Chapter Two #2
“I’ll wait outside the door for her and help her,” he states as if that’s what I want.
Tonya leaves us alone as I head for the bathroom.
It doesn’t take me long to leave my sample and let Axel know I’m ready for his help.
He comes in the bathroom and helps me off the toilet but continues to hover as I put my clothes back in place and wash my hands.
I can tell he wants to say something, but remains silent as we make our way out of the bathroom and toward Tonya where she waits outside a room.
Dr. Matthews is already inside waiting and has an ultrasound machine in the room.
This is worse than I thought it would be.
“Sheridan, how are you feeling today? Have you been able to keep any other food items down? How’s the pain in your back? What about the dizzy spells? ” Dr. Matthews questions me as she helps me up on the exam table while Axel stands out of the way. “Are you the dad?”
“I am,” he answers in a gruff voice before taking a seat next to the exam table.
“I feel like shit if I’m being honest. I think I might have gotten about two hours of sleep in total.
I can’t get comfortable at all no matter what I do.
The pain in my back is worse than the last time I was in here.
We knew this was a possibility and I’ve tried to prepare myself mentally for this.
I’m unable to keep anything down. I can’t even keep water down at this point.
My dad is actually outside cleaning up the parking lot because I tried a donut on the way here.
I’m fully prepared to head to the hospital after this appointment for another IV round of fluids,” I answer Dr. Matthews honestly without looking at Axel despite me feeling the tension in his body at my response.
“I’m still getting dizzy when I stand up and sometimes when I’m walking from one room to the next.
My dad has become my chauffeur so I’m not driving. ”
“There’s somethin’ wrong with her and the baby?” Axel questions Dr. Matthews while avoiding talking to me at all.
“Sheridan has been experiencing severe morning sickness. Usually it doesn’t last the entire pregnancy, but she’s shown no signs of it going away.
She’s easily dehydrated because of this and isn’t getting all of the nutrients the baby and her need.
Twice she’s had to be admitted to the hospital for treatment and is always prepared to head there after we see her.
As for the back pain, we did know this was going to happen.
Today, I’d like to give you an ultrasound to check on the baby and make sure there are no signs of distress.
We’ll have to keep a close eye on you from this point forward, Sheridan.
Any sign of distress from the baby and you’ll be put on bed rest and admitted to the hospital.
We might have to think about delivering the baby early as well,” Dr. Matthews answers as my entire body starts to tremble with the knowledge that I’m not nearly ready for everything going on in this pregnancy.
“Why don’t you put her on bed rest now?” Axel questions Dr. Matthews as she steps up and starts listening to my heart and lungs while checking my blood pressure.
“We’re worried what bed rest will do to her back.
With the previous injury and surgery, bed rest could be the worst thing for her.
As long as the baby isn’t in distress and Sheridan can handle it, she’ll be allowed to attend class and move around.
She pays close attention to her limits and has two people there to support her.
Well, when Shelly gets back she’ll have two people to support her,” Dr. Matthews responds, deliberately leaving him out as one of my support people.
“What can she do to get rid of the nausea and throwin’ up? It’s not good if she can’t keep food down, right?” he asks, sitting forward in the uncomfortable chair and watching every move the doctor makes while I stare at the wall in front of me so I don’t look at him.
“She’s already tried everything. Nothing helps and that’s why she knows she’ll more than likely have to go to the hospital for an IV once this appointment is over.
Would you like to find out the gender today if the baby will cooperate?
” Dr. Matthews asks as she steps back and prepares the ultrasound machine.
“It’s up to him,” I tell her, my voice lacking any emotion because Axel is making this entire appointment harder than it has to be. Well, at least to me he is.
I’m happy he’s asking questions and trying to learn what’s going on, but I don’t need him stepping in and trying to make demands or anything about what happens to me.
“I’d like to know if that’s okay,” he responds, his voice soft and almost nice as I continue staring at the wall in front of me.
Dr. Matthews asks me the questions about my name and date of birth for confirmation before moving forward.
In no time the sound of the baby’s heartbeat fills the room and I close my eyes with how strong and steady it sounds.
I feel the brush of Axel’s hand against mine and choose to leave my eyes shut because I don’t want to see him reject me as he quickly pulls his hand away.
“Okay. Let’s get a look at your little one,” Dr. Matthews says, causing me to open my eyes so I can see my baby on the screen.
She points out the various body parts for Axel as he leans closer to me so he can get a better look at the screen before us. Dr. Matthews takes measurements and makes notes in my chart before she pauses and moves the wand around my stomach for a few minutes without saying a word.
“It looks like you’re having a little boy.
There are no signs of distress at this point of your pregnancy.
From this point forward, we’ll give you an ultrasound every time you come in.
I want to see you once a week until you go into labor or we make the decision to induce you,” Dr. Matthews informs us as Tonya enters the exam room again with the results of my sample in hand.
“Sheridan, you’ll be heading to the hospital.
You’re dehydrated and need some nutrients.
I’m going to call over there and have them prepare everything.
The last time you went, you were able to eat right? ”
Excitement fills me with the knowledge that we’re having a son.
I’ve had dreams of the baby being a boy, but I didn’t want to read into them.
Now, Shelly and I can shop for the nursery.
I’ve been putting it off because I didn’t know what I was having.
Honestly, I wanted Axel to be part of things, but that’s not going to happen.
He has yet to even look at me again or say a single word to me.
I don’t even know if he’s happy we’re having a son.
Tears fill my eyes and the excitement diminishes because this situation breaks my heart and I wish things were better for my son.
Clearing my throat from the lump now there, I turn my attention to the doctor.
“I was. They gave me that medicine and I was able to eat a meal. It was the only one I could eat that day, but it helped. If I remember correctly, it was grilled chicken, vegetables, potatoes, milk, and juice. I ate everything and wanted more even though I was full,” I tell her honestly.
“Okay. We’ll see if that works again this week.
Make sure your next appointment is for next week.
Again, I’m not putting you on bed rest at this point because I think that will do more harm than good.
Listen to your body and don’t overextend yourself.
Sheridan, I know you only have two weeks left of summer classes, but I believe you should do them online if possible.
There’s too much at risk and campus is too far away at this point in your pregnancy with it now being high risk,” Dr. Matthews says, a frown on her face because we’ve had this conversation more than once so far.
“Okay. I’ll make the call today. Shelly should be back in a day or two from her vacation and I think she’s gonna be staying with me. For now, I’m fine on my own,” I tell her, making Dr. Matthews smile because she knows how badly I want to be on campus for class.
“Sounds good. If you need anything before your next appointment, don’t hesitate to call. I hope to see you again,” she says, turning to Axel before leaving the room.
Axel reluctantly helps me off the exam table and remains close so I don’t fall from the dizziness.
He doesn’t allow me to move until I let him know I’m ready and not dizzy any longer.
We slowly make our way out to the waiting room and I stop at the desk to make my next appointment.
I let her know it will be one week and that I’ll need two appointment cards.
Tonya comes out with pictures of the baby and hands some to me and one or two to Axel.
After getting my appointment card, I turn and leave the office.
Axel remains close until my dad comes up and takes my hand to place on his arm.
I let him know we need to head to the hospital again as I ignore the man walking behind us.
Neither one of us says a word as Axel heads for his bike and I follow my dad to his car.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly release it to stop myself from crying.
That’s the last thing I need to do right now when I’m already dehydrated and feeling like shit.