Chapter 360
The doctor glanced at Herman and asked, âFive weeks into the pregnancy. You didnât know?â
Herman was so shocked. His face was twitching with surprise. âMy wife is pregnant? The doctors said it would be difficult for her to conceive. We never thought weâd have a child.â
âWell, difficult doesnât mean impossible. You two are lucky,â the doctor said. âAnd itâs a good thing you brought her here in time. Any later, and we might not be able to save the baby. She needs to rest on bed now, avoiding stress and exertion. The first three months are crucial. And she definitely canât drink alcohol again.â
Herman felt like he was on a roller coaster. His heart was lurching with every word the doctor said. He grasped the doctorâs hand in gratitude. âThank
you.â
Monica, who had been anxiously waiting, let out a sigh of relief. When she heard that the threatened miscarriage had been caused by drinking, she was filled with remorse. âItâs all my fault. If something happened to Anastasia or the baby, I donât know how I could live with myself.â
She was genuinely remorseful and kept apologizing to Herman. âIâm so sorry, Herman. Go ahead, yell at me if it makes you feel better.â
âAnastasia might not even know sheâs pregnant. Itâs just an accident. Luckily, it ended up being a close call,â Herman said. Then he told Monica to wait while he spoke to the doctor.
Herman and the doctor retreated to his office to discuss Anastasiaâs condition. She had been in a car accident before and had suffered severe damage to her lower back. Pregnancy would put a significant strain on her.
Herman asked the doctor with a serious expression, âConsidering my wifeâs health, is it safe for her to carry this baby? Could it endanger her?â
âMr. Salstrom,â the doctor began, âI wonât lie to you. Your wifeâs health is not good. Sheâs already showing signs of a threatened miscarriage. It will be challenging to keep the baby, and the strain of pregnancy will only increase as she progresses. From a medical perspective, we donât recommend continuing the pregnancy. But the fact that sheâs pregnant is miraculous. Itâs really up to you two to decide.â
The doctor had given Herman a difficult choice. If they tried to save the baby, they might end up losing both the baby and Anastasia. But if they didnât keep the baby, it might be their last chance to have a child. Anastasia probably wouldnât want to give up.
When Herman left the doctorâs office, his face was not one of joy. He sat down on a bench in the hallway, contemplating the doctorâs words.
The doctor had suggested a plan, albeit a risky one. They could control the babyâs size to prevent it from growing too large and then perform a cesarean section at seven months. This could reduce the strain on Anastasiaâs body and potentially save the baby. But the doctor couldnât guarantee that there wouldnât be complications with Anastasiaâs health during this time.
Herman rubbed his face, struggling with the decision. It was essentially a gamble with Anastasiaâs life at stake.
If they won, theyâd save both the mother and the baby.
If they lost⦠Herman shuddered at the thought.
âHerman, Anastasia has been moved back to her room. What are you still doing out here?â Monica had come looking for him after he didnât return for a while. She found him sitting on the bench in a daze. âDid the doctor say something? You donât look so good. Is there something else wrong with Anastasia?â
Herman stood up and composed himself. âNo, everythingâs fine. Iâm going to go see her now. Monica, could you please get some light, nutritious food for her?â
âSure, Iâll go right now.â Monica was more than happy to help. The news of Anastasiaâs pregnancy had made her forget about her recent breakup.
In the hospital room, Anastasia was dumbfounded when she found out she was pregnant. Then, she started crying tears of joy. She gently touched her belly, thinking about the child she was carrying. When Herman entered the room, she looked up at him, Her face was radiant with happiness. âHerman, youâre going to be a dad. Weâre having a baby.â