Free Awake My Heart (The Bentini Brothers Book 3) by Jaye McCloud Page B

Tiressa agrees
distractedly; recalling the sound of her baby’s heartbeat makes it all so very
real… she’s having a baby!
         “What about you Antonio?”
         “Yes, it is a lot to take in, but I’m excited and thrilled
that we’re having this baby.”  He leans over and gives Ti a quick light kiss,
placing his hand on her belly.
         “I will have Jenna set your next appointment.  I’d like to see
you back in six weeks.  You’ll be well into your second trimester and we can do
the ultrasound then.”
         “Sounds great.”
         Dr. Montenegro walks over to the door.  “I’ll be right back
with a little surprise for the both of you.”
         When she leaves, Tiressa hops down from the examining table,
swaying slightly.  Antonio rushes to put his arms around her waist, steadying
her.  “Ti, Beverly just told you not to get up like that.”
         “I know, I guess I forgot.”
         “You’re going to have to be more careful, Baby.”
         “You’re right, there are a lot of things I’m going to have to
get used to.”
         “There are a lot of things we’re both going to have to get used
to.”
         After a quick courtesy tap on the door, Dr. Montenegro reenters
carrying a pink, blue, yellow and green gift bag.  “Come on back to the desk,
I’m writing you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and we’ll discuss your
next visit.”
         Once Tiressa and Antonio are seated across from the doctor,
she begins explaining.  “Although ultrasounds are harmless, I prefer to give
only one ultrasound exam during the length of the pregnancy unless it becomes
medically necessary due to concerns or complications.  It’s becoming more and
more popular to offer first trimester ultrasounds, but ultrasounds done that
early in the pregnancy are basically done to tell the parents the sex of the
baby and not much more.  The most common screening still remains the
mid-pregnancy ultrasound, which is usually done between sixteen and twenty weeks. 
Mid-pregnancy ultrasounds are preferred because it gives you the most
information…all of the baby’s anatomy is in place and a detailed assessment can
be done to ensure that there are no abnormalities.  We will take basic
measurements of your baby’s head, abdomen, and bones.  We will be able to get
an estimate of how much the baby weighs and exactly how far along you are.  But
the most exciting thing we will be able to tell you whether you’re having a boy
or girl, if you want to know.  We’ll be able to point out the baby’s tiny body
parts…fingers, hands, arms, legs, feet.  We’ll check the placenta and the fluid
around the baby.  We can look at the baby’s brain, heart, and lungs.  As I
said, the mid-pregnancy ultrasound will be very comprehensive, which is why I
like to wait until my mothers-to-be are at least sixteen weeks along.  Now if
you must know the sex of your baby we can schedule an ultra sound earlier, but
it won’t yield nearly as much information,” she concludes looking at Tiressa
and Antonio expectantly.
         They look at each other and agree simultaneously, “No, we can
wait.”
         “Good!  Before we conclude this lovely visit, do either of you
have any questions or concerns?”
         “No,” Ti says immediately.
         “Yes,” Antonio says with a flush creeping up his neck and into
his face.
         “Okay, Antonio, let’s hear it.”
         “As you know Tiressa was in a car accident less than a week
ago.”  When Beverly nods her head, he continues, “I know that Chase—you
remember Chase Lassiter from college?”  Although her insides tighten at the
mention of that name, Beverly nods again.  “Chase gave Ti a clean bill of
health and now you’ve given her one as well, but I’m still concerned about…” 
He glances over at Tiressa, who has now caught on to what he wants to ask and
dips her head in embarrassment.  “I