Chapter 17
Meanwhile in Dr. Baider's office Marlena is wearing a pink paper gown lying on the bed while John is pacing impatiently across the room. A short time later Dr. Baider enters the room holding Marlena's chart looking at in closely.
"Well doctor what is the verdict?"
"Oh Marlena's fine and so are the twins I didn't mean to scare you I just wanted to make sure everything was as it should be. I'm sorry the lab was backed up so I didn't get your blood tests back right away."
"So Dr. Baider, how long do I need to take this medication?"
"Well normally it's only taken in the first trimester but due to your history, age, and the fact that you're having twins I want you to take it your entire pregnancy."
"Forher entire pregnancy?"
John asks a little concerned looking at Marlena who knows what's ahead for her.
"Is it really necessary Doctor I don't really like the side effects."
"Side effects?"
John asks again with more concern.
"You didn't say anything about side effects why didn't you tell me?"
"Mr. Black would you just relax these are normal side effects there is nothing to be worried about. Your wife is fine and so are your babies."
"But side effects?"
"John I need you to relax okay the symptoms aren't going to hurt me it's just instead of having morning sickness in my first trimester it's likely that I will have it until either I'm off the medication or the twins are born."
"Doctor do you think that with the proper care and medication the twins will be born on their due date and not premature like her other pregnancies?"
"Well there can't be any guarantee I don't want to say yes because I really don't know."
"Can I still go back to my practice?"
"I agree with Dr. Lee part time and nothing more. When your due date approaches I don't want you to work at all. I don't want to risk these babies coming before they are due. We have greatly improved in neonatology but I don't want you to go through that I know how difficult it was for you with DJ."
"Yes, that was a difficult time but I have my sister with me and I had my friends. With their help I got through it."
"How early do you want her to stop working part time?"
"Well maternity leave is for three months but I'm sure that you can take longer. I want you to stop working in June and stay in bed as much as you can until you go into labor. I want these babies healthy and strong when they're born."
"That only gives me 5 months to build up my practice I don't know if I can do that."
"It's not "if you can" Marlena, you have to I don't want to keep you from working I know how much your practice means to you. I don't want to force you to give it up with this pregnancy."
"Don't worry Doctor I'll make sure she follows the rules even if I have to drag her home."
"Now that's what I'm talking about Mr. Black. Now the twins are fine now they are doing great but I do have a few other things I need to check over before I can let you go."
"Don't do anything until I'm back I want to let the kids know all is well. I'll be right back I promise I don't want to miss anything."
Dr. Baider nods as John kisses Marlena on the forehead then heads out of the room.
"So how are the kids taking the news?"
"Well just as I expected Belle is thrilled to have a new baby. In fact her exact words were "It's about time mom" Brady wasn't as excited as she was but he took it a lot better then Sami did. She still is very angry at John you'd think after all these years she would get over what happened. Carrie and Eric are okay with it though I'm not sure if they are excited about it. "
"Oh they'll come around in time they always do. So what do they want brothers or sisters or one of both?"
"Well Belle of course wants baby sisters so she can do all those big sister things with them. Eric and Brady of course want brother's because they already think they have too many sisters. Carrie and Sami really didn't say anything I think mainly because they are having their own problems with their men. There should be an instructional manual when it comes to parenting. I don't' know what to do to help them get through this."
"Just be there for them it always works."
"I suppose you're right."
"So Marlena how have you been feeling?"
"Oh I've been okay with the exception of the usual pregnancy symptoms I feel pretty good. I still can't believe that I'm going to have twins again."
"Is that really all that's bothering you? Marlena I need to know everything in order to keep you and the babies healthy."
Marlena looked into Dr. Baider's eyes and saw the concern. She let out a long breath before continuing what she was saying.
"Well there has been some….discomfort recently. I don't want to worry John so he doesn't know about it but you're my doctor and you should know."
"Okay tell me what's been bothering you?"
