Family Possibilities

Posted on Sun Apr 3rd, 2016 @ 11:57pm by Colonel S'er'in'e & Samanthia Akiashiro & Lieutenant Commander David Deschanel M.D.

Mission: Brave New World
Location: Sickbay

At the appointed time in company with his Mate the pair entered Sickbay to discuss options, risks and potential issues regarding the potential pregnancy of Samanthia with mixed species offspring. Though hiding it well S'er'in'e worried that in her wish to have more children the risks those very children could pose to her could take her away from him if it were too serious. Still, he remembered that she wanted children and he would provide, it seemed to make Samanthia happy when thinking of more children, proud to be a mother again. A nurse appeared with a pleasant smile upon her face.

"Hello, how can I help?"

S'er'in'e customarily bowed to the female but allowed his Mate to speak.

"We've come for some medical advice. we're thinking of having children together and..." Glancing at S'er'in'e then back to the nurse. "I'm here for a check-up also and an appointment with a Doctor Deschanel." She gave the nurse a soft smile.

"Very well, if you'll just take a seat here, I'll check to see if the Doctor is ready for you," the nurse responded, gesturing to the seats that were arranged outside of the treatment and examination areas. The nurse wasn't gone long before she returned and beckoned them to follow. "If you'll come this way please, the doctor is in the main ward."

Samanthia stood up from where she was sitting, looking though some of the typical magazines and books that all waiting rooms seam to have. She followed the Nurse to the designated ward.

The nurse led the pair through and into the main ward, which was a large room even by the Starbase's standards. Set up for a 20 bed capacity, each bed had partitioning curtains set up to give a wide berth around each, guaranteeing space as well as privacy. Above the rails for each set of curtains were small plaques with numbers on them, evidently a way for medical staff and visitors to find their way to the right bed. Doctor Deschanel was stood next to bed 3, which was empty and set up for a standard check-up. "Miss Akiashiro; Lt. Colonel," he said, nodding to each in turn in greeting as they approached. The nurse pulled the privacy curtains closed behind the pair as they passed them, and walked off to attend to some other duty.

"I have your down as having an appointment for a routine check-up, but I understand that you're also here for prenatal advice?" the doctor said. "Are you happy to discuss that here, or would you rather we move this to my office?"

"I'm fine." Samanthia nodded with a smile. "I'm more concerned with having children that will have the attributes of their father." Nodding to S'er'in'e. "Claws and all during birthing. Since we are of two different races and I'm the one that would have to carry them to term." As she sat on the bio-bed awaiting the Doc's orders.

S'er'in'e stood aside out of the way but close to Samanthia, Doctor's and medical staff were perhaps afforded the most latitude when it came to physical contact with his Mate. He knew there would be risks with becoming parents and it was always best to play safe, understand the risks, be prepared and understand what may happen during the pregnancy.

She handed over a Data-PADD that contained her medical records which also had recorded of her giving birth to twin girls.

"Yes, inter-species pregnancies usually do come with certain complications as I'm sure you're aware," the doctor said as he took the PADD from her. "Especially where claws, horns and other appendages are included on one side of the parental divide." He held the padd in one hand while retrieving and running a medical scanner over Samanthia in the other, reading her previous history and comparing the scan results as he went.

"Well, physically you're in good enough shape to carry another child. I can see on your records that you've already had twins in the past - human, I'm guessing? That at least means that you're capable of having children. Did you have any complications or unusual discomfort with your last pregnancy?" he asked, putting the PADD aside. He stepped over to the computer terminal next to the bed and began pulling up records from the starbase's medical database; though he was well aware of human pregnancies - and pregnancies of other species he had been present for throughout the years - his knowledge of the Caitian gestation process was more sparse, and he had never dealt with a Caitian/Human hybrid pregnancy before.

Samanthia thought back to the time she gave birth. "Both girls were human and husband was human also. As for complications. It took longer than usual. I thought I would die. Was given a mild pain reliever to get the second one out. I was so glad to have that done and over with."

"Lt Colonel, if you could take a seat on the biobed too, please," David asked, after nodding in response to Samanthia. "I'd like to take a few quick scans of you as well."

S'er'in'e took a seat also, his tail coiling about his waist lest he sit uncomfortably on it. He understood her worries, had some of his own but they could wait, this was afterall her moment and everything hinged on her.

The doctor took a scan of the Lt. Colonel and uploaded it to the terminal, nodding to himself as he reviewed it. "Well, the good news is that you are both in good health to stand a decent chance of conceiving," he informed them, before turning back to speak with Samanthia. "Now, I have to warn you that - even if the two of you do conceive - and with mixed-species pregnancies there is always a chance that you won't - there are a lot of unknowns in an inter-species birth. The majority of the gestation characteristics do tend to come from the mother's side of the parentage - you're unlikely to end up carrying a litter, and the chances of the fetus developing claws within the womb is low. However, the term of the pregnancy and length of the labour vary quite highly in most cases. Caitian pregnancies tend to be short - about a third the length of that of humans, but a mixed pregnancy can be anywhere from 3 to 9 months. There really is no guideline on how long the labour can last. You should also be prepared for your body to go through some pretty rapid physiological changes, particularly within the first two weeks."

Samanthia listened intently to what the Doctor was saying. She nodded occasionally in the natural pauses in his spiel to show she was listening to him speak.

