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“Um, I guess the bad news.”
I’m not sure what else to say. I was hoping for all good news and to get this show on the road. Not hit a roadblock.
Wheeling his chair to my patient bed, Dr. Travis looks at me carefully before dropping the bomb I never expected. “The bad news is that we can’t move forward with the insemination. I’m so sorry, Tenley.”
“What? Wait, why? I did everything you asked of me. I stopped taking my birth control. I’ve taken the recommended vitamins every day, been in and out every week for bloodwork. I even did acupuncture, which is literally my biggest fear. So, I’m a little confused, Dr. Travis.”
What I don’t expect Dr. Travis to do is smile. He grins slightly enough to throw me off guard. There’s nosmiling after you deliver bad news. He’s supposed to be mopey and sad with me.
“Did you want to hear the good news now, Tenley?” He lowers his glasses and looks me head-on.
“Alright. Yeah. Let’s hear it.” Maybe if I keep my eyes shut, the bad news will magically go away, and I’ll end up in stirrups by the end of this with sperm in my uterus.
“The good news is that you’re pregnant.”
“Fertility doctor says what?”
I know they didn’t mean to, but Dr. Travis and Macie both laugh at my outburst. “You’re pregnant, Tenley. That’s why we can’t go through with the procedure.”
“How…? How is that possib?—”
“Have you had intercourse in the last four weeks?”
Shit. No. No. My last hoorah before I turned into a baby-making machine. But we used a condom. How is that possible?
“We used protection.”
“Condoms break all the time. Although mostly effective, there is always the risk.”
That motherfucker…
But wait. “I’ve been here every week for bloodwork. Wouldn’t you have been able to see I was pregnant in my results?”
“Not always,” he tells me confidently. “Implantation can occur up to fourteen days after conception. But it varies between women. Some women show a positive pregnancy test within a few weeks, and others take a bit longer. Yours happened to be on the later end. There’s no right or wrong way. Do you understand now why I can’t move forward with the procedure?”
I nod, having a really difficult time believing this is true. August and I were careful. I saw the condom with my owntwo eyes. I mean, I’m aware that accidents happen, but why now?
“Will the hormone shots I was given harm the baby?” God, I couldn’t bear that.
“Not at all. If anything, they help protect the lining of your uterus for a healthy pregnancy. Now, there are always risks, so if heavy bleeding or pain occurs, please seek emergency care right away.”
“Okay. I understand. I’m sad, but I get it. I guess I have some things to think about now.”
Dr. Travis hands me some paperwork, the title reading “What To Do When You’re Expecting.”Comforting, Doc.“Take this and look through it a bit. I’ve written down the name of a great OBGYN who is a close friend of mine. He’s the best in the business. Give him a call, and he will get you squared away. Good luck, Tenley. I wish you nothing but the best.”
“Thanks, Dr. Travis.”
Not one part of that appointment went as I imagined it would. I feel so many different emotions right now, I can’t get myself to walk out the door. I just need to let his words settle.
You’re pregnant, Tenley.
There’s the dream. Only now with a devilishly handsome third baseman along with it.
My head meetsthe stone countertop with a light thud, calling me to rest and stay there forever.
I could question my understanding, but it’s uselessbecause I know exactly what this is. I know exactly what happened and, more specifically,howit happened. It’s foolish of me to question it.
I can’t forget thehowpart, no matter how hard I try. Dr. Travis only confirmed what I suspected, but refused to let myself believe.
