The weeks following your return to Seoul were filled with meetings with Prof. Cho to discuss and finalize your application as well as other administrative matters, late night studying because of the upcoming exams, working, and  of course, your doctor’s appointments.

You had asked Soojin to accompany you to your first doctor’s appointment because you didn’t want to be alone but now, she would volunteer to go with you whenever you had an appointment. The first two appointments consisted mostly of routine tests that you had to go through because you didn’t have a proper medical record in the database. You informed your doctor that you would be going to the LA to study during your second appointment and it just so happened that he had a gynaecologist friend over there and said that he could refer you to him if you wanted. You agreed, of course. It saved you the trouble of finding a trustworthy doctor on your own.

Soojin was currently accompanying you to your third appointment. You were scheduled to have your first ultrasound scan and were feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Soojin had tried her best to get you to calm down but even she couldn’t contain her excitement over being one of the first people to see your baby. She had been strangely enthusiastic about every development ever since she realized that you were going to keep the baby.

“Miss Lee ------.” The nurse called out. You and Soojin stood up and the nurse directed the both of you to a room. “Please lie down here. The doctor will be with you in a moment.” She instructed with a kind smile and left. You did as the nurse said and Soojin took a seat in the chair beside you.

The nurse returned a couple of minutes later with your doctor and you felt slightly better after seeing a face you recognised. You let out a breath you weren’t aware that you had been holding in. Your doctor gave you a warm smile. “It’s nice to see you again, Ms Lee. Has everything been well?”

“Yes, nothing out of the ordinary. I just tire more easily nowadays and I’m starting to have sudden intense cravings for certain foods.” You remembered when you suddenly felt like eating kimchi pancake in the middle of class and Soojin glared at you because you wouldn’t stop pestering her for it.

“That is all to be expected since you’re already 10 weeks on. Just make sure you get adequate rest and try to have balanced meals while satisfying your cravings as well.” He advised. “Anyway, like I mentioned on your previous appointment, the scan today will allow me to accurately work out how many weeks pregnant you are and then I can estimate your due date from there. Any questions before I begin?”

You shook your head and looked at Soojin, just in case she had any, but she mirrored your action. “Well alright then, would you please roll up your shirt to expose your stomach and your jeans.” You did as you were told although you felt slightly self-conscious. The nurse helped you pull the top of your jeans a little lower before she tucked a protective sheet into the top of your jeans, letting the rest cover the front of your jeans.

“This will feel slightly cold.” Your doctor warned before he squirted some clear gel onto your lower abdomen. The gel was uncomfortably cold when it first hit your skin but you quickly got used to it. The doctor pressed the ultrasound transducer into the gel and moved it around. “That’s your baby.” He pointed to a bean-shaped grey blob on the screen.  The image was very blurry but your eyes were transfixed on what was on the screen. You didn’t have to look at Soojin to know that she was fascinated too.

“Would you like to hear your baby’s heartbeat?” It really wasn’t a question because he just turned up the volume before you could respond. You heard the faint thumping of a heart fill the room.

“Is it normal for the heartbeat to be so quick?” The thumping seemed rather rushed to your ears.

“Yes. It’s quite normal since for a 10-week old fetus to have a very high heart rate. You don’t have to worry about it. In any case, I’ve determined that your baby is indeed 10 weeks old, so your expected due date is October 12^th.” He informed you as he placed the transducer down and cleaned the gel off your skin. The nurse removed the protective sheet and you straightened out your clothes before pulling yourself into a sitting position.

“So, this is your last appointment with me, yes?” You nodded. “Be sure to keep yourself hydrated during your flight and bring some snacks and sweets along in case you feel hungry or nauseous. I will forward all your medical records to Dr. Reed. He is already expecting you in five weeks time but if you have any questions or if you don’t feel well when you’re over there, please don’t hesitate to go to him alright?” You nodded again. He handed you a picture. “Here you go. It’s an ultrasound picture of your baby for keepsake. Take care.” He gave you a warm smile.

“I will. Thank you for everything.” You returned his smile before you left the room with Soojin.

“Oh my goodness. I still cannot believe what happened in there. It was so amazing!” Soojin exclaimed the moment the both of you sat down at the waiting area again.

You couldn’t stop the silly smile that formed on your face. “I know. I can’t believe I heard my baby’s heartbeat!” Your baby was growing healthily every day and she was all yours. You couldn’t have felt happier at this moment.