"Now, there are a number of things that we can do to increase the chance of conception. Naturally, coming from two different species your biology is quite different - different anti-bodies, blood types, and so have you. There is something that I can give you that contains modified Caitian antibodies and hormones that can help bridge the gap. It's got a high success rate at improving the chances of Human-Caitian conception, but it does have its side effects. The hormones will simulate a Caitian 'in-heat' state; your libido will increase, certainly. You may also experience other side effects, such as increased hair growth, or a heightened sense of smell. The Caitian antibodies may also end up attacking benign bacteria in your system that is harmless to humans, but would be seen as an infection in Caitian bodies, so you may come down with a fever, which we can manage with medication. The antibodies are essential as they are passed from the mother to Caitian embryos within the first week of conception, and form the basis of the baby's immune system."

"Oh boy..." She muttered softly, then spoke in a normal tone. "I just want my children to be healthy to carry on our legacy." She looked up at S'er'in'e "But other than that, there will be no complications? Unless one grows claws while inside of me. Would my chances of having twins again? Since I've already gave birth to a set already."

"Were your twins fraternal, or identical?" the doctor asked. "Statistically, having one set of identical twins doesn't significantly increase your likelihood of having another set again. The odds are roughly one in seventy thousand. Fraternal twins however show a history of your body being able to produce two eggs within a single ovulation period, so the chances of having another set increase - roughly one in three thousand."

"Identical girls, within a few minutes apart." Samanthia spoke softly as she liked having S'er'in'e close by.

"In that case then, your chances of having twins again are about the same as they are for all mothers." David confirmed. "As far as complications; there is a lot we can do to minimise the chances, but I would be lying if I said we could guarantee no complications, especially in a hybrid conception. But, with regular check-ups, we should be able to correct any abnormalities as they develop, to ensure that the child is born healthy."

"If you're both still happy to proceed, I can begin replicating the supplements you'll need to take. I'd also like to set you both up with an appointment with a dietician. Undoubtedly your diet will change to accommodate the child as it grows," he said to Samanthia, before turning to S'er'in'e. "But you will need to adjust your diet as well, to help you in dealing with the additional stresses you will need to deal with as the father; both in the extra care needed for Samanthia, and in the sleepless nights in the early months after the child is born."

"I know I know..." Samanthia spoke up. "... All about them sleepless nights. Dietary needs, stress and whot not. I'm Ex-Fleet Medical." A bit shyly. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation of having more children. "I'm all for it."

She looked up at S'er'in'e, "What do you want? Not what I want, but what You want?" Making it clear she wanted his honest opinion as it was going to effect him also. Even though he gets all the fun parts and the consequences but in a different way.

"I admit I fear for your well being, the changes you will endure will be swift and there are many unknowns, you will suffer much before you are a mother again. You have the advantage of having already been a parent, this will be new for me to which I have no experience to draw upon. If you are still willing though, I am prepared and willing to try." For all his skills, training and natural ability there was nothing he could use to prepare him for what lay ahead, no foe to face down, not threat he was able to protect Samanthia from. In a way in his mind he was himself the threat, he would be the one subjecting her to what lay ahead, even if it was by her willing acceptance.

Samanthia grabbed his paw/hands with her palms resting on the tips of his claws as she looked up at him. "Just remember, the children will try your patience, make you mad and angry at them. Pull your fur and tail. If you feel that you can't take it any more or reach that point of breaking. I'd rather have you walk out on them and me. To seriously harm our children, that would be unforgivable. Discipline them, I can understand. But use other means first or let me discipline them." She spoke softly with a trace of coldness in her voice to show she meant business. Her expression serious. "It is our most sacred duty to love and nurture them. Guide them into adult hood. Beyond what any Customs or Tradition says other wise. They depend on us for our love and well being."

Her words made sense to his ears and mind, filled with truth and experience even if they hurt to hear them.

Samanthia then looked at the Doctor. She nodded. "Lets begin the treatment at our next scheduled appointment. I believe my husband needs some time to make sure this is what he wants also. As it going to effect our careers and home life."

"No." His hand slowly closed around hers that held it. "Let us begin now." He looked down at Samanthia. "I can not harm offspring, my parents also would visit often and I would like to see you sleep soundly holding our offspring, to which I would gladly surrender my place in your bed."

"And you'll get to meet my parents also when they hear of the news." She smiled at S'er'in'e. She turned to face the Doctor, "Lets begin the treatment. Where do I sign?"

"No need to sign anywhere," David said with a smile. "But it will take me a day or so to replicate the supplements. They need to be modified to match your own blood type in order to take effect. Come and see me again this time tomorrow, and I'll give you your first week's worth of prescriptions. I'd like to see you every week after that to make sure that things are going well and you're taking to the supplements nicely, but obviously come and see me straight away if you feel that there is anything wrong."

"That would be fine, Doctor." Samanthia spoke with a soft smile as she leaned against S'er'in'e while still holding his paw like hand in hers.

The decision was made, one that would change everything for the rest of the lives they shared together. He still worried about what a pregnancy would mean or more importantly do to Samanthia considering what species he was but she was willing to take the risk, he would stand by it. He looked at his comparatively small framed Wife lean against him, he smiled even if it was hidden by his fur but glad things were turning out so well.

========================================================================

Lt.Colonel S'er'in'e
Lt.Commander Deschanel
&
Samanthia Akiashiro