I
was pacing the length of the hospital room. Bella was sleeping, uncomfortably.
Her beautiful face was pinched in pain as she laid on her side, a heating pad
on her back.
After
Jake called me, giving me a fucking heart attack, I told him to call Alice. She
may not be an obstetrician, but she had a working knowledge of what was going
on with Bella’s body. Alice did go to medical school. Alice said for Jake to
take Bella to the hospital to be checked out. It could be something small like
a muscle strain in her back, which was painful, but didn’t ultimately harm the
baby. It also could be the beginning of back labor, which would need to be
stopped since the baby was nowhere near ready to be born.
If
that was the case, Bella would be in that hospital bed for the rest of her
pregnancy, however long that may be.
Bella
whimpered, shifting on the hospital gurney. Strapped on her belly was a fetal
heart monitor. I was an anxious mess, looking at my soul mate in pain. The only
thing that gave me solace was the steady heartbeat of my son. He was doing okay
inside.
“Mr.
Cullen?” Dr. Myerson said, walking into our private suite. She smiled at me
tenderly, but relieved. “After running some tests, your wife has strained a
couple of muscles in her back. The baby is growing inside, putting more
pressure onto her body. Your wife is tiny. You’re not.”
“Are
you saying that our son is going to be big?” I snorted.
“Right
now? He’s about four pounds, at seven months. Bella also gained fifteen pounds
since her last appointment,” Dr. Myerson explained. “That rapid weight gain, coupled with the
baby moving around inside? It caused the strain in her back, hips and pelvis.”
“What
can we do?” I asked. “She looks so uncomfortable.”
“You
have a couple of options. Pain killers aren’t an option because they could
cause birth defects with your baby. She can’t take anything stronger than
Tylenol,” Dr. Myerson said. “There are a few unconventional methods for pain
management - acupuncture, chiropractic care, exercise, heat and cold therapies
and improved posture. You’ve got a great chiropractor in your neighborhood who
specializes in pregnancy adjustments. I’ve sent a couple of patients to him
with some really great results. No more pain.”
I
looked at my wife, sitting down next to her and taking her tiny hand. She
sighed, moving closer to me. I pressed a kiss to Bella’s wrist. “What about
now?”
“We’re
going to keep her overnight. The pain did cause her to have a few Braxton-Hicks
contractions. I’d like to monitor that overnight, but since she’s been here,
there haven’t been anymore,” Dr. Myerson said. “She’ll be released tomorrow, if
all goes well.”
“Can
we get the information for the acupuncturist and chiropractor? And should we
use a physical therapist for the exercise?”
“Physical
therapy might be overkill. I’ll print out the information for the chiropractor.
They have an experienced acupuncturist on staff. I’ll also give you some
exercises, but swimming, walking and stationary cycling can help. I’ll also
give you some strengthening exercises. That will help when it comes time for
when your little one makes his appearance,” Dr. Myerson nodded. She looked at
me, her lips pursed. “Maybe a physical therapist should be in order. I’ll write
a prescription for that.”
“Thank
you,” I smiled. Bella’s eyes fluttered and she blinked up at me sleepily.
“I’ll
also get you some scrubs. You shouldn’t have to sleep in your suit, Mr.
Cullen,” Dr. Myerson quipped. “I’ll also get a more comfortable cot brought in.”
She ducked out of the room, closing the door behind her.
“How
much did you hear?” I asked.
“Medicine
won’t help,” Bella grumped. “But, acupuncture? I hate needles!”
Dr. Myerson
Hospital Room
Edward's Suit
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