Watchful Waiting

January was gone and February had come. And Maria's appointment with Doctor Bill was on the tenth. Georg had cleared his calendar to go with his wife.

They still walked there, although the pace was slower. Georg listened to Maria's comment.

"I feel like I'm waddling like a duck."

"What makes you think so?"

"You've seen a duck walk. Their body sways from one side to the other. And my belly is doing the same thing. I pick up my right foot and my belly sways to the left, then vice-versa."

"Does it worry you?"

"Not really, I think it's funny."

"We're at the office, you can ask Doctor Bill."

They were laughing as the entered the office. And it was noticed. "My, you two are happy this morning."

"Maria thinks she waddles like a duck."

"That's actually good. It means the babies are already good size. Doctor Bill took a telephone call; he'll see you in a few minutes."

"We're in no hurry."

They were still smiling when Jane came to the waiting room. She smiled back and invited both to follow her.

Maria knew the routine. She turned her back on the exam table; Jane held her hands for balance as she stepped up on the small platform in order to sit on the exam table. Then Maria scooted back and rested against the head of the table which had been raised slightly. And Doctor Bill announced his presence.

"How are you feeling, Maria?"

"I tire easily and I walk like a duck."

Doctor Bill laughed. "I assume you've seen ducks walk."

"Many times, the children loved to feed them."

"And the bigger you get the more pronounced the sway back and forth will become. It's rare but I have heard of women who fall because of it. I still want you to walk but always with someone."

"That's no problem. Isabel is always available to walk with me during the day."

"Good, now let me help you lie flat so I can listen to the babies. First I'm going to measure your uterus."

Doctor Bill used a cloth tape measure. He felt for a bone at the bottom of her uterus. He held the cloth there and extended it over her uterus.

"You measure right on schedule for twins. Now before they move I'll listen with my fetoscope."

His listening gave the same results; one was 142 the other 130. And now he felt the babies.

"Excellent, one baby's head is already in the correct position for being born. The other is laying sideways at the top of your uterus; that's also good. As they get larger they won't be able to move very much. But the one on top will kick you more."

"So that's what I've been feeing!"

"Most probably, the other may kick you more on your side. Since you will be close to twenty-eight weeks in two weeks, I want to see you two weeks."

He helped Maria to sit up and he and Georg waited in his office for Maria. "Georg told me you bought a crib for downstairs and your children were surprised."

"And now I can tell them I felt one of the babies move. I hope to let them feel it; all of them are interested in my pregnancy, even the two boys."

"You're blessed. I've had women tell me their other children weren't happy about their mom having twins."

"I did have to reassure our five year old that someone would always read her and her sister a bedtime story."

The couple left the doctor's office with this reminder from Doctor Bill. "If you have any questions, no matter how trivial, please call the office."

Georg responded. "I tell Isabel to call if Maria has questions when I'm not home."

"Good idea, enjoy your walk home."

And Doctor Bill watched them leave the office holding hands. He smiled. And the couple walked leisurely home. The first person they saw was Isabel and she was informed of Doctor Bill's instructions.

"You needn't worry; I most certainly will call him."

And the next afternoon after the high school students came home they were all able to feel the baby at the top of Maria's uterus move. Liesl asked.

"Does the baby move at night?"

"Yes, your father pats him or her and tells the baby to go to sleep. But it doesn't help. I think it's all preparation for night time feedings."

And Brigitta asked. "Have you thought of names for them?"

"Not yet, but your dad and I need to discuss possibilities. We will need names for a girl and a boy as well as another boy and girl name in case I have two girls or two boys."

Later that night, after the children went to bed, the couple did too. Maria brought up the subject of names.

"Georg, I want to give our babies American names."

"That's appropriate. Do you have ideas?"

"The first name I thought of was Susan."

"And I like Marie for her middle name."

"So do I. And what about an American variation of your middle name,Johannes; we could name the boy John."

"I like that choice too and maybe Robert for a middle name. Shakespeare uses Robert often in his plays. It may have German roots but the English have adopted it because it means famed, bright and shining."

"Okay, our boy will have the name John Robert. Now you know we should think of another boy and girl name."

"I know we should but I think Doctor Bill is almost positive you are carrying a boy and a girl."

"I think so too. If the children ask me if we have other names in mind, I'll tell them we haven't decided."

"Good idea! Now our close times are about to end; we need to take advantage while we can."

"I agree; love me Georg."

The couple did take advantage this night and a few more. Two weeks had passed and the couple was once again at the doctor's office.

Doctor Bill was happy Maria had made it to her twenty-sixth week. He also told Maria about being aware of the gentle tightening of her uterus.

"Maria, this is the time when your cervix is getting ready to open so the baby can be born. There's no regularity to this tightening; the medial term is contraction. At first they're almost unnoticeable; but the more you have them you will.

"If you notice the contractions becoming regular, call the office, day or night. My answering service will answer and will contact me immediately."

"I'll have your number by the telephone when we get home."

"Good idea, Georg. I still expect to see Maria in another two weeks."

Maria not only made that appointment; she made two more. It was the day before and Isabel noticed Maria walking around more than usual.

"Maria, sit on the sofa with me. I want to feel your uterus."

"Do you think I'm in labor?"

"I do. Let me be sure before we call Georg and Doctor Bill."

Isabel rested her hand on the top of Maria's uterus; she looked at her watch when she felt it tighten; and again when it stopped. She had determined Maria's contraction were six minutes apart. She didn't panic. She said this.

"I think it's time to call Doctor Bill and Georg."

"Call Georg first; it takes him about twenty minutes to get home."

"Okay, I will."

Isabel heard. "I'm leaving now."

And from Doctor Bill's nurse she heard. "Doctor Bill will meet you at the hospital."

In less than twenty minutes Georg ran into the house. "What's happening?"

"Maria's having regular contractions every six minutes. You need to take her to the hospital."

"Help me get her to the car."

Katia, Stefan and Phillip watched along with Isabel as they drove away. "The children are going to be so surprised when they get home."

"Yes, they will be. I'll go wait for the young girls when it's time for their school to end."

And Phillip added. "Stefan and I will be out front waiting for the others."