Obstetric Consultation

Posted on Fri 23rd Apr, 2021 @ 9:29pm by Lieutenant Meghan [Maggie] Jericho

812 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Business Not At All As Usual
Location: Sick bay

ON:

Maggie was still in the uniform she had been provided aboard the vessel that rescued her. She'd heard the name, Bush - something. The Captain, Henry had given it to her. She'd been glad to change into warm clothes and out of the slaver outfit she'd worn for the mission. She lay where she'd been placed and waited. Would the doctor concur with the others? Was her unborn baby really okay? Was she okay? She'd only been waiting a few seconds, but it had felt like an eternity.

The privacy drape was flicked aside and then restored by a tall woman in the ultramarine tunic of a medical officer. The woman's skin was close to the color of paper, or fine porcelain; her hair and eyes were the black of space. "Lieutenant Jericho? I am Doctor Addams. I am a board certified obstetrician, and the lead medical banana aboard this station."

"Pleased t-to meet you?" Maggie watched and listened as the exotic yet strange looking woman strode around the bio bed as she spoke. She tried not to react to the woman's appearance. She was well accustomed to other species and cultural differences so she shouldn't fear this woman merely because she looked different. Still in shock from her experience, she found herself trembling slightly even though she finally felt warm.

"Charmed, I am sure," Addams said absently, before making a gesture in the air above Maggie's lower abdomen. "Computer, holography up. Obstetric layer." An image appeared there, and Addams considered it for a moment before turning her dark eyes to the mother. "This, Mrs. Jericho, is your offspring."

Maggie inhaled loudly. "That's my baby?" tears rolled down her cheeks as she lifted her fingers to her lips. She stared at the image of her unborn child. It was the image of a small developed fetus with fingers and toes. It looked to be the size of a small apple. "If only Elliot were here to see." She was torn between elation and despair.

Watching the patient's face, Addams went on to the next, delicate question. "Is this a desired child? Do you wish the pregnancy to continue?"

Maggie was stunned, but the woman couldn't have known her heart. It was a valid question to anyone in this position. "Yes," She smiled through her tears. "I want this child more than my own life." A thought suddenly popped into her mind, "It's still okay isn't it. They did a quick scan on the ship, but none of them was a doctor."

"The child is reasonably well. There are some indications of dehydration and malnutrition, but nothing which cannot be repaired by means of your diet." Addams held up a PADD and glanced at it. "I have taken the liberty of altering your replicator patterns appropriately, so you will not even notice the change."

"Thank you, Doctor." Maggie was relieved, "I'll do whatever it takes." Her hands went to her belly protectively.

Addams nodded. "Are you subject to reassignment, Lieutenant, or do you intend to remain here at 109?"

"I really hadn't thought about it. I'd have to get in touch with my last command, but I have no idea where they are." Maggie hadn't even thought about what would be next. "Personally, I'm not ready to go back into space, even on a larger transport." She hoped to remain on the station, at least until after her pregnancy.

"Then I shall file the paperwork... what an odd word that is, don't you find? We haven't actually used paper for such things in a couple of centuries. There are likely people aboard this station who have never seen a piece... may not even know what paper is!" The doctor shook her head in wonder, then again to recall herself to the task at hand. "I shall, as I say, file the paperwork to secure a transfer on medical / compassionate grounds."

"Thank you." Maggie was glad for this Doctor Addams. She seemed to understand how Maggie felt, even more so than Maggie did herself. Maggie already liked her.

"Never thank the fae," Addams responded. "Or an Addams. At any rate, I shall expect to see you once each week until further notice. You may make appointments with my Yeoman once you have an assigned duty schedule."

Maggie had heard that saying as a child. She'd never thought anything of it. Her grandmother had always said it would bring misfortune or bring on wrath to say thank you to those of the Daione Maithe...or something.. "My apologies. I'll try to remember that." She smiled as she buttoned her blouse. "Please know that what you have done for me has made me happy and lessened the burden on my mind." She smiled. "I will see you next week then."

"Oh, much better," Addams said with a dry smile. "Be seeing you!"

 

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