LOVES NOT IN HER DICTIONARY

DRUNKEN BUTTERFLIES

"He had a long night, was exhausted plus now completely overwhelmed. He began his consultation asking Jennifer of any other changes in her body apart from her new development.

"Madam Jane, do you by chance have any mark on your body recently obtained from or you noticed after the supposed ceremony, I could take a look at? "

"Nope!" She replied with a mono syllable.

"How about any funny or unusual feeling within your body?"

"None at all!"She exclaimed. "unless, you're insinuating my baby should be moving by now inside me."

"Well!" he began, a lengthy lecture on baby movements.."At about 8 weeks, spontaneous fetal movements like baby stretches, wiggles do occur noticable by your health care provider only at this period. Which is a sign that the baby's central nervous system is developing. However, at this point the baby is way too small for you the mother to feel anything. Considering the size of your baby and the position of the uterus as a first time mom, it is unlikely you would feel your baby now in opposition to a second or third time mother."

"Why?" She questioned curiously, which he continued to elaborate as Jenn listened attentively.

"This is because thier abdominal walls relaxes early allowing them to feel the movements earlier. There are also a few other reasons why an expectant mother may not feel the movements of her baby, thus; when the mother has extra weight as in fat. The position of the placenta could muffles the the sensation too. In addition to that some genetic conditions also delay the feeling of the movements. You should be able to feel your baby's first movements called 'Quickening ' between 16 and 25 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes at this moment morning sickness will also fades. Initially the first movements does not feel like a kick per say, they are soft kind of like lots of drunken butterflies fluttering in you. The subtle flutters eventually morph into bigger, heavier, more distinct movements around week 22. At about this week, the soft movements begin to feel like a karate kick , punch or scratch. With this much explained Madam Jane, I can confidently say; it is too early for you to feel the baby's movements now." He said re-enforcing.

"Although, the baby does moves but it is not at the size you could feel the sensation yet." Dr. Asare concluded. She was silent for a while in deep thought then asked.

"Why do babies even move at all? Why not be still in there eat and relax till they're born?"

"Babies stretch , flex and wiggle in parts to test out their developing neurological system." he answered her with an open platform to enquire more.

"Any questions that you'd want to ask before we proceed?" he probed in consideration of the worried look on her face.

" It's the thing about many drunken butterflies jumping around in my belly. Won't that be uncomfortable?" She says looking at her almost flat belly worriedly.

A smile crept on Doctor Asare's feature. He was a little bemused with the first time expecting mother. It was somewhat delightful to see that worried look on the face of a novice beginning expectant mother over a normal situation due to lack of experience. It never amazed him because he was used to it. Although, initially when he was a freshmen doctor? he'd scoff! because he thoughts it was silly. Every beginner must ask a question that seems silly but each and every query was crux, none was supposed to be down played. After he understood the rudiments of his responsibility? it was always a pleasure for him to take them through every step and explanation until the end.

"I can assure you it is nothing to be scared of. Infact it is a wonderful euphoric feeling. I say this not as someone who has experienced pregnancy." He clarified. "Obviously, I can't cause am a male, but as a physician, who's heard lots of confessions. You have nothing to worry about the butterflies. That was simply an expression I used to describe the sensations and it is not a bad feeling at all." He said doing his utmost best to convince her comfortably. "Until the baby begins to jump, twist and summersault it would feel more or less like a tickle said some expectant mothers." he comforted her.

"Ticklish! is not bad truly." she agreed with a calm expression. " But the jump, bump, twist and summersaults is what bothers me!" She complained.

"Just as the initial movements you would sense will make you ecstatic so will the later jump, bump, twist and summersault give you a sense of fulfilment and joy emotionally. You might or I dare say, even end up anticipating your baby's next move excited anxiously."

"Mmgh! interesting." She affirmed, processing the information she was receiving gently.

"So! Shall we go back to the main issue now?" He inquired.

"Sure!" She responded in a lighter contemplating mood.

"kk!" He answered knowing he was doing a good job. "How about any discomfort, be it within or without your body? " He sustained his probing in hope of finding something.

"I am feeling splendid Doc." She said energetically.

"How about your dietary process? Is there a progress, retrogression or abnormality? He questioned whiles explaining. " I am well aware the nurse documents every bit of detail but I want to know, if there are any changes since the drastic recovery."

