LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 9 - Relationships, Just Ordinary?!
Chapter 9: Relationships, Just Ordinary?!
“Mr. Lu, can we meet tonight?” Lu Ming had just changed his attire and was preparing for work when he received a message from Tang Xiaorou. The message included a photo of her legs in black stockings.
Lu Ming was shocked.
Why is she sending him such suggestive pictures?
He promptly replied, “I can’t make any promises. Let’s consider meeting later this afternoon.”
He refrained from making commitments because he couldn’t predict if he’d face an abrupt surge of critical cases.
“Dr. Lu, the patient in bed 18’s amniotic fluid has broken,” a nurse informed Lu Ming as he exited the dressing room.
“The amniotic fluid has broken?” Lu Ming squinted. He recollected the patient in bed 18 – a high-risk pregnant woman with a breech-positioned baby and advanced maternal age of 37.
According to her medical records, doctors had recommended terminating the pregnancy due to its risks to her life. Nonetheless, she chose to continue following medical advice throughout her pregnancy. But the high-risk scenario couldn’t be avoided.
“What’s her cervical dilation status? Has she dilated completely?” Lu Ming inquired.
The nurse hesitated briefly and responded, “No cervical dilation.”
Lu Ming massaged his temples. The worst-case scenario had unfolded.
Typically, cervical dilation occurs before a pregnant woman’s water breaks. Cervical dilation is a vital step in the labor process. In labor, uterine contractions cause the cervix to dilate upward and outward. This dilation allows a full-term baby to pass through the uterus during delivery. The increased tension on the amniotic sac results in the rupture of the membranes, commonly known as “water breaking.” Typically, cervical dilation precedes this. If the cervix hasn’t dilated, but the water has leaked, it’s termed “premature rupture of membranes.” This condition can lead to irregular contractions and poor cervical dilation, making natural delivery challenging.
Given the pregnant woman’s history and condition, if her membranes have ruptured prematurely, it’s highly likely her cervix won’t dilate correctly, especially considering the breech position of the baby.
Lu Ming was prepared for a cesarean section. He instructed, “Contact the patient’s family to obtain informed consent for the surgery to prevent any disputes that might delay the procedure. Also, locate Dr. Li from the obstetrics department.”
Lu Ming, with his extensive surgical experience, had encountered cases where families hesitated to consent to a cesarean section, often due to traditional beliefs favoring natural childbirth. These decisions sometimes overlooked the potential risks, including fetal distress, oxygen deprivation, brain damage, or stillbirth due to prolonged labor. The mother’s life could also be at risk in such situations.
When a doctor recommended a cesarean section, it was crucial to provide consent promptly. The time saved could be the difference between survival for both the mother and the child. Families with pregnant women should discuss and agree on this matter well in advance of childbirth.
Shortly after, Dr. Li, the head of the obstetrics department, arrived with several attending physicians to assist with the surgery.
Lu Ming said, “Dr. Li, would you kindly perform the surgery? Here’s the patient’s condition.”
Lu Ming had the capability to perform the surgery, but there was no need for him to do so. He understood the importance of sharing responsibilities and not shouldering everything alone. Moreover, after performing three surgeries in a row the previous day and having only a few hours of sleep at night, he needed proper rest.
Dr. Li, the head of obstetrics, nodded and said, “Certainly.”
“Dr. Lu, the patient’s family has signed the documents,” the nurse returned with the consent forms.
Lu Ming received the documents and reviewed them meticulously. He wanted to ensure that all the information was accurately filled out, with proper signatures, to prevent disputes in case of any unforeseen issues.
“Wait a moment, what’s this?” Lu Ming noticed something amiss and asked, “Please bring the patient’s family here.”
A middle-aged man swiftly arrived, guided by the nurse. He inquired, “Doctor, is there a problem?”
Lu Ming pointed to a specific section on the document and asked, “What did you write in the ‘Relationship with the patient’ field?”
The middle-aged man, Mar Yingshan, squinted at it and appeared puzzled. “What’s wrong with what I wrote? I filled in ‘General.'”
“Exactly! You wrote ‘General’ for your relationship with the patient,” Lu Ming pointed to the section again.
Mar Yingshan still didn’t grasp the issue and stated, “Yes, the relationship with the patient is generally normal.”
Lu Ming was speechless while the nurses and doctors nearby struggled to contain their laughter.
After a moment, Mar Yingshan seemed to have an epiphany and said, “Oh, I understand now. How about I change it to ‘Good’ then? My wife and I argued yesterday, and we’re giving each other the cold shoulder. So, I thought our relationship was ‘General.’ If ‘General’ won’t do, then I can choose ‘Good’ or ‘Close.'”
Lu Ming took a deep breath, and the nurses and doctors nearby couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Lu Ming’s face palmed. “My friend, it’s not about selecting ‘General,’ ‘Good,’ or ‘Close’! You should describe your relationship as ‘Spouse’! Who told you to interpret it like this?!”