Allison was approaching the start of her third year of residency which meant declaring the two areas she was most interested in to spend the next year focusing on. Her residency had been extended by six months taking her to a total of six years because of her upcoming maternity leave. Declaring a speciality and starting that training seven months pregnant was going to be difficult. She already felt rounder and heavier then she had with Everly and baby boy tumbled and squirmed constantly. She thought she was coping better this time, they had been on the look out for signs of the excessive nausea and vomiting she had with Everly but other than a few bad days it had never appeared. Nearing the end of the second trimester she felt good, she had lots of energy most days and was calm and at peace.
"Allison you don't need this," Stephanie Mitchell said as Allison and Asher walked into her office.
"With Everlys complications I want to be monitored as high risk. I want the level two and three ultrasounds on baby boys heart and brain," Allison explained, "and we'll do a planned C-section. Even if I go into labor naturally we will deliver by C-section."
"Allison, it's a bit extreme," Stephanie offered.
""No," Allison replied, "we had significant complications with Everly. My labor with her was traumatic. It took me nine years to even think about a second pregnancy after Ev because of how traumatic it was. When Asher and I found out we agreed that we couldn't go through labor again."
"You were 18," Stephanie offered, "you are much better prepared now. There's a higher risk of complications for you with the C-section."
"Typical surgical risks," Allison replied.
"Permanent damage to your uterus the incision site will have scar tissue;" Stephanie replied.
"Those are risks I'm willing to take," Allison replied, "I want additional ultrasounds now. I can get a friend to order them if you don't. I'm anxious about baby boys health and I'm scared. I can't do that again. I don't want surprises and I want the C-section scheduled. Everly was born the day after her due date after about 30 hours of labor. I went into labor the day before the due date. I want to schedule two or three days before my due date."
"Allison medically there's no indication you need it," Stephanie argued.
"I know you weren't there dr Mitchell," Asher said, "she was in so much pain. I've never heard Allie cry like that or seen her cling to me or her mom like that. It's not a good idea to make Allison go through that again when there's an option to avoid it."
"Can we compromise on a 39 week induction with epidural from the start," Stephanie offered, "give you more control."
"The epidural didn't work," Allison replied, "I want a spinal and C-section. I can't do labor again. I'm terrified. I've tried counseling and getting help but I keep coming back to having the C-section and having that control. I know there is a recovery and the extent of the surgery."
"You would understand the extent," Stephanie agreed, "I would like you to meet with someone from psych we have someone who specializes in maternity and post partum."
"I've been seeing dr Wong since 14 weeks," Allison said, "you can access my records with her and consult with her. My best bet for me and my kids is to have the C-section."
"Allison," Asher asked.
"Ash I'm not fighting with the anxiety and depression again the trauma," Allison said tears in her eyes, "I can't. We don't have my parents to fall back on this time. I can't do that again."
"Dr Mitchell we know you're the best here but if you won't work with Allie and what she needs we will find a different OB," Asher added.
"I want to consult with Dr Wong and I want to do further tests to see if it might be different now," Stephanie said, "at 18 your body was very different and less equipped for labour than you are now. Mentally and physically you're more mature and ready."
"I want a c-section and I want you to do it as department head," Allison replied, "if you won't listen to me I will find an OB who will. I am not doing a trial of labour, I'm not doing an induction with epidural. As a doctor I am making the informed decision to have an elective c-section. I know all of my options and have researched and considered them. 39 weeks for the c-section should be safe for baby boy, it's full term and I don't have a history of preterm labour."
"We can book it for 39 weeks," Stephanie agreed.
"Thank you," Allison replied.
They thanked Stephanie and left her office.
Teddy sat with Owen in the attendings lounge, "I feel so out of the loop with Allison and baby boy this time around."
"She's an adult, Ev was 10 years ago Teddy," Owen replied, "Annie and Josh did their four on their own."
"Josh went to everything with Ellie and then Annie did more on her own with each baby I think Josh only went to ultrasounds and important ones with Heather," Teddy replied.
"Asher went with her," Owen replied.
'They were fighting to get her c-section," Teddy replied, "she wasn't sure Stephanie would cave. She was going to pull the Megan card if needed."
"The my aunt is the chief card," Owen asked.
"Yes,' Teddy replied, "I think mentally she could now but she doesn't want to. She's afraid and she's found a solution that she was willing to fight for."
"Asher in an OR," Owen replied.
