The Montana Doctor's Bride (New Brides of Montana) by Susan Leigh Carlton

sickness.
     
    “I wish there was something I could do to help, but I have never heard of anything that works.”
     
    “I didn’t have a hint of it with Carter,” she said. 
 
    “Maybe it’s the stress of being around me?  If so, too bad, because I’m not leaving,” he said.
     
    “This too will pass,” she laughed.  “I don’t remember who said it.  I just wish it would hurry.”  One more bout ensued and things were back to normal.
     
    The wife of a doctor has the advantage of readily medical care, and Carter monitored Elizabeth’s condition regularly.  It can be a disadvantage if her husband is overly zealous in her care.  Carter was over zeakous, even though he detected no abnormalities in her person, or in the baby. 
     
    * * *
     
    Little Carter had safely navigated his way through the terrible twos and enjoyed the free run of the house, with the exception of the patient examining area.  Elizabeth had baby proofed the house in so far as was possible.  He was an inquisitive child and investigated everything. 
     
    Elizabeth first felt the baby move in the middle of her fifth month.  The baby was visible now and one morning, they had brought Carter into their bed.  “Mama is going to have a baby,” she said.
     
    “Why,” he asked.  His father stifled a laugh.
     
    “Well,” she began, “You have been such a good little boy, your papa and I decided we would like to have another.  What do you think about that?’
     
    “Where will we get it?” he asked.
     
    “It’s growing in my tummy, just like you did.”  She rubbed the outline of the baby and said, “It’s in here.”  She took his hand and placed it on her belly as the baby moved.  “Did you feel that?” she asked as the baby moved. 
     
    He nodded.  There was more movement.  “I feeled it again,” he said.  A serious look flashed across his face.  “How will the baby get out?”
     
    “When it grows big enough, Papa will take it out,” she said.
     
    “How?”
     
    “He’s a doctor, and he has a special way to get it out.  Do you remember Travis Jamison?  Papa helped Mrs. Jamison get him out.”
     
    “Oh,” he said.  “Okay.”
     

Chapter 19:  A Problem
    Eight months and counting…
     
    “I’m spotting blood,” Elizabeth said one morning.
     
    “ Have you noticed this before?  Is it light or heavy? By heavy, I mean a lot.”
     
    “Yes, it’s the first time I noticed it, and it is light.  What do you think it means?” she asked.
     
    “I don’t know.  I’ll examine you and see if I can find anything.”
     
    After a thorough examination, Carter put his stethoscope down, shook his head and said, “I don’t see or hear anything wrong.  We will keep a close eye on it.  For now, I’m going to say no lifting, that means you shouldn’t pick Carter up.  If it continues, then it will be complete bed rest.  A C-section would be a last resort.  I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
     
    The spotting continued.  Complete bed rest was prescribed.  After a week in bed, Elizabeth did not notice additional blood. 
     
    “I’ve been thinking about something and would like your opinion.  You’ve met Maude, the Jamison’s housekeeper.  She’s also a midwife.  What do you think about getting to her stay here just in case I’m out when you start labor, and then for a week or so after that?” he asked.
     
    “Do you think it’s necessary?” she asked.
     
    “It’s not necessary, but it would be nice to have her here, in case you go into labor and I’m away from home.  And she would be a big help afterwards.”
     
    “That is so like you to think of something like that.  Do you want to ask about it or would you like for me to?” he asked.
     
    “We’re having dinner with them this weekend.  Why don’t we do it then?”
     
    The Lazy J Ranch…
     
    “Carrie, I may be having a problem.  Carter and I wonder if it would be possible for us to borrow Maude to stay with us