Doctor's Report

Perplexed by his patient's claim, the doctor brought out his reading glasses and put them on. He picked up the ultrasound scan report and perused through it for a few seconds.

Looking up to an equally puzzled Lola, the doctor said calmly.

"Mrs Lola Hart, according to your ultrasound scan report, which was conducted a few minutes ago by our highly proficient sonographer, your pregnancy is ten weeks old."

"Ten weeks old! That can't be, doctor. There must be a mistake somewhere. I'm four weeks pregnant and not ten weeks. Maybe the sonographer exchange my result with someone else's results." Lola declared, still doubting the authenticity of the scan report.

"Hmm..." the doctor leaned back and relaxed his back on his seat, his inquisitive gaze on Lola. "Enlighten me, Mrs Hart. Why do you think the result isn't yours?"

Lola paused for a split second to assemble her thoughts. She tried to recall the events of the past three months, before answering the doctor's question.

"Okay...my first reason would be my monthly cycle. I had never missed my monthly menstrual flow until a few weeks ago when I discovered that I was pregnant. Secondly, pregnant women are supposed to experience certain symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, nausea and so on. I had never experienced such symptoms until recently when I discovered I was pregnant. Lastly, my husband and I recently concluded a failed fertility procedure. We were hoping to resume our trial before...never mind."

Lola looked away from the doctor to hide her pain.

"Hmm..." The doctor took off his reading glasses and put them aside. He rested his elbow on the table while staring at Lola.

"To answer your first interesting point, I would like to let you know that pregnancy sometimes comes with light bleeding or spotting. The truth is that you cannot be pregnant and still have a period. Common causes for spotting during pregnancy are implantation bleeding."

The doctor paused briefly for his words to sink into the doubting woman before him.

"Nevertheless, bleeding and spotting from the vagina during pregnancy are common. Up to one out of four of all pregnant women have some bleeding or spotting during their pregnancy. Bleeding and spotting in pregnancy don't always mean there's a problem, but they can be a sign of miscarriage or other serious complications."

"Really...wow! I didn't know that." Lola confessed."

The doctor smiled.

"Secondly, as regards experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, this sometimes varies amongst different women. While it's uncommon, it is possible to go through pregnancy with few or no symptoms. But most pregnant women – 90 percent of them, in fact – have pregnancy symptoms by eight weeks."

"Interesting!" Lola was impressed by the doctor's knowledgeable statistics.

"Finally, I had no knowledge that you were under some sort of fertility treatment. There is a possibility that the treatment was successful without you realizing it."

"Yeah..."

Lola's memory flashback to approximately eleven weeks ago.

It had been a challenging month for her with several bills to settle. Also, she visited the hospital again for another dose of ovulation injection. Afterwards, she endured a series of loveless sex with her husband.

On that fateful evening, she remembered crying her eyes out, when she realized she was having her monthly flow again. This only spelled doom for her expensive fertility procedures.

Lola and Brian were hoping that this last month of trial would yield results but alas, it was the same old story.

Brian left home that night in a fit of rage. The following day, he declared he was done trying to have babies with her.

Due to Brian's rejection, Lola didn't bother going back to the hospital for a follow-up or check-up. She just assumed that the whole procedure failed.

Thinking about it now, Lola was beyond perplexed. She couldn't believe that she had been pregnant all this while without realizing it.

"Does this mean that I'm pregnant for...Oh my goodness...I... Wait a second. Doctor, umm...I would like to ask a sensitive question about a pregnant friend of mine."

"I'm listening." The doctor smiled.

"You see...umm...this friend of mine never knew she was pregnant just like me." Lola gulped down the lump in her throat while avoiding the doctor's curious gaze. "She umm.... somehow...umm...got drugged and sexually abused by a total stranger."

Lola whispered the last few sentences, causing the doctor to chuckle.

"And you think your friend might be pregnant for the stranger?" The doctor read Lola's mind.

"Yes. But is it possible?"

"Medically and scientifically, no. It is impossible. A foetus is already developing in her womb and freshly injected sperm have zero effect on it."

Lola breathed out the anxiety overwhelming her as happiness slowly crept into her heart like a peaceful flowing river. She felt tears well up in her eyes as the thought of carrying Brian's child overwhelmed her.

"However..."

Lola raised her face up to meet the doctor's worried gaze.

"...violence against pregnant women is of particular concern to us because of the additional risk to the unborn child. Violence and drugs can harm a child through direct injury, causing placental damage, premature contractions, membrane rupture, or fetal death. Studies have documented significantly increased risks of preterm birth and low birthweight among infants born to abused women."

"Really!" Lola's heart sank. "Is my unborn...I meant to say is my friend's unborn child, at risk."

"Well for your friend, I can't say for a fact because I haven't examined her. But for you, based on the ultrasound scan and physical examination we have conducted, your foetus is developing just fine. All you have to do is ensure you stay away from the stress that would spike your blood pressure, adhere to the diet plant we'll be drafting for you, and regularly take your vitamins and blood pressure medication. Also, I would suggest you register for antenatal sessions."

"Okay doctor, I w..."

Lola was interrupted by a gentle tap on the doctor's door.

"Come in." The doctor called out.

The door knob turned and a pretty looking lady in a white nurse tunic stepped into the office, holding a white envelope.

"Sir, Mrs Hart's HIV test result is ready."