saw exactly what the doctor was meaning.
"Exactly what I thought "
"What what?" Shelagh said anxiously
"It seems Mrs Turner that some of the scarring in the lower part of your uterus has ruptured as a result of the pressure"
"Is it going to hurt my baby?"
"It shouldn't have a big impact at all, it means that your body is finding pregnancy a little more difficult than most as a result of the TB"
"Will I be able to go home"
"I don't see why not … Now that we know what is causing the bleeding we can give you extra checkups every week to make sure that there is no change but there is no reason why you can't go on to have a normal pregnancy and delivery"
"Thank you doctor"
"You must promise though to take it easy otherwise it could rupture the scarring higher up in your uterus"
"I promise"
"Right well I'll get someone to take you back to the ambulance to take you back to St Cuthbert's then they will sort out your discharge papers from there"
"Thanks doctor" They both said together
"Oh while I remember you will get a letter in the post with regards to your next ultrasound appointment"
"Okay thank you"
They were now in the ambulance on the way back to St Cuthbert's. Shelagh was feeling a lot more relaxed now that she knows it wasn't the start of a miscarriage.
Shelagh looked up into Patrick's eyes.
"I love you Patrick"
"I love you too darling"
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