"We only found out during lunch today. People were whispering, and it turns out it's all about this."
"It seems that soon the journalists will be looking for the truth. And I think Adaline shouldn't go to the office for a while, especially since her condition doesn't allow it," Tessa glanced at her friend. Her face was slightly flushed after finishing her warm sweet tea.
Delila nodded. She reached for her phone again and called Antony. "Yes, Adaline is at home."
"..."
"It's okay, Antony. I understand. But please, Adaline might not be able to work for a few days ahead. For more details, I'll consult with her obstetrician first."
"..."
"Yes, thank you, dear."
"..."
She hung up the phone. Delila stroked Adaline's forehead again. "The doctor will come shortly. You eat first, okay?" she asked gently.
Adaline just nodded faintly. She didn't even have the energy to speak.
Adaline could only manage to put three spoonfuls of food into her mouth. But even that was an improvement.
The doctor arrived shortly afterward. She was a doctor Adaline knew, her husband's high school friend. The woman whom Altezza consulted for her pregnancy program before. She was also the doctor Adaline chose as her obstetrician.
"Auntie," she greeted as the housemaid escorted her to the room Adaline occupied.
"Stefanie, thank you for coming," Mrs. Delila welcomed her.
"You're welcome, Auntie." The woman approached Adaline. "Ada, how are you feeling right now?" she asked, reaching for Adaline's hand and feeling her wrist.
As doctors typically do, Stefanie checked her blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. She also palpated her abdomen and examined Adaline's belly with the device she brought. The rumbling sound from the device echoed quite loudly in the spacious room.
"How many hours did you sleep last night?" Stefanie asked after putting back her equipment into her large black bag.
Adaline stared at her. "Three hours," she replied more like a murmur. Stefanie nodded.
"Have you eaten the prescription I gave you yesterday?" Adaline nodded. "I'll administer an IV drip. I'll put in medication so you can sleep. After that, I'm sure your body will feel fresh again." Adaline just nodded her head slowly.
Stefanie reached for the IV drip from her doctor's bag, searching for a suitable place to hang it. Luckily, there was a clothes hanger in the corner of the room. She hung it there.
"This is not harmful, Auntie. Its contents are a replacement for Adaline's body fluids so she doesn't feel too weak. Once this fluid is used up, the IV drip can be removed directly. I'll let you know how to remove it later," Stefanie continued. Delila simply nodded.
Stefanie attached the IV needle to Adaline's right hand. Then she injected a liquid into the IV tube. After that, she wrote a prescription.
"Don't consume the vitamins from yesterday anymore. Replace them with these." Stefanie handed the sheet to Delila, then looked at Adaline, who seemed to be getting drowsy. "Remember to rest a lot. Sleep if you're sleepy. And most importantly, eat properly and don't stress too much." She commanded, which was answered by Adaline's slow nod. Soon Adaline fell asleep.
Delila, Tessa, and Stefanie left Adaline's room without closing the door. They walked to the living room.
"I've read the article, and I'm quite shocked," Stefanie said as they sat down. "It's not my place to comment, but as Adaline's doctor, I think this is serious.
"The mental impact of something like this is very serious, Auntie. Especially since a pregnant woman's emotions are different from those of an ordinary woman. And for Adaline's condition itself, this is quite worrying. Because even without burdens like this, her physical condition is already quite weak," Stefanie explained.
Tessa looked at the doctor seriously. "What's happening with Adaline, Doctor?" she asked, concerned.
"Adaline already has a history of anemia before pregnancy. And when pregnant, especially with a twin pregnancy, her condition can be said to worsen," Stefanie answered.
"For women without a history of anemia, it can still be difficult at times. Especially with a previous history. Such a situation is very worrying, especially when approaching the childbirth process."
Tessa recalled, before marriage, Adaline would easily get tired. Her face often looked pale, although it never reached the point of fainting.
"I'm sorry to say this, but it's better to be prepared for the future. And I've mentioned this to Adaline before. The risks of Adaline's pregnancy are considered quite serious. There's no problem with the baby. Its development is normal. The issue lies with Adaline.
"I've explained all the possibilities to Adaline. Not to scare her, but to make her more aware. Her current condition can have a negative effect on her. Including the possibility of Postpartum Depression.
"Indeed, this is still a possibility. But if during pregnancy Adaline feels stressed and anemia persists, such a situation could occur."
"Is that like Baby Blues?"
Stefanie shook her head. Baby blues and Postpartum Depression are different. Baby blues can recover within two weeks after giving birth, especially if the people around provide mental support. Baby blues might not even happen.
"But Postpartum Depression is even more dangerous. In its worst case scenario, patients experiencing this kind of depression always think about ending their lives.
"But that's just the worst-case scenario. I hope Adaline doesn't experience it. So here, family support is very much needed for her mental recovery.
"And besides that, there's also the possibility of bleeding after giving birth. We also need to be prepared for the possibility of the baby she's carrying being born prematurely."
Tessa paled, and Delila shed tears.
"Besides, I'm still observing Adaline's condition. Is it possible for her to have a normal delivery? Because I recommended to her to consider a cesarean section during childbirth.
"But Adaline insists on refusing it. Despite all the possibilities I mentioned earlier," she continued. "I don't want to scare anyone, I just want everyone to know Adaline's condition so they can help during her pregnancy and delivery."
Once again, Delila and Tessa simply nodded. Delila reached for Stefanie's hand and squeezed it.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Stefanie cupped the back of the middle-aged woman's hand. "It's my duty, Auntie. On the other hand, as Altezza's friend, I want the best for them. And honestly, I'm very impressed with your daughter-in-law. She's a strong and resilient woman. I believe she'll be okay," Stefanie said, and Delila nodded in agreement.
Stefanie then stood up. "It's not that I'm not comfortable, but I have an afternoon shift duty," she said again. "If anything happens, Auntie, just call my cell phone. And don't forget the prescription," she reminded.
Delila nodded again. When the middle-aged woman offered to escort her, Stefanie declined.
Delila sat back on the sofa. Tessa just looked at her. The woman cried silently. After a moment, she looked up and glanced at Tessa, then smiled.
"Thank you, I don't know what would happen if it weren't for you," she said, reaching out her hand. Tessa took it and held it.
"Adaline is my friend, and I already consider her like my own sister," Tessa said sincerely, which was met with Delila's nod.
"Thank you again," Delila said as she wiped away the remaining tears from the corner of her eyes.