Chapter 134 Prenatal Checkups

The two went downstairs hand in hand.

In the living room, Aunt Wu had already set out breakfast: white porridge, boiled eggs, several small dishes of side dishes, and steamed buns made from two kinds of flour.

To Nan Zhiyi's surprise, Commander Gu was also sitting at the dining table reading the newspaper, instead of going to the military region early as usual.

"Dad," Gu Xiao called out.

"Good morning, Dad," Nan Zhiyi greeted softly.

Commander Gu put down his newspaper and gave a soft "hmm" in response.

Gu Xiao peeled a hard-boiled egg, put it on the plate in front of Nan Zhiyi, and said to Commander Gu, "Dad, I'll take Zhiyi to the hospital for a check-up later."

Commander Gu paused, his hand still holding the bowl of porridge. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

“No, Dad,” Nan Zhiyi quickly explained, “It’s just… the baby was moving a lot this morning, and Gu Xiao… was a little worried.”

Gu Xiao added from the side: "Routine check."

Commander Gu said, "We should go and take a look. Find Director Zhang from the obstetrics and gynecology department; she's experienced and reliable. Take my car; it'll be safer."

"Yes," Gu Xiao replied. His father's car was a military jeep, which had good performance and better shock absorption than ordinary cars, making it more suitable for pregnant women.

Hearing this, Aunt Wu quickly added, "Yes, yes, it's good to ride in the Commander's car! Zhiyi, wear more clothes, it's still a bit chilly."

After breakfast, Gu Xiao helped Nan Zhiyi into the passenger seat.

Wu Ma chased after her again and handed Nan Zhiyi a cloth bag containing a military water bottle and snacks wrapped in oil paper, so she could have something to eat on the way if she got hungry.

Nan Zhiyi waved to Wu Ma, and Gu Xiao started the car and drove towards the military hospital.

We arrived at the entrance of the military region's general hospital.

Gu Xiao got out of the car first, went around to the other side, opened the car door, and carefully helped Nan Zhiyi out while holding onto the roof with one hand.

"Slow down." His voice was low and steady.

"Mm," Nan Zhiyi replied, using his strength to steady herself.

Her belly was bigger than when she last came, and she was indeed a bit clumsy in her movements.

Gu Xiao's hand naturally landed on her lower back, supporting her steadily, and the two walked into the outpatient building side by side.

Military hospitals have priority access for military families, and given Gu Xiao's status and relationship with Commander Gu, the process is even smoother.

Not long after, the two entered the consultation room.

"Commander Gu, Comrade Xiao Nan has arrived."

Director Zhang looked up from the medical record, adjusted his glasses, and asked with a serious expression, "Why did you only come for a prenatal checkup at seven months?"

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao were both somewhat surprised: "Isn't it only been a little over six months?"

Director Zhang sighed, "You young people, pregnancy is calculated based on the last menstrual period. Even if your periods are irregular, based on the time you had intercourse during your pregnancy, you should be considered to be 7 months along, which is more than 28 weeks."

Nan Zhiyi felt a little embarrassed. She didn't know anything about it and thought that as long as she didn't experience morning sickness, she didn't need to come to the hospital...

Gu Xiao apologized: "I didn't consider that. Doctor, could you please take a look? Her belly... the baby's movements... are very strong. Could this be bad for her health?"

“Strong fetal movement is a good thing,” Director Zhang said casually, not paying much attention to this small matter. “Come on, Comrade Xiao Nan, lie down inside.”

Nan Zhiyi followed Director Zhang behind the screen, while Gu Xiao stood outside, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating...

Director Zhang began abdominal palpation, pressing, sliding, and measuring on Nan Zhiyi's belly.

"Fundamental height... Hmm, consistent with the gestational age. The baby's position is also good, head down."

She put on her stethoscope and listened carefully to the fetal heartbeat.

"Very good, around 140 beats per minute, very standard."

...

When Nan Zhiyi came out from behind the screen, Gu Xiao immediately reached out to help her.

He asked again, "Director Zhang, that really looks like...like he kicked her. Is that really...normal? Could it hurt her?"

Director Zhang couldn't help but laugh when he saw Gu Xiao's furrowed brows.

"Commander Gu, you're just being overly concerned. Strong fetal movements mean the baby is developing well and is quite energetic! As long as there isn't a sudden and dramatic increase or decrease in movement, or if it's accompanied by abdominal pain or bleeding, it's perfectly normal. This means it's a lively little one. Comrade Xiao Nan, are you in pain?"

Nan Zhiyi quickly shook her head: "It doesn't hurt, Director Zhang, it's just that the feeling is very obvious."

"Look, the person in question says it doesn't hurt anymore," Director Zhang said to Gu Xiao with a smile. "The ultrasound results were good last time, so let's do another one this time to check on her development. Commander Gu, why don't you go with her? It's in the building next door."

Gu Xiao helped Nan Zhiyi into the ultrasound clinic, a place she knew exactly where to go.

The ultrasound room was dimly lit, and the examination process was similar to the last time.

Nan Zhiyi lay on the examination bed, lifted her clothes to reveal her round belly.

Gu Xiao stood by the bed, holding her hand, his eyes fixed on the screen, watching intently.

The screen flickered with blurry light and shadow, and the female doctor occasionally pointed: "Look, this is the forearm... the leg is here..."

After the ultrasound, the two returned to the examination room with the blurry ultrasound report. Nan Zhiyi's heart was beating a little fast.

Gu Xiao handed the form to Director Zhang.

Director Zhang examined it carefully against the light.

"The baby is developing very well, the size is within the gestational age range, and the position is correct." She put down the form and looked at the two of them. "All indicators are good, Comrade Xiao Nan, Commander Gu, you can rest assured."

Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief.

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Director Zhang, could you... tell me if it's a boy or a girl? So we can prepare the clothes..."

Director Zhang glanced at her, then at Gu Xiao.

"Comrade Xiao Nan, boys and girls are all treasures, they grow up wearing hand-me-downs."

Nan Zhiyi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded shyly, "Yes, you're right." She had been presumptuous.

Gu Xiao asked the question that concerned him most: "Director, how is my wife's health?"

“Your health is good, and the baby is doing well, but you still need to make sure your nutrition keeps up. You're too thin, it's a heavy burden. Make sure you take your calcium supplements on time.” She looked at Nan Zhiyi, then turned to Gu Xiao, “Commander Gu, your husband's health is generally good, but…”

"The ultrasound shows the fetus is 28-29 weeks pregnant. There are some things you need to be extra careful about. Sexual intercourse is absolutely prohibited, understand? You can't just do whatever you want; you have to be responsible for the safety of both the mother and the child."

......

The consultation room fell silent.

Nan Zhiyi felt a surge of heat rush from the base of her neck to the top of her head, and her cheeks burned intensely.

This topic came up so suddenly.

Gu Xiao also stiffened for a moment, a rare occurrence, and his ears flushed slightly. He wanted to explain, but swallowed the words back.

"...Understood. Thank you, Director."

Director Zhang gave a few more instructions, prescribed some calcium tablets and prenatal vitamins, and handed Gu Xiao the medical record and a prescription. "There's nothing seriously wrong. Remember, you must have your prenatal checkup on time next month."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

Gu Xiao carefully helped Nan Zhiyi up and escorted her outside.