His Corazón

48. Muffins

I watched as Akshita slowly relaxed on the bed, her pale face and exhausted eyes telling me how hard this was on her. I gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her face, feeling a pang of worry tugging at my chest.

"Akshi, baby, are you feeling any better now?" I asked softly, careful not to push, but desperate for her to feel some relief.

She nodded weakly, offering a small smile. "Yeah, just...a bit queasy still."

I sighed, my fingers brushing her hand reassuringly. Morning sickness wasn't supposed to linger this far into her pregnancy especially not now that she was in her second trimester. This wasn't normal, and I wasn't about to take any risks. I would consult her doctor to make sure everything was alright.

"Stay here, love. I'll get you some water, okay? Then, I'll call Dr. Vaidehi and check if we need to do something different for this stage."

"Thank you, Lucas," she murmured, looking up at me with a hint of relief in her eyes.

I leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll do whatever you need, Akshi," I whispered. "You and our baby are all that matters."

As I turned to leave, she reached out, clutching my hand gently. "I know we'll get through this," she said, her voice soft but steady.

I looked back, squeezing her hand gently. "We will," I promised, already feeling a bit lighter.

I dialled Dr. Vaidehi's number, still a little but tensed for akshita. As the phone rang, I felt a slight tension building in my chest. Finally, Dr. Vaidehi answered with her usual calm, assuring voice.

"Dr. Vaidehi," I began, "Akshita's been struggling with morning sickness, even though she's well into her second trimester. I wanted to check if there's something we should be concerned about."

The doctor's tone was calm as she replied, "Lucas, I understand your concerns. With Akshita's history and the high-risk nature of her pregnancy, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure both her and the baby's well-being."

I leaned back, listening intently.

"First," she continued, "while nausea can linger beyond the first trimester in some cases, it's essential to monitor her hydration and nutrition. Even mild dehydration or low caloric intake can add extra strain on her body. Encourage her to eat small, frequent meals, focusing on nutrient-dense, easily digestible foods."

I nodded, absorbing every word.

She went on, "Since Akshita has previous abdominal injuries, it's crucial to avoid heavy lifting, excessive movement, or anything that could strain her abdomen. I'd also recommend keeping her stress levels as low as possible. Emotional strain can affect both her health and the baby's."

I swallowed, reminded once again of just how delicate this situation was.

"Also, Lucas," she added, a slight firmness in her tone, "while I understand the excitement, avoid any extended standing or strenuous activities. Her body needs to reserve energy for a safe and smooth progression. And I'm only a call away if there are any unusual symptoms."