On the other side.
Joyce took Vicki for a prenatal check-up. First, they drew blood, and then they went for an ultrasound.
The ultrasound doctor carefully explored Vicki's abdomen. Vicki watched the black and white screen with continuous flickering of light and shadows. She couldn't make out much and asked, "Are those black dots the fetus?"
In fact, despite being pregnant, she hadn't felt anything yet. Apart from feeling nauseous and uncomfortable, her body hadn't undergone any changes. She had never been a mother before, and she had never thought she would become one someday.
"Yes, that's right. Look here," Joyce pointed at a gray shadow on the screen. "It's right where my index finger is pointing. Do you see it?"
Vicki glanced at it and said, "I can't see it clearly. It doesn't matter. Doctor, can I go now?"
Joyce...
The ultrasound doctor...
They had seen impatient people before, but they had never seen a pregnant woman without any patience like this.
Joyce forced a smile and said, "Doctor, could you please give us a brief overview of the situation?" It seemed that Vicki wouldn't have the patience to see an obstetrician, so it would be fine to ask the ultrasound doctor for a general idea. This ultrasound doctor at St. Maria Hospital was considered top-notch.
"Sure," the ultrasound doctor said, "The uterus is slightly tilted forward. The pregnancy is about five weeks along, and it's a single fetus. Inside the uterine cavity, there is a gestational sac measuring about 2. 7 centimeters, with a 0. 5-centimeter embryo inside. The heartbeat of the embryo can be detected, and the echoes in the uterine region are uniform. The ovaries on both sides are normal."
"Is it only this small?" Vicki frowned, sat up from the examination bed, and straightened her clothes. "It's not even the size of a finger. It's growing too slowly. No wonder I don't feel anything."
The ultrasound doctor...
Joyce coughed twice and nudged Vicki, saying, "Pregnancy is not like inflating a balloon. The baby grows slowly inside the belly day by day. It will take about five months for the belly to visibly enlarge."
She pointed at herself and said, "Look at me. I'm having twins, so my belly is more noticeable."
"Oh," Vicki responded, "I'm having a single fetus. What a pity. Why do you have such good luck? You can have two at once, and you've had four in two pregnancies. It saves a lot of trouble. Just one after another. Humans should be more like pigs. They can give birth to many at once and be done with it."
In fact, Vicki did like children. One probably wouldn't be enough, but going through multiple pregnancies seemed troublesome. At this moment, she envied Joyce for being able to handle four children in two pregnancies.
Joyce...
The ultrasound doctor...
Joyce smiled awkwardly and said, "Doctor, could you please give us an introduction to the general situation?" It seemed that Vicki wouldn't have the patience to see an obstetrician, so it would be fine to ask the ultrasound doctor for a general idea. This ultrasound doctor at St. Maria Hospital was considered top-notch.
"Alright," the ultrasound doctor said, "This lady has excellent physical condition. At just over five weeks, both the gestational sac and the embryo have developed well, indicating a healthy fetus. There is nothing to worry about specifically, but if you experience any bleeding, you should seek medical attention promptly."
"Does pregnancy affect sexual activity?" Vicki suddenly asked.
Joyce...
The ultrasound doctor felt a bit embarrassed but still answered, "In terms of sexual activity, it can be done, but you need to be careful not to be too intense and reduce the frequency appropriately."
"How much should it be reduced? Specifically, how many times a week?" Vicki furrowed her brows and asked for more details. "Are there any restrictions on positions?"
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