Shattered Dreams Due to Unforeseen Consequences

Chapter 8 Pregnancy and birth

Cassie and her grandmother arrived at the hospital, both feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. As they entered the waiting room, they could see other expectant mothers and their families, all of them chatting away and exchanging stories. Cassie's grandmother squeezed her hand, reassuring her that everything was going to be alright. They took a seat and waited for the doctor to call them in.

When the doctor called them in, he introduced himself as Doctor Derek Valle, and he explained to Cassie what to expect in her first hospital appointment. He explained that they would take her blood pressure, measure her weight and abdomen, and check her blood work. He also said that they would talk to her about her diet and lifestyle and answer any questions she might have. He assured her that he and the nurses would take good care of her and her unborn baby.

After completing the initial tests, Doctor Valle proceeded to do the ultrasound on Cassie. As she watched the monitor, he showed her the developing fetus just a quarter-inch long, about the size of a sweet pea! She could see the early development of the beginning of limbs and body shape. She was amazed to see a visible heartbeat! Doctor Valle explained to Cassie that everything was progressing normally, and he was confident that her baby was healthy and growing steadily.

Doctor Valle then explained to them that he would see them again in around Eight weeks for the Nuchal Translucency scan, which would measure the fluid at the back of the baby's neck and help them estimate the baby's gestational age and any potential chromosomal abnormalities. He also reminded them to follow up with their doctor if they had any questions or concerns.

Thanking Doctor Valle for his help and reassurance, they then made their way back to the reception desk. Cassie and her grandmother spoke to the nurse at the desk and made the next appointment for the 25th of August. She then gave them a few leaflets about prenatal care. They thanked the nurse and said their goodbyes, both of them feeling a wave of relief and happiness. As they walked out the hospital doors, Cassie looked over at her grandmother and smiled.

On the 10th of July, Cassie took her exams to determine which year she would begin her schooling in New Zealand. Besides passing all year eleven classes, Cassie passed year 12 English, creative writing, maths, biology, and music. The only subjects she had to take were Physics and Chemistry. This meant that her course load for year 12 would be lighter than her year 13. She was relieved that she would have more time to focus on her pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of her baby.

Cassie soon settled into a routine of homeschooling, exercising by walking on the beach, learning how to cook with her grandmother, relaxing, and spending time talking to her friends. She and her grandmother would often discuss her pregnancy progress and the changes her body was undergoing. They also spoke about the importance of getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Cassie was thankful for her grandmother's support and for the opportunity to bond with her as they prepared for the arrival of her baby.

Cassie really enjoyed tracking her baby's growth on her mobile app, and she was excited to share her progress and post pictures of her still flat tummy on her Instagram and Twitter accounts. She felt proud of her accomplishment and was looking forward to the day she could show off her baby bump.

Cassie was amazed to see that at 11 weeks, she was already starting to show a tiny baby bump. Her jeans, which had fit perfectly just weeks before, were now getting tighter around her waistline. She was amazed at how quickly her body was changing and adapting to the growing baby inside her.

After seeing the changes in her body, Cassie decided to go shopping for some new clothes with her grandmother. She wanted to ensure she had comfortable and stylish clothing that would fit her properly as her baby bump grew. She also wanted to make sure she had some nice outfits for her upcoming doctor's appointments. Once they arrived at the store, Cassie was excited to try on different clothes and find the perfect pieces for her pregnancy wardrobe.