Chapter 209 - A Ray Of Hope

The doctor was a stern woman in her fifties and she was known to be a specialist for pregnancy where mothers had suffered organ damage due to any reasons. But Ah Hai had decided to put his faith in the doctor because Dr Mao had a longer experience and he had studied some of her cases of the past.. The Doctor straight-up led Shi Ai for a check up as soon as they entered. After a few minutes, the doctor continued to check her and make some observations causing Shi Ai to almost explode in nervousness. It was only later that the doctor finally nodded and guided Shi Ai back to the chair. The moment Shi Ai was back in her chair.her hand was gripped by Ah Hai whose own hand was ice cold. It was a gesture of comfort and support to both of them. Eventually the doctor looked up from the blood reports that had been delivered to her and spoke in a calm voice,"First of all Mr And Mes Long,I would like to congratulate you on your pregnancy. Now, I understand that Mrs Long has had a history of cardiac problems so this pregnancy is full of risks and both of you must have countless questions, which I will answer after I have finished my explanation."

Now, as I understand,this pregnancy seems quite dangerous because of your heart problem. But from what I see other than the recent exhertions, your other tests have always come back healthy. Have you been in some sort of stress recently?"

Shi Ai thought of the harrowing time she had spent in the hospital missing and worrying over her man and slowly nodded her head at the doctor. The doctor made a note in her journal and continued,"From now on, that is a big No. I mean it whether it is emotional or physical, you will not stress yourself. Not even thinking about your baby and the risks behind this pregnancy. So I suggest complete rest. Usually in the early stages of pregnancy I call my patients every two weeks for regular check but you will be visiting me every week. My dietician will pass on a list of healthy foods that can be eaten and you will be prescribed some folic acid and iron medicine.

Now, I gave a piece of good news to give you. Have you heard of the term fetomaternal microchimerism?"

The somber doctor had suddenly turned lively as she expected the couple to light up at this term but Ah Hai and Shi Aincontinued to sit there with a blank expression. Ah Hai who had been dreading this discussion felt a wave of confusion. What good news and what was this phenomenon that had the doctor so excited?

Seeing their blank expressions, the doctor sighed and explained, " Alright.let me clarify this to you in the layman language, when a woman is pregnant the stem cells help in the fetus development stage. Basically it helps with tissue development. The idea of fetomaternal microchimerism is that when the mother is pregnant the fetus 'sends' these cells into the mother for repairing organs. A stem cell is like a blank slate so it can turn into tissue so when this phenomena takes place the fetal micro chimeric cells (fmcs) engraft themselves into the mother's bone marrow and are able to migrate through the circulation to reach tissues. So basically what I am saying is that you may have a weak heart and no it won't be miraculously cured but the child inside you is also going to do it's best to help you bring it into this world. Your heart may be risky but it will not pose a very big threat to this pregnancy. We will be consisting regular tests to detect the fmcs also. And now you can ask me anything you are unclear on."

The doctor looked expectantly at the two people who continued to sit there like statues. When there was no action from the two people, she leaned back and enjoyed the blank stare of the couple. They were cute she decided sitting there with such shell shocked expressions. That is why she loved her occupation, for moments like these.

Only a while later did Ah Hai seem to get his mind back and he asked with a frown,"Why did no other doctor explain this to us? Is this some sort of a joke? Or some unexplained theory that you are using to placate us?"

Dr Mao decided not to be offended at Long Ah Hai's unbelieving and accusatory tone. She understood that it must be difficult to believe so she calmly explained,"No Mr Long, this theory has been in existence for a few decades now and many researchers have studied it. But most doctors do not take this very seriously because like you said it sounds unbelievable. But, Mr Long, nature is wonderful and works in mysterious ways. And science can only study it's many facets. Please believe that Mrs Long is going to have a beautiful pregnancy."

Relief and happiness courses through Ah Hai's blood stream as he accepted and acknowledged this new information. What followed were a hundred questions that the doctor patiently answered and finally Ah Hai had managed to get not just every piece of information about this but he even had names of journals and research institutes that were involved in this theory.

As if the dark clouds hanging over them had suddenly been cleared away, the dark and grey weather when they arrived was also cleared with bright sunshine. As soon as they had stepped kit of the doctor's clinic, Shi Ai found herself in her husband's arms as he picked her up bridal stale and twirled around in joy. Shi Ai cherished this moment thinking that this was how he should have been able to react to the news if she was normal and not ridden with a faulty heart. The threat hanging over them was finally a bit further away.