captain scurvy

Mel climbed on it and lifted her shirt to give the doctor access to her belly. Frank moved to the other side, where another stool waited for him. He took Mel’s hand between his and smiled tenderly.

“Everything’s gonna be alright,” he murmured.

The gel was cold against Mel’s skin, but soon she wasn’t caring about that, looking at the screen where her inside had appeared.

“Let’s see... here it is!” On the screen, a little blob appeared, its shape almost distinguishable. “There’s one gestational sac, well-implanted in the uterus. According to the measurements, it’s about 7 or 8 weeks along.” She moved the transducer to see around Mel’s uterus. “Everything is looking normal.” Then, she turned to Mel and Frank. “Are you ready to listen to the heartbeat?”

Mel tightened her hold on Frank’s hand and nodded. With the push of a button, a quick “ba-bump ba-bump ba-bump” filled the room, and Mel’s heart filled with emotion.

“It’s here,” she breathed, her voice uncertain and tears welling in her eyes.

Frank kissed her hand, then her temple. “It’s here. For real.”

“And doing very well,” Dr. Terry chimed from her seat. “This is the first milestone of your pregnancy, and you passed it with flying colors!”

Mel laughed wetly. “Thank you, doctor.”

After Mel cleaned her belly and dressed back again, Dr. Terry gave her a list of recommendations about food, activities, sleep rhythm, symptoms, and anything she could need in the next months.

“It was nice to meet you, and I’ll be happy to see you for you future appointments,” she said as she led the future parents to the door.

“I’ll be happy too,” Mel replied.

They had chosen an independent gynecologist, so PTMC wouldn’t know too fast about her pregnancy. It was the downside of working in a hospital: word traveled fast, despite patient confidentiality.