"Never mind her taking records. I will tell you anyways. It has improved tremendously! I tried a whole lot of variety of foods out of prescription since yesterday?" she said it's skeptically observing Dr. Asare with the corner of eyes apologetically, like a child confessing a sin she was cautioned against but orchestrated it anyway. Exactly! the case though! "I must confess, I haven't enjoy or appreciated food this much before! "she replied enthusiastically. "You could confirm from the mame nurse." She suggested naming an ally alongside. " Everything tasted amazing." She continued passionately. " By the way, my nausea is also gone and I am aware it has nothing to do with baby growth nor movement. Kind courtesy you!" She stated mischievously. "sincerely speaking, my appetite has never been better than theirs since I left the hospital. "she added.

"Mmmgh!" he acknowledged her feedback throatily while taking notes. As he complimented her eating well, topping it up with a healthy tip. "It is a plus for you to have a great appetite in your condition now. However, you need to eat healthy for you and the babys sake. Your previous dietetic structure was based on your conditions deficiencies. It was meant to help digestion without stress on your organs, boost the level of nutrients you need for various reasons during this particular period of your life. Such as energy, rapid recovery, restoration of movement, most especially, growth of the fetus .. these are just to name but a few."

"Yes sir!" she saluted him tauntingly. "I think I may have eaten out of my instructed healthy as much as plenty too from yesterday till now." She confessed then hinted in ambivalence. " But I don't know if that could count for progress and, or abnormality though. Rest assured I will eat healthy from now onwards. "she then solemnized.

"I'd say you made progress, a baffling one at that! We going to have to observe your charts for a while I think, before we can determine that. Your zeal though, to work on a healthy diet even if it be what you crave or not? Is commendable. I hope you walk your talk; and not just talk the talk. It is paramount for you to have a healthy baby. "he drummed in.

"I will endeavor to walk my talk." She partially mimicked.

"Ok!" He responded trusting trusting her to keep her word or be coerced to by the nurse, as he moved on. "Is there a new development in your lifestyle lately? I mean your daily activities." he further enquired.

"Hhmm!" She sighed thoughtfully. "Compared to my recent restricted movement I was supposed to adhere to? I move a lot lately without any form of ache. I even do my chores around the house personally. Although, I have still yet to go to the office. The truth is I feel so energetic, it is impossible to stay quietly with my hands in my lap. "she answered sincerely.

"It is advisable to exercise as in, move around mindfully for a while daily in your condition until when it's your due date. That not withstanding, your health status was the prompt for the restrictions earlier. You were in a critical state then which called for drastic implementations, so it was necessary. This was done to keep you and the baby safe considering you almost lost it the last time. I understand if you want to continue the routine but I must caution you not to go over board. In all your movements consider you and the baby's safety first. As for the office, I would strongly suggest we still hold it off for now and continue your work from home till we are fully convinced your are safe to be out there.

"Ok! Dr."

" For now, due to the changes there will be a turn in your meds. "He informed her. "I will prescribe some folic acids including other vitamins for you to supplement all the laise nutrients you and the baby need to stay in great shape till you deliver. The daily checkups will unfortunately be more than it used to be; to keep up with the changes, I must notify.

Actually, it was supposed to be otherwise as things progressed in the positive direction. However, we can't over look your recovery process thus the added times of checks. It is for your own benefits. I sincerely apologize for the inconveniences, I hope you would cooperate with us, as you have done faithfully till now ... madam Jenn? He coerced smooth mentally and physically drained.

"There is no need for apologies." She comment courteously. "Anything I need to do to help. "She responded in the affirmative.

"Thanks! Very much madam Jenn. I will let the nurse know the necessary procedures to take for now. Before! I let you be? weird of caution; kindly rest a lot more also hydrate more.

"You're welcome. Will try." She said with a smile.

Finally, her was was done without conclusive evidence withal, he concluded by making a few notes in his notebook for reference then called it a day. He needed to go rejuvenate first and foremost then follow up his investigation later when his mind was refreshed to see if hopefully her would come upon something. He took the samples he needed from her then departed but not before he left even more strict orders to in credibility of the nurse.

"Make her check-up every 3hrs instead of 6hrs from nose onwards till further notice. Double check her vitals thoroughly, on time and let me know in case of any new development immediately. Make sure she takes her meds as well as the appropriate diets. Now you are to observe more closely than before. The restriction of her movement is no more, none the less! sheet should not over exert herself.

"Yes Dr." she responded but was shocked at having to know the turnout of events. Although, she understood the reason behind it, but she could not help but also contemplate. Others needed less care and attention when they were recuperating from illnesses. However, in this case? it turned out to be the complete opposite. Intensive care rather due to the strange manner in which the improvement in health came about. well, it was her job to give her uttermost best if she didn't want to fall in trouble. Also she was being paid generously for doing it. She loved her profession and had no complaints but would have also loved to have closure on the process of Jennifer's healing just for precautionary reasons.