Page 85 of Living for Truth
We watch two more movies before we’re both yawning and ready to call it a night. When we settle into bed, she curls up like a cat at my side and kisses me tenderly before falling asleep against my chest.
Chapter 39
Hannah
I’m freaking out because today is the day we go to the doctor to see the baby for the first time. According to my last period, I should be nine weeks now. Morgan called and got us an appointment with the best OBGYN in Utah, even though my insurance doesn’t cover her.
I have good insurance through the library, but Morgan wouldn’t budge on this, so here we are in the waiting area while I fill out a new patient questionnaire.
The office looks like any other medical building from the outside, but on the inside it’s like we’ve stepped into a cozy luxury cabin. The side tables look like they’re made from logs, and there’s a big fireplace that’s turned off since it’s almost July. The leather sofas and waiting chairs are actually pretty comfortable to sit in and wide enough to accommodate my plus size body, which I appreciate.
I quickly fill out the questionnaire, and not five minutes later, we’re being called back by the medical assistant—Kiley—who takes my weight and bloodpressure, then sends me to the bathroom for a urine test. She asks the standard questions about my pregnancy history and symptoms, and leaves us so I can change into a hospital gown.
I hate the initial visit with a provider. I had three different doctors because of insurance changes when I was with Liam, but each one was an older white man who told me I was too “unhealthy” and that was why the babies weren’t making it to term. I asked them to do whatever blood tests they needed to cement that answer, but they all just told me I needed to lose weight.
“I’m sorry you have to relay so many details about your miscarriages, Hannah. I can’t even imagine how hard it is.” Morgan squeezes my hand from where he’s sitting next to the exam table.
“Thank you. It’s one of the harder parts of all of this. I already feel more comfortable here than I have with other doctors, though. I like that they have different gown sizes for people with different size bodies.”
Morgan’s brows furrow. “I never realized that could be an issue.”
I nod. “Some places only have one size, and it’s not nearly big enough to cover a bigger body.”
“That’s stupid. They’re a medical office, they should accommodate and accept all body sizes.”
I smile at the new found outrage for the bias of the American healthcare system.
“I agree. Now, just to prepare you, some doctors will make blatant comments about my weight and body in regards to my health. I know you want to protect me, but please let me handle this.”
“Fine. But I won’t be happy about it,” he grumbles right as a knock sounds on the door.
A woman in a white lab coat comes into the room, her long brown hair pulled into a chic ponytail. “Hello, Miss Layton, I’m Dr. Azadeh Badar. It’s nice to meet you.” She holds her hand out, and I shake it.
“Nice to meet you too, Dr. Badar.”
“Is this dad?” She nods to Morgan.
“I am. Morgan Fowler, nice to meet you, doctor.”
“You as well. I’m glad you have a supportive partner with you, Hannah.” She claps her hands. “Alright. We’re going to be doing a transvaginal ultrasound to see if we can see the baby, and that will give us a more accurate idea of how far along you are. According to your chart, you should be about nine weeks, but the ultrasound will help us confirm that. Then, once we’re done, I’ll send you over to the lab for some blood work. I noticed you have had quite a few miscarriages in the past; have any of your previous providers done any sort of testing to see if there’s a medical reason?”
“No. They just said it was because of my weight.”
She frowns. “Well, sometimes weight can be a determining factor, but there’s usually an underlying issue that goes along with it. I don’t see a history of diabetes or cholesterol issues, so I don’t think your weight is the problem. I’d like to run some additional blood tests…” She types something on the computer. “We’ll test your hCG levels, of course, as well as blood count levels, and I want to do an AMH test which will tell us your egg count and egg reserve. If that comes back abnormal, there may be additional testing we want to do.”
“Okay, that sounds good.”
“Perfect!” She snaps on some hot pink gloves, pulls out the transvaginal ultrasound wand, sheaths it in a protective cover, then puts the ultrasound goo on it.
“That’s going inside her?” Morgan’s face is twisted in confusion and a little bit of horror.
Dr. Badar chuckles. “Yes, Mr. Fowler. I assure you it’s safe. Hannah, have you had one of these done before?”
“Yes.”
“Great. A little bit of discomfort isn’t uncommon, but it’s not nearly as painful as a pap smear or a cervical biopsy.”
Morgan nods, looking a little paler now. Poor guy.
