Page 22 of Coast

“You did the right thing. No reason to take unnecessary chances. I’m going to have the nurse administer some meds for your blood pressure.”

“Will that stop the labor?” Larry asked.

“It’s a possibility, but the high blood pressure is just one factor, Mr. Winston. The placenta abruption is the major issue because it’s how the fetus gets it oxygen. I discussed with both of you before about if this happened, labor would be induced or even a caesarian might be need because it won’t just be the fetus at risk.”

“What’s the likelihood of putting off delivery longer? Giving the baby a better chance,” Kate asked.

I laid my hand on top of hers, then gave it a reassuring squeeze. “We can’t because the risk to you and the baby won’t allow it.”

“If the baby is born today, what are we facing medically with her, Doc?”

I saw the worry in Mr. Winston’s eyes for his child and wife. I would have given anything to take it away, but that was beyond my power. Life’s fragile under perfect circumstances.

“She’ll weigh anywhere from two and a quarter to two and a half pounds. Once delivered, we’ll do nasal intubation to help her breathe until her lungs develop. Babies born this early, in addition to the low weight, almost always have breathing issues. She’ll be moved to NICU. The placenta coming detached early not only affects the oxygen but blood flow, too. That can cause other issues. Let’s worry about issues after the birth and concentrate on lowering Kate’s HBP. The lower we can get it before delivery, the less strain on mother and daughter.”

“How long will the baby have to stay in NICU?” Kate asked and continued to rub her hand over her belly.

“It can depend on what complications arise. One step at a time, Kate. Let’s get her here first. Okay?”

“Okay. We plan to use Dr. Agassi for the baby’s pediatrician,” Kate said but looked at her husband.

“A few of my friends take their children to Dr. Agassi. They like her. Her office is in the building beside mine, but I’ve only had a chance to talk with her a couple of times in passing since she opened her practice. You’ll have paperwork to fill out, and if you put her name down as the baby’s pediatrician, the neonatal staff will make sure she’s aware of everything, so when the baby is released from NICU, she will do all follow-ups from then on.”

“Thank you, Dr. Minton,” Mr. Winston said, and I smiled.

“You’re welcome. I’m going to step out and check in with my office and make arrangements in case a c-section is needed. I’ll be down the hall if you need me. Try to relax, okay?” The parents nodded, and I left the room.

Far from out of the woods with the baby, but I would do my best to bring her into the world. Once I got her there, hopefully, her stay in the NICU would be short, but first, I had to give her that fighting chance. At almost twenty-nine weeks, the odds were on her side.

Two hours later, Styrofoamcup of coffee in hand, on my way to check in on Kate Winston, I met the nurse coming out of her room.

“Oh good, I was coming to get you. The bleeding has picked up.”

“How’s her HBP?”

“It has lowered, but not much.”

“Go ahead and make sure an OR is availabe. Call the NICU and tell them we are going to need them.”

“You got it.”

I went into the room, and after checking Kate, I read the monitor tape. The oxygen level and blood flow to the baby were starting to drop. Definitely the placenta pulling away.

“Well, are you ready to become parents?” I asked as cheerfully as I could. I learned the more relaxed I was, the parents seemed to stay calmer.

“Do we have a choice?” Kate asked and gave a weak smile.

“I wish I could give one,” I said as the door opened and a nurse walked in with an orderly behind her.

“Everything is ready. Neonatal is on their way,” the nurse said, and then we went into action.

Three hours later, I stood in the hallway looking through the glass at the new parents with their daughter. Bethany Nicole Winston weighed two and a quarter pounds and measured fourteen and a half inches. She’d given a small whimper when I pulled her out. I’d handed her off and turned back to close up Kate. It’d only taken twenty minutes from beginning to end. Now, Bethany’s new life was up to the neonatal unit. I’d stayed and monitored Kate to make sure mother had no complications. Her blood pressure had dropped into a good range not too long after delivery. A good sign. When Kate was ready, she and Larry were taken to NICU to spend time with their daughter.

I watched Larry as he placed a hand on Kate’s shoulder and bent and kissed her head. He whispered something in her ear, and a smile spread across her face.

“You heading out?” the neonatal resident asked as he approached.

“Yeah, I just wanted to have a look before I left. How’s the Winston baby doing?” I asked, then rubbed my hand across my neck.

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