“Well, as I told you last time you were here, the only thing that can diagnose with 100% certainty is the amniocentesis,” Bradford says gently. “But we can take a look, see what has changed, check on how baby’s growing.” Spencer nods, holding on tight to Jack’s hand, moving in closer. Allison steps back and pulls over the ultrasound machine. “Lift your shirt up for me, please,” She requests, tucking a paper towel around the waist line of Karen’s pants before squeezing the ultrasound gel onto her stomach. Spencer knows, logistically, it’s easier for Bradford to have the screen facing her, until she gets a clear picture. But not seeing, not knowing, makes him more anxious. She moves the doppler around, and then nods a bit to herself, hitting a button. “Alright…biologically, at least, baby is still female, I can confirm that,” She says, and then turns the screen to face them. “And here she is, nice profile shot. Moving over here, to the legs, when I put the measuring scale on them, they are measuring on track for a fetus at this gestational age, compared to last time when they were small,” She tells them. Pushing a button and moving the doppler again, she points at the screen. “This is her heart. All ventricles, all structures are operating as normal, and there are…no bright spots visible,” Bradford says, and Spencer lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “And her kidneys?” He asks, looking at the other doctor. She moves the doppler again, lifting it up and pressing it down. “There’s still excess fluid on her kidneys,” she tells them.Â
Jack sighs a little. It might not mean anything, he thinks but it might. Another sigh leaves his lips as he wonders if he shouldn’t just start reading up on Down’s a little more. It probably wouldn’t hurt regardless of how much he’d avoided it. Jack didn’t think it was a bad thing to do. He felt like he may as well prepare himself.Â
