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Annie
These days at home have been wonderful. My pregnancy is progressing quickly, though the baby’s weight is already taking its toll on me. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sleep, so I have to find ways to manage. Sometimes, I even sleep sitting
- up.
“Hello, my love. How did you sleep?” My mom enters my room. She knows that, despite my best efforts, I can no longer rest properly. I have to invent new positions, but it’s complicated. It’s so easy to be on the other side, to be the gynecologist and recommend things to patients without experiencing them. I’ll take this opportunity to learn more and become a better doctor.
“Very poorly. I slept very little. When I finally manage to doze off, Angelito wakes up and kicks me non–stop. I think he’s trying to tell me that he can’t wait any longer and wants to come out into the world.” My mom smiles and comes over to hug me.
“Well, what can I say? You did the same to me. But I assure you it’s worth it. When you hold your baby in your arms, there will be moments when you’ll wish to have him back inside you. You’ll feel a little lonely because, for months, he’s been with you, feeding off you and loving you from within. Hang in there, my love.”
I smile at my mother for her beautiful words. And it’s true what she says. When he’s no longer inside me, I will miss him.
I get out of bed and feel something strange. A slight discomfort in my lower
abdomen.
I head to the shower and take a good bath. When I get out, I look for comfortable clothes and get ready to have breakfast with the family.
With my due date approaching, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Susan are at home. She decided to come and spend these last few weeks with me, despite the sad face Uncle Trevor made. He claims he won’t be her favorite man anymore, which makes us laugh a lot. Although we know he’s just joking, he’s also eager to meet his grandchild.
That day we went shopping. Something drives me to have everything ready. I make a
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mental list of what I might be missing, even though, two days ago,
Aunt Day
organized a baby shower, and we received many gifts. Dad has taken care of preparing Angel’s room, which was once mine.
It’s all in light blue, and the lights reflect on the white ceiling, creating a great starry
sky.
I think everything is
almost ready. Now all that’s left is the arrival of that little one.
In the afternoon, I receive a video call from my friends. I still miss them a lot, but only
a few months remain until we reunite.
“Girl… is something wrong?” Martha’s comment catches my attention.
“No, why do you ask?” She stays silent for a moment but then explains.
“It’s just that you’ve made a strange face twice. Are you feeling unwell?” I’m surprised
I didn’t notice my face showing those expressions and that my observant friend noticed through the screen.
“Actually, it’s something strange. I’ve felt discomfort in my abdomen since early this morning.” They stay silent. I know them well, and I know they’re worried.
“Girl, I know you’re a specialist, but right now, you’re not your own doctor, and we’re not there. Please, make an appointment with your doctor.”
The concern I see on their faces scares me. I think they’re right. I’m relying too much on my knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth and not considering that, at this moment, I’m just a patient.
“You’re right, girls. I’ll send a message to my doctor right now to get an appointment.” That calms them down a bit. I look behind them but don’t see a certain boy with
beautiful eyes.
“And Huesitos? Why isn’t he there? Does he have a consultation?” They start to ramble and don’t tell me anything clear. It seems very suspicious. Maybe he’ll call me later, so I don’t ask them more.
When we hang up the video call, I immediately call my doctor.
“Hello, Dr. Summers, it’s Annie. I’m calling because I’ve had some discomfort since this morning, and my friends recommend that I get a check–up.” The doctor listens to
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me and agrees, so he schedules me for an appointment in an hour at his office.
When I finish the call, I pack my hospital bag and leave it aside. I get ready to go out and look for Mom and Aunt Susan.
“Hello, grandmas. I don’t want to interrupt, but I just made an appointment with my doctor. He’s going to give me a check–up.” They stand up, scared, knowing that I had a check–up just two days ago..
What happened, love? Are you feeling unwell?” I shake my head, but they aren’t very satisfied.
“Come on, Su. Help me with her while I go get my bag and the keys.” I smile. I don’t
see my dad around the house.
“And Dad?” I ask Aunt Su. But before she answers, I feel the sensation of having wet
myself, as a good amount of water gushes from between my legs. My aunt’s face is
terrified.
“Annie! Your water broke!” Okay, this is not good. I still have a month to go. I feel a shiver run down my spine. Mom comes with her things, and when she sees me, she
panics.
“Oh my God! Angelito is about to be born.” I feel the blood drain from my face. I repeat to myself in my mind, “Stay calm, you’re a professional,” “This is your field,” “Come on, Annie, you’ve attended hundreds of births.” But nothing works, and I start to cry.
Everything turns into chaos. Mom grabs the phone to call my dad. When she hangs up, she calls the gynecologist, who asks her to take me directly to the hospital. Aunt Susan quickly runs up the stairs. And before I know it, I’m in the car, on my way to welcome my little Angel.
I breathe deeply. The contractions haven’t started yet. I calm down and start counting. But no, it’s not time yet.
We arrive at the hospital in record time, where a wheelchair is already waiting to take
me to a room.
Everything that happens next feels like a dream.
My room is very nice, I settle in and wait for my doctor, who doesn’t take long to
appear.
I
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“Dear Annie, it seems your baby is eager to meet the world.” I smile slightly. He examines me and says there’s still not enough dilation for the baby to be born.
“The dilation isn’t sufficient, but the nurse will monitor fetal movement. We’ll have to wait.” I nod, and he leaves. The nurse places the belt on me, and I stay alone. But suddenly, I notice something isn’t right. I call the nurse, who comes quickly.
“Do you need anything?” I can’t speak. Tears come to my eyes. When I finally calm down, I ask her to call the doctor. Dr. Summers arrives in a few minutes, and hearing the same thing I do, he leaves the room.
My baby is experiencing fetal distress.
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