Dr. STORKS (コウノドリ)

Episode 4

I'm Shimoya from Obstetrics. Please bring a stretcher to the 1st floor immediately.

Yes!

Excuse me, sorry! Please make way.

Are you okay?

Mizuta Eiko-san. Looks like 36 weeks. -36 weeks?

Yes. -The rupture's pretty bad.

We need to carry her to the delivery room immediately. -Yes.

Mizuta-san, I'm going to take a look okay? -Let's change your position.

We'll do it here. -Eh...here?

The baby's coming out. We don't have time.

Sorry, can you please make sure to block this area

and prevent people from coming near?

I'm sorry, please move further back. -There's an emergency so please use that way.

I'm sorry. -I'm sorry.

We're taking a look okay?

The umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck. -But it's okay.

Madam, just a bit more okay? Don't worry.

Please relax.

It's born. -Congratulations.

I'm going to let you have a look, okay? Please wait.

Alright, it's untangled. -Dr. Shimoya!

Please wait a bit more okay?

Thank god.

Congratulations. It's a healthy baby girl.

Taking a look at the baby.

I'm Arai from Neonatal. We'll take the baby.

The doctor will take a look at the baby, okay?

Okay...

Skin colour good. Stimulus reflex good. Respiratory status good.

Any abnormality during the childbirth?

Ah, the umbilical cord was wrapped 3 times around the neck.

But once we cut the cord, she cried instantly.

Okay, got it.

Congratulations. It's a healthy baby girl.

For the purpose of medical examination, we'll keep the baby for now.

You are? -Shimoya from Obstetrics.

I see.

My wife has abdominal pain.

After fetching her to the hospital, I'll return immediately. I'm sorry.

Jun-chan, I think my water broke.

What?

You did a good job today. -Nah...no no.

Bearing the pregnant mother in mind, it was the right judgment.

When mothers give birth in public places,

we need to think of their feelings. -Yes.

Dr. Shimoya, you're popular among the patients recently.

Asking you by name. -That's only because they

wanted a female doctor. I...

But it's a good thing. Doctors

can learn a lot from patients. That's the most important thing.

Yes. -Hm.

Doctor! Dr. Shimoya! -Tanaka-san?

Something's wrong with my wife's tummy.

I think my water broke.

Madam, have a sit here.

Shimoya, week number? -21 weeks 1 day.

Can it be premature rupture? -It's better to do immediate checkup.

Yes. -Shimoya, wheelchair.

Shimoya! Get the wheelchair. -Yes.

There's no guaranteed birth.

A pregnancy that progresses steadily can take a surprising turn

and families will be faced with severe choices that will affect their lives forever.

Tanaka-san, you're experiencing threatened abortion.

In other words, it's a condition where a miscarriage might happen.

Miscarriage?

What about the baby?

Right now, it's 21 weeks 1 day. Estimated weight is 420g.

We've confirmed the heartbeat.

Ah...thank god.

However, from the examination's results

the membrane has ruptured.

There's a hole in the egg-like membrane that surrounds the baby.

The amniotic fluid is leaking little by little.

The amniotic fluid is leaking?

Yes.

Naturally, the amniotic fluid will surround

and protect the baby in the tummy.

Now it's starting to decrease.

If it continues to leak

problems such as the baby's lungs not being developed properly will occur.

If you deliver the baby right now

it can't be saved.

Why? Dr. Shimoya, you told me it's progressing well yesterday during the checkup.

Last night, there was some stretching pain in my stomach.

I don't think there's any problem with this much stretching.

The cervix is closed.

There's also no bleeding. It should be fine for now.

You told me there's no problem, right? Then, why?!

That... -Threatened abortion is

difficult to predict.

Most of the time, we only find out after the symptoms occur.

So what should we do?

The baby's chances of survival will increase

with each day as long as the baby's inside the womb.

So as long as we keep the baby inside till October 10th

it'll be fine, right? -Considering the rupture has occurred

it'll be difficult for the baby to the reach last month of pregnancy.

Firstly, our aim is to reach 24 weeks.

If we're able to hold on till then

the baby will reach 500g.

The baby's chance of leading a healthy life will be more than 50%.

50%? -Yes.

If you wish to continue this pregnancy

you need to be hospitalized immediately

and be in the condition of bed rest.

Wait..hold on

You just said "if"? "If you wish"?

What does that mean?

If we reach 24 weeks on bed rest

and even if the baby's born

it will still have obstacles to overcome.

Obstacles?

Cerebral palsy, lung disease

and visual disability for example.

Besides that, bed rest means no walking,

meals and bedpan will all be done on the bed.

Medicine to prevent labor and infection will be administered via IV 24 hours.

You might experience side effects such as nausea and fatigue.

Based on what I've just conveyed

we need you to make a decision.

Whether you wish to continue the pregnancy

or give up on the baby.

What are you talking about, doctor?

Please save it.

Say that you'll help us deliver it healthily!

It's been 10 years since our marriage. We've been waiting for so long!

I understand your feeling

but I can't promise you.

If you don't want to continue the pregnancy

artificial abortion is permitted by law

up to 21 weeks 6 days.

If possible

we'd like you to decide by today or tomorrow.

There's no way we can decide something like this.

Still, the only ones who can decide are the both of you.

Tanaka-san

We doctors can't be responsible for your future

but once you've made a decision

we'll give our utmost support accordingly.

Dr. Arai was your junior at medical school?

Yes, when I was a student. She's really excellent.

That's helpful. Recommending a good doctor to our place.

Babies are increasing year by year in the NICU.

It's been tough for our regional perinatal center.

We have shortage of doctors dealing with chronic patients.

But Obstetrics and NICU are the pillars of our hospital management.

Neonatalogy Doctor Arai Emi

Now that Dr. Arai is here

from now on, we can accept more patients.

Thanks to her, we can be on-watch duties 6 times per month.

Until now, it had been 8 times per month.

That was a pretty grueling situation.

Dr. Arai, sorry that you're on watch duty starting from tonight.

It's fine. -Right, Director?

Ah! Conference! I have to go.

Well then, Dr. Arai. Let's cooperate together.

Yes.

Why? Why must it be our child?

What's going to happen to our baby?

I can't...I can't take this anymore.

You musn't move. -I hate this. Why?

This is cruel!

Telling us it may not be saved.

Even if it's born there might be complications.

This child will be pitiful. -Idiot!

Don't say that it's pitiful!

The baby is fighting with all its might in there.

So if we parents say it's pitiful

the baby won't be able to stand it.

I'm not running away.

Because I'm the father of this child.

Running out of time,

even if it's difficult,

thinking seriously while worrying

we're the ones who have to decide.

The only ones who have to decide

about this child are you and me.

The thought of having children with disabilities

and how taxing it is for the parents,

I can't start to imagine that.

To be honest, I'm scared.

But you know, I still want it to be born.

I know it might be painful for you

but I'll do anything I can for this child.

Ouch!

Dr. Shimoya

Dr. Shimoya -Yes?

I know you're disturbed about Tanaka-san but

you still have other patients.

I'm sorry.

Shimoya, are you confirming whether you've made a mistake or not?

No, that's not it. -Threatened abortion

is hard to predict even for veteran doctors and midwives.

Even if it's because of your fault that this miscarriage might happen

what you should do now

is not confirming whether you've messed up or not.

As usual he's being sarcastic.

He's just being especially strict to you.

I'm unqualified as an obstetrician.