And love
Chap 56 Pregnancy worries
A/N Just a reminder; at their last October birthdays, the girls were Cassie-10 years old, Malina-7 years old, Mary
Rose-4 years old.
8888888888888
DOCTOR NELSON'S OFFICE
JULY 27
"Wow, it looks like you are getting as big as . . . a . . . um . . . just a minute while I remove said foot from said mouth," nurse Debbie blushes. She turns around to compose herself. When she turns back around, she faces a stern looking expectant couple.
Silence.
Then all 3 burst out laughing.
"I'm disappointed, I was hoping you'd give me an appropriate word to insert there," Jamie huffs.
"Yeah, he is having trouble with that," Eddie smirks. "I keep waiting for him to take a leap. I'm ready to pounce."
"Don't I know it," he mutters.
"What was that, sweetheart?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"I love you too," she pats his cheek.
"Oh, you two are the high point of my day! Shall we get started?"
Debbie completes her part of the visit and exits the exam room. Casey Nelson soon enters.
"Welcome back, it is great to see you two!" Casey exclaims, smiling brightly.
"You too," both parents return.
"And how is mother these days?"
"Doing good, gaining weight like mad."
"Any issues?"
"No, our girls are watching this process with a sense of wonderment. It's actually a thing of beauty to see," Eddie chuckles.
"I am sure. Have they had any questions regarding their own future experience?" Casey cocks her head.
Eddie looks to Jamie, he responds. "Not that I've heard. You, babe?"
"Nothing for me either. What should we say, if they ask," Eddie turns to Casey.
"Just be honest. They obviously are interested and curious. Don't be devious or hide things. That will only feed their imaginations, and you don't want to do that. I don't think."
"No, no. They do enough of that on their own!" They all laugh, softly.
"Let's get started, shall we?"
Eddie lays back on the exam table, pulls her top up and tenses in anticipation of the cool, blue gel.
Before she calls for Debbie, Casey does the physical exam. She feels all around Eddie's abdomen, percussing here and there. "Any pain, or tender spots?"
"No."
The doc then puts her stethoscope on Eddie's tummy, listening at several spots. "Everything sounds ok, we'll get a better idea with the doppler."
She puts the stethoscope back around her neck, and picks up a portable doppler device. She moves the probe around until a clear pitter-patter of fetal heartbeat can be heard.
Eddie and Jamie look at each other, wide grins on their faces. It is absolutely amazing to hear the sound of developing life, in her womb. It never gets old!
Casey buzzes for Debbie; the nurse enters pushing the cart with the U/S machine. After set up beside Eddie, the gel is applied, Casey begins the test.
"Everything looks good. Your little guys are growing as expected, good position, for now."
"For now? Meaning?" Jamie wonders out loud.
"The fetuses do move around, you probably feel that, Eddie."
"Yes, sometimes a lot," she chuckles.
"We'll keep an eye on the positions. You are right on track, 26 weeks along. So, we'll talk more after Debbie cleans up here."
Casey turns to her computer and does some charting while Debbie wipes the gel off of Eddie's abdomen. As Eddie straightens her top, Debbie collects her things and exits.
Casey turns to face the couple and begins. "There are some things about twin births, and your pregnancy in specific, that we need to discuss."
Eddie's hand flies up to cover her mouth; Jamie wraps an arm around her shoulders.
"Oh no! What's wrong?" Eddie chokes out.
Casey smiles and lays a hand softly on Eddie's forearm. "Nothing is wrong my dear. I promise."
They relax, a little.
"It's just that twin births are different*. There are more things to watch, more decisions to make. FIRST, your babies each have a placenta of its own. Two placentas for nourishment and oxygenation. SECOND, your womb is a very crowded place! THIRD, one placenta is partially covering your cervix. Questions so far?"
"Wow, that's a lot to take in," Jamie shudders. Eddie is silent and pale. Jamie is holding tightly to her shoulders. She just shakes her head.
"Ok, a few statistics to think about. 3% of all births are twins. About 50% of twin births occur at or before 37 weeks. 20% are before 34 weeks; for a variety of reasons. 60-75% of twins are delivered by c-section. This is because of the higher risk of complications, and the challenges of a vaginal delivery. This is really complicated, I'm sorry for that. But it is, what it is."
Casey leans forward and takes Eddie's hands in hers. "I'm always here for you, both of you. My entire office and I will do everything we can to support you and your beautiful babies. I promise you this . . . if at any time you desire a 2nd opinion – please do not hesitate to ask. I will gladly provide you with a name or 2, of a specialist I know and trust. No hesitation, no hard feelings, NEVER!"
Eddie's feeling of gratitude soars. Jamie is right with her. They realize how important a good doctor-patient relationship is. And they are very comfortable with Casey.
"So, is a c-section in my, our future?" Eddie is trembling.
"More than likely. The oneplacenta partially covering your cervix and the 2 placentas make it probable. It gets really messy delivering two babies and two placentas as you can imagine. Thus, a c-section is usually preferred."
"I understand. Can we try a normal, vaginal delivery."
"It is possible. We will watch that placenta covering part of your cervix closely. The status of that may well tip our hand."
"I understand," Eddie's head drops.
"Let me suggest this. Why don't we see you in 2 weeks, at 28 weeks, and we will talk more. And see where things stand. That one placenta may pull back off your cervix, simplifying one factor."
"Does that happen?" Jamie wonders out loud.
"Yes, it does. What do you think, Eddie?"
"I like that, 2 weeks." Eddie seems a little relieved.
"Good. I'll have Debbie come back in and wrap-up and get you that 2-week appointment."
88888888888888
DRIVING HOME
Epiphany
It was a very quiet drive. Jamie knew that his wife was lost in thought. This is going to be a real trying time; they really need each other now. Their family support, their love would certainly be tested to the max. Suddenly Eddie clutches his arm – "do you know what this means, Jamie?"
"What?"
"Well, 40 weeks is November 2, my due date. Casey was talking about a c-section at, maybe 37 weeks." She stares at him.
"So . . . oh . . . OH! Are you kidding me!"
"Yup, 5 October birthdays!" She smacks her forehead. "We couldn't have done this if we tried, Jamie!"
He slows and swerves into a strip mall parking lot. He slides into a spot in front of a 7-Eleven and slams on the parking brake. As he gets out Eddie screams, "What are you doing?"
"Buying a lottery ticket, be right back!" He slams the door behind him and runs inside.
"Well, we could use the money," Eddie mutters.
88888888888888
TBC
While I am a retired Internal Medicine physician, this wasn't my area of expertise. So, I'm doing my best through WWW to be reasonably accurate. If I make an egregious error, please comment. No obscenities please.
Note to self: Stony Brook Medical Center; grade 3b NICU. 46 private beds allowing private, family visitation. This may, or may not come into play. It is not far from Middle Island. FYI