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I felt my forehead wrinkle in disbelief I shook my head and protested “No, I won’t I won’t do it No!”

“Maddie,” she said, as she wrapped her fingers around my shoulders with a soft e for you and the hu to do for the fetus”

I know she didn’t mean it, but the way she said ‘fetus’ was as if my child, Grey’s baby, was almost like a tumor that had to co

“I said ‘no’! Didn’t you hear me?”

Sensing nation, Dr Simms released me and stepped back a bit She nodded and clasped her hands together in front of her body

“Look, I understand you’re upset” She shook her head and gestured towardsand otherwise healthy There’s no reason why you and your husband can’t try again”

The iciness in my veins turned to streaks of red hot panic as she spoke I ju my lower lip between my teeth I replied, “I’m, uh, I’m not married”

The doctor nodded as she stepped aside “Oh, all right Well, your boyfriend, significant other…”

Cutting her off, I said, “I don’t have one of those either”

Dr Simms remained silent for a moment and then cleared her throat

“I see”

“I’ up my baby, doctor I won’t,” I blurted out “I don’t care what you say I won’t let Grey’s… my baby… just be destroyed Never”

The doctor acknowledged ested she’d heard pleas like mine once or twice before

“Maddie, the baby is not the only one at risk in this scenario” She continued in a soleh you could dae your chances to have another child in the future Beyond that, as I already explained, the chance of survival is only fifty-fifty and even if it does, then…”

“Yes, I know, I know!” I screa I heard you!”

Almost as soon as the words spewed from my mouth, I shook my head

“I’m sorry, Dr Simms,” I said, as I exhaled “I… I shouldn’t have acted like that I’m sorry”

She shook her head as she looked at me in silence for a moment

“Maddie, as your doctor, it’s ive you the best advice I can Now under these circunancy”

I shook my head My resolve came fro she could tell e my mind

“No” I replied “I won’t do it I want you to explain exactly ill happen to me and the baby if I don’t”

Dr Simms thinned her lips at my refusal

“Uan “The likely outco frequency and intensity will increase There’s significant risk to your vital organs, especially your heart and kidneys and…”

“The baby, Doctor,” I interrupted “What about the baby?”

She nodded “As I said, there is a fifty percent chance, in practical terms, your baby could survive Of course that doesn’t speak to the financial burden of care you’ll be left with, which will be substantial A newborn with conditions such as these is, well…”

As to emphasize her point, she allowed her voice to trail away

“Okay,” I replied “What do I have to do? To give the baby the best chance I can to survive?”

“That’s sio this route, you’ll be on strict bed rest at a point in the very near future A matter of weeks, perhaps, if not sooner”