Chapter 12: What He Doesn’t Know
Cassidy slowly pulled her shirt back down over her stomach, her fingers trembling slightly. The cool gel had been wiped away, but the echo of that tiny heartbeat still pulsed in her ears.
She sat up, trying to collect herself. But the whirlwind inside her wouldn’t stop, relief, fear, awe... and something softer, more fragile. Love? Already?
Dr. Rosenthal finished noting something in the chart before turning to face her. "The baby’s heartbeat is strong," she said with a gentle smile. "Everything looks healthy for eight weeks."
Cassidy nodded, unable to form words. Her throat felt tight.
"I know this might be overwhelming," the doctor continued, her tone kind. "Especially if the pregnancy wasn’t something you expected. But you’re doing okay so far. Still, I want to remind you of a few important things."
Cassidy looked up, eyes glassy. "Like what?"
"Well," Dr. Rosenthal began, "the first trimester is a delicate phase. It’s when the risk of miscarriage is highest. That’s why we recommend avoiding high stress, getting enough rest, and eating balanced, nutritious meals."
Cassidy lowered her gaze, her mind already racing through the past few days. Skipped meals, sleepless nights, too many cups of coffee.
Dr. Rosenthal stood up and walked over to her desk, scribbling something on a prescription pad. "I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins," she said, tearing off the sheet and handing it to Cassidy. "It contains folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA. Everything your baby needs during these early stages."
Cassidy took the slip of paper, staring at it for a moment as if it carried more weight than it should. In a way, it did. It was a quiet symbol of commitment, of the life now growing inside her.
"You’ll want to start taking one tablet daily," the doctor continued. "Preferably with food, since the iron can sometimes upset your stomach on an empty one."