The Wait Is Over

Hoping For The Best

Yael was having breakfast when she got a call from Dr. Fleet.

Sara: Yael, can you come in this morning? After going over your chart again, I noticed some problems. I'd like to run a few tests to see what might be causing the slowdown in Deborah's growth.

Yael: Sure.

Sara: You might want to bring someone with you or have someone meet you at the hospital, because depending on the results, we could possibly have to admit you for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Yael: OK. I'll contact my backup caregiver as Steph is off at National Team camp in Cleveland.

Sara: See you when you get here.

Yael hung up and called Clare Herdman to ask her to pick her up. Clare called Julie King and told her that Yael was going to the hospital for some tests. Julie said that she would meet them at the hospital. After ending the call, Clare texted John with the news about Yael.

***

Yael, Clare, and Julie waited in an examination room for Sara to come in with the results.

Sara: Yael, the results are in. I'm afraid it's not good news. We found some abnormalities in the amniotic fluid that indicate that the fetus is not receiving enough nutrition. We also checked on your metabolic rate and found that you're burning off calories that need to stay on you in order to feed the baby. The dietary changes aren't going to be enough to turn this around. As much as I want to tell you to gorge yourself, that by itself won't work. I am putting you on restriction until your next appointment. No training, no exercise, no undue stress. We need to get her to 34 weeks before we can consider inducing. That would correspond with your visit on October 21st.

Yael: Can I still be at training or games? Will I be able to attend Sam and Abby's wedding and the NWSL final?

Sara: We'll take that last part up on the 7th. In the meantime, go home and be unproductive.

Sara left the room and the three women talked.

Clare: That's a pretty big blow there.

Yael: Yeah. I'll have to tell Steph somehow since I can't sit on this information until she gets back on the 28th.

Julie: Do you mind if I drop one of our teammates a note so they sort of know to watch out for her?

Yael: Of the lot, I'd prefer you tip off Alyssa instead of either Chappie or Jessie. I just think she'll have a bit more understanding when it comes to this and you and her can actually commiserate on how to keep her at peace until I call.

Julie: OK. Anyone around here that you want to help keep an eye on you?

Yael: Can't think of anyone.

Julie: I'll just handle it by word of mouth, then.

The three left the hospital and went to their cars. Clare drove Yael home while Julie went to the Breakers' practice facility.

***

At the end of afternoon training, Steph asked Shelina, Jessie, and Becca to stick around and help her on penalty kicks. Each were to take ten on her in turn for a total of 30 shots faced. Shelina scored on 4 of her attempts, Jessie on 2, but Becca made her first 6 and ended up with 7/10. Becca ribbed her roommate over her poor performance against her club teammate, while Steph gave Becca some excuse about how she had an advantage in taking shots because she used to date a goalkeeper in college and her first couple of years in the pros. EJ texted Becca to tell her about Yael's testing and that she should try to keep Steph occupied or distracted until she called her later. Becca shared the info with Shelina and they decided not to leave her alone for the evening. Alyssa popped Steph a text wondering if she wanted to meet up for dinner when she got back to the hotel. Steph began to get a little bit suspicious at all of the attention being paid her by the others, but knew it was probably because they were concerned that she would begin having racing thoughts about Yael and her condition, which could lead into an anxiety attack if not controlled.

***

Wednesday nights are always the loosest in camp, where the players engage in attempting to embarrass one another through games such as Truth or Dare, Never Have I Ever, and ABC. With both the US and Canada staying in the same hotel and a number of their players cross-pollinating in NWSL, the groups were a bit more diverse normally. Knowing that a quiet night was something that Steph would need as the news from home would cause her some tension, Alyssa invited her and Shelina, along with Sam and Abby, to her and Katelyn's room. After talking a bit about the wedding and the various NWSL contingents boasting their teams' credentials for winning the title on the 15th, Steph's phone went off.

Steph: Hi, darling. How was your day?

Yael: Not good. Sara called me this morning and asked me to come in for some testing.

Steph: Everything OK?

Yael: Actually, no. My amniotic fluid showed signs of Deb not receiving enough nutrients. She has put me on restriction until we see her on the 7th, hoping that I will fatten up a bit so that our girl can start growing again. She also talked about possibly inducing after we would return from Chicago, but I'm not sure yet if I'll be cleared to go.

Steph: Can you put your phone to your belly? I'd like to say a few things to our daughter.

Yael did as Steph asked.

Steph: Hi baby girl! I know that you're struggling, but your mommy and I want you to fight and make it. We'll do our best to help you and I can't wait to see you when I get home.

Yael giggled a little at Steph's impromptu pep talk, knowing that she meant it as much for her as she did for the baby.

Yael: Are you alone?

Steph: No. I'm in Alyssa and Katelyn's room with Shelina, Sam, and Abby.

Yael: Good. I know that you want to be here, but I have Clare, Julie, EJ, and Sarah keeping tabs on me.

Steph: I'll talk to Rhian before I go back to my room to tell her about what's happening.

Yael: OK. I'll let you get back to your peeps. Miss me. Love me.

Steph: I will, I do, and you do the same, my love.

Steph hung up her call and looked at the other five in the room.

Alyssa: That was Yael, I am guessing. Julie told me this was coming. Is it bad?

Steph: Deb is in trouble. Our obstetrician ran some tests this morning and found that she's not getting enough food from Yael to grow as she should. Yael is being put on restricted activity for the next couple of weeks to see if they can reverse the situation by having her not burn off what she takes in.

Abby: I'm so sorry, Steph. I can only imagine what she's going through.

Steph: Thanks, Abby. I have no real clue as to what is happening, but I know that sitting here isn't going to remedy things. I'm going to talk to Rhian about getting released after Saturday's game so I can be home with her. She told me Clare, Julie, EJ, and Sarah were keeping an eye on her. She also said they might have to induce labor just after our return from Chicago if things don't improve. Speaking of that, she might not be cleared to fly for the final and the wedding.

Sam: We can find a way to work around that. Her health and that of your daughter are far more important. I'll talk to Kristie about a Plan B in case she's unable to be there.

Katelyn: I know I heard a bit about this on Monday night when Alyssa and I came by your room, but I am hoping everything resolves itself and that you and her have a healthy baby when she finally arrives.

Steph went over and hugged both goalkeepers before coming back and reclining against Shelina, with Sam and Abby offering support.

Shelina: Maybe we should head back so you can see Rhian and square away your departure from camp when we head to Hamilton.

Steph and Shelina left and went to see Rhian and Carm. Steph told them what was happening back home and they agreed to let her leave following the game on Saturday, saying that they had already planned on releasing her and other playoff-involved players after that match. The two coaches and close friends of Steph's gave her comforting hugs and words of encouragement as she left with her roommate.