Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 47
Edward insisted on accompanying Carmen to her next appointment with Dr. Miller. In the light of her recent confession, Carmen didn't resist. She had given him her word that she would make full disclosure to her OBI and follow the doctor's instructions with regards to the dosage and type of meds she should take for the remaining duration of the pregnancy.
Edward also wanted her to have a full battery of blood work done to screen for anything else that might have gone unnoticed until now. Carmen agreed to the blood work, but dug her heels down to his suggestion for an amniocentesis test. Given the invasive and painful nature of the procedure, Edward didn't push for it.
Dr. Miller was taken aback by the extent of information withheld by her patient. Not surprisingly, she expressed grave concern and instructed Carmen to wean herself off of the drugs of her choice and gradually work up to a trial period without any. If that proved too trying, they could opt for an antidepressant that wasn't known to heighten the risk to pregnancy and the baby too much, and forgo a mood stabilizer altogether. She also suggested that Carmen returned to therapy and that she consulted Dr. de Luzlow as soon as possible.
Carmen was too ashamed to resist. She agreed to follow all of Dr. Miller's instructions to the T.
They returned the following week to learn about the lab report. Dr. Miller informed them, much to Edward's relief, that Carmen was in good health, physically at least. From all outward measures, the baby seemed to be faring quite well also.
"There's just one little thing," Dr. Miller said as the consultation was about to wrap. "Carmen, were you aware that you have the SCT?"
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.