"Aside from the normal pregnancy symptoms I have been having a lot of cramping. It's nothing serious or anything it's just, oh I don't know I just don't feel right."
"This cramping when do you experience it the most?"
"Well I've had cramping in my other pregnancies but these cramps happen more often and not when they usually do."
"When is it? When do these cramps come up?"
"Well I didn't really have that many cramps while I was being held captive. When John came to rescue us they got worse. I didn't say anything about them because I thought it was due to my captivity. When John got us out of there they became more intense and more common. I kept blaming them on stress but I had them again last night."
"Did you do any strenuous activity before they occurred?"
"What would you consider strenuous?"
Marlena asked embarrassed by the question. She never considered making love strenuous activity she always thought of it as a wonderful thing.
"Well anything can be strenuous like going to a gym and working out for hours at a time."
"Well you do know that I've been gone for a long time. I mean I haven't seen John since October so we missed each other a lot. When we got home the kids had a party for me and once that was over and they headed home it was time for John and I to make some "us" time up. Well we were excited about the twins and I was happy to finally be home with him again and well…you can guess the rest."
"Oh I understand this discomfort you've been having is usually at its worse when you and John…have been…together?"
Marlena nods slowly she can feel her face turn red with embarrassment.
"Well like you said it's been a long time since you were with John last so you wanted to make up the time you missed?"
"Right does that mean I can't make love to John until my first trimester is over?"
"Well I can't prevent you from showing John your love for him but I do have a suggestion."
"Oh thank goodness, I was afraid I was hurting the babies because of my closeness to John. What should I do instead?"
"Well you just have to be more careful with it. For example try taking a warm bath after being with him it will relax your muscles and possibly prevent the cramps. But if you start to experience any kind of bleeding I want you to call me day or night I'll make a house call."
Soon John enters just as Baider ends her sentence he quickly goes to Marlena and gives her a soft kiss on the lips.
"So what did I miss?"
"You didn't miss anything how are the kids?"
"They're all fine Belle wasn't feeling very good so she didn't stay on to long. I couldn't get a hold of Carrie or Brady but Sami and Eric are glad to hear that you are fine."
"Maybe we should stop by the loft and check on Belle before we go home?"
"I already expected that and she'll be waiting for us. So Doctor how is everything with Marlena and the twins."
"Oh they're perfect I was just telling her that I'm increasing her dosage to give the twins a better chance. I also told her she needs to rest when she gets home and if anything is wrong to call me night or day."
"You know she will. When is our next appointment?"
"I'd like to see Marlena every 2 weeks until her last month. That way we can keep updated with how the twins are and her are doing. Now remember what I told you I'll always available for you. I want these twins to be as healthy as you both want them to be. I'll see you in 2 weeks you can go get dressed. I want to talk to John for a minute if you don't mind?"
"No I'll be right back."
Marlena climbs out of bed and head into the next room to change.
"So doctor what is it that you wanted to speak to me about?"
"It's Marlena I need you to keep a very close watch on her. Her blood pressure was a little elevated and this additional stress between she and Sami isn't good for her or the babies. She needs to stay calm anything that puts her over the edge will bring up her blood pressure. I know what she's gone through all these months without you she needs your full attention."
"I understand Doctor I'll do my best. I've been meaning to talk to Sami about her behavior towards her mother and me. After we get home I'll talk to Sami her little "thing" she has against me is getting old."
"Marlena can't get upset John it'll risk the health of her and the babies."
"I know that better then anyone. I promise I'll keep things as calm as they can be. I'll do anything for her and the twins."
"That's exactly what she needs."
A few seconds later Marlena exits the next room and walks up to John. Baider hands Marlena 2 prescriptions and smiles.
"Well we better get going."
"Make an appointment with my receptionist on the way out."
Marlena nods and all three head out of the exam room John wraps his arms around Marlena's waist and both head to the reception desk to make an appointment.
TBC…Chapter 18