After introductions, Doctor Stoll goes through my current and past medical history. He raises an eyebrow when we talk about my history of panic attacks, but he moves on to other questions. My biggest complaint is the soreness in my breasts.
He gives me a thumbs-up when I mention taking prenatal vitamins and giving up caffeine and alcohol. I side-eye the medical cart, still confused about the speculum and other equipment. “Do I need a pap smear?”
Doctor Stoll glances at the medical tray and shakes his head. “This was pulled by mistake. You had a pap done seven weeks ago when I removed your IUD. No need to do another for a year.”
Phew!Thank God, because that procedure is never pleasant.
“I’ll do an exam, then we’ll do the ultrasound.” He pulls out a sheet and throws it over my lap. “Let's have you lean back so I can check your abdomen and do a breast exam.”
Uh-oh!
“The hell,” Maceo mutters as the doctor lifts my gown.
Punk goes white. “Oh, shit!”
Maceo grabs him by the shoulders and spins him around to face the wall. “Don’t you dare turn around.”
“Hear you loud and clear,” Punk says to the wall.
Doctor Stoll starts by pushing around on my abdomen, asking if this or that hurts. He nods, satisfied with my answers, and moves to raise my gown over my breasts.
Maceo stops him. “Are you sure she didn’t have one of these last time too?”
“She did, but she mentioned breast tenderness. I need to make sure nothing’s wrong,” the doctor explains.
Maceo grumbles as the doctor waves the intern closer.
“Notice the swelling on the underside of the breast. The tenderness can radiate up to the armpits. Breast swelling is common during pregnancy, even this early in duration. The darkening of the areolas is another telltale sign of pregnancy and occurs during the first trimester.”
The doctor pinches around my nipples causing me to let out a sharp hiss. “Nipple discharge can occur during pregnancy and can lead to more discomfort due to chaffing and tenderness. It seems Jo is already showing early signs of this.”
In need of a distraction from the discomfort, I look at Maceo, but he’s staring fiercely at all the men in the room. “Are you done? She’s sore and you’re hurting her.”
The student backs off, sensing danger. Doctor Stoll’s brows pull together. “Are they bothering you a lot?”
Maceo answers for me. “She won’t let me touch them. Maybe you should stop too.”
Doctor Stoll tries not to laugh when he looks at me. “Is he always this protective?”
“All the time,” I answer.
“Well, you can relieve some tenderness by going braless,” the doctor suggests.
Punk raises his hand.
Doctor Stoll sighs. “Yes, Stranger-in-the-corner?”
“She already does,” Punk says.
Maceo’s head whips to his friend's back. “How would you know?”
Punk shakes with laughter. “Atlas, not to point out the obvious, but your girl’s boobs doubled in size. The eyes naturally go there. I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”
“You’re layering up on the tank tops,” Maceo says heatedly to me.
“I already am,” I huff. It’s not like I’m trying to draw attention to my newly acquired rack. It’s just there.
Doctor Stoll pulls down my gown, and I’m relieved to be covered. “Regular massage and hot compresses can help too. If it becomes worse, we can reassess.”