"Good for him to see what we all do," Teddy replied, 'but Owen I'm ready to fully retire. I'm about done. I'm old, I'm tired, I don't think I have much left to contribute. I'm no longer making a difference."
"Then call it," Owen replied, "Teddy if you're ready then make that leap."
"I wanted to see the kids through residency," Teddy replied.
"That;s a decision only you can make Teds," Owen replied.
"What are you thinking," Teddy asked.
"I'm not ready to just be home all the time," Owen replied, "I want to keep travelling and spend more of our time travelling and seeing new things."
"Cut down again," Teddy asked.
"You could," Owen replied, 'I'm not ready to. Teddy, we don't have to retire at the same time. What do you want to do?"
"I want to spend time with our grandkids and help Allie with baby boy," Teddy replied, "I want to go see Ellie in New York and Matt in Ontario and spoil them."
"Then you do all those things,' Owen replied, "do locum work here when you want to and spend the rest of your time doing what makes you happy.'
"I want to read and garden and bake and be with our grandkids,' Teddy replied, " pack care packages for Leo and his friends. Volunteer with the women's shelter."
"Then do those things," Owen said, "do what makes you happy. Teddy, you've put others and strangers above your happiness for years. Teddy chose what will make you happy, my love."
"I'm stepping further back while I figure it out," Teddy replied.
"Okay," Owen said, "you do what will make you happy."
"I want the retirement my parents never got, that Richard didn't get," Teddy said, "I want what your mom had.'
"Then retire," Owen said.
"But it's an old lady thing," Teddy complained, "I know we're in our 70s but I don't want to be old old."
"Teds," Owen sighed, pulling her into his arms.
"I love you," Teddy whispered into his neck.
"I love you too," he replied.
"Will you think I'm old and I've lost my edge,' Teddy asked, "I've gotten old Owen."
"We have," He said, "we both have. Teddy we've lived such full lives everything you've done, accomplished and we're not done. We're going to travel and spend time with our kids and grandkids. We'll meet our great grandkids when the time comes. You will still do great things."
"I want to be with our family," Teddy replied, "I want to be present with our family in a way I've never been. I've always had this place pulling me in another direction. I want to slow down again. Go from 3 to 1 or 2 average out to 1.5 a week."
"Then do it," Owen replied, "tell Megan and Maggie and do it."
"I will," Teddy replied, "I'm ready."
"Then do it," Owen said, 'Teddy you are allowed to rest and relax you have earned the right to rest and enjoy your time. You have saved so many lives and helped so many people. Teddy, it's time you do things for you. Since you were 21 your life has been dedicated to helping others."
"I need to give myself permission," Teddy replied.
"You do," he replied, "you don't need mine. You don't need anyone's approval. Our family will understand and be happy for you, our friends will want to celebrate you."
"Give me a few days," Teddy said, "I will but I need to wrap my head around it."
"Take your time," Owen replied.
Allison said good bye to Asher outside the residents locker room and went to change to her scrubs.
"You okay," Asher asked.
"I'm 30 weeks pregnant I have 8 weeks left of work," Allison replied, "I have to go prove myself."
"Are you sure," Asher asked.
"Another hug will help," Allison replied.
Asher gave her a quick hug and kiss, "see you later."
"I'll text you on my way home," Allison replied.
Allison watched Asher walk out of the surgical wing before going to get changed. She quickly changed into scrubs and made her way to the surgical floor to check on her list of patients.
"Allison," Link greeted.
"Dr Lincon,' Allison smiled.
"You okay," Linc asked.
"OB gave me the all clear," Allison replied, "I'm off at 38 weeks so 8 more to go."
'We'll take it easy," Linc said, 'no use pushing you physically when we don't need to. You're in good shape skills wise and understanding."
'Tomorrow the two year old's hips,' Allison said, "I've been studying for weeks."
"You're doing that with me," Linc promised.
"That's such a hard one on the family," Allison replied, "we have to make it easy on her."
"We will," Linc said.
"And watching closely for signs of infection," Allison replied.
"We will," Linc agreed, "we learned a lot from your daughter. How's she doing with the new baby?"
"Ev is excited to be a big sister," Allison smiled, "she's going to be so good with the baby."
"And you,' Linc asked as they walked towards the peds building.
"I'm good," Allison smiled, 'Ash and I want this. It's time, we're ready, it's right for our family."
'Good," Linc smiled.