Delivery Preperations
Posted on Fri Mar 8th, 2019 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Asa Dael & Ensign Tathaa & Emergency Medical Hologram (Adam Power) Mk X
Mission:
Recovery Trek
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: 2396
The Sickbay conference room was quite large, and Chief Medical Officer Doctor Dael was feeling a bit intimidated as they set up the room for their first departmental meeting. Things had been non-stop on the Hera since they joined, and the department had kept pace admirably. However, there were currently 22 pregnant crew members on the Hera, all of which were slated to give birth in the next 5 months. This was unprecedented for the ship, and although Asa felt confident in their staff, they wanted to make sure the entire department was on the same page for the coming challenge.
Doctor Dael had placed water pitchers and glasses on the conference table, making sure each crew member would have easy access to one. There was a PaDD at each chair, and a small buffet of popcorn, nuts, fruits, and seeds was at the back of the room. The schematics for the newly updated birthing wing of Sickbay displayed on a monitor at the head of the room, and the text “Operation: Baby Boom” was overlaid on the schematic. Scale models of birthing stations and equipment had been replicated and placed on the table as well, and a large whiteboard was next to where Asa would be leading the meeting.
The board was divided into 3 sections, one labeled “Physical Needs”, one labeled “Psychological Needs”, and one labeled, “Questions for Later”. The room set up complete, Asa went to their seat, smiling and prepared to greet the attendee’s as they came in.
The Anear nurse was the first through the door. She still had a smile on her face that hadn't left her since her bounding ceremony. " Hello, doctor. You're looking well today. " She said as she took her seat at the table.
“As are you,” Asa returned the greeting warmly. “It would seem bonded life agrees with you, Ensign.”
It was wonderful to see Tathaa looking so happy, Asa thought. The anear had seemed a bit nervous in the days leading up to the ceremony to Asa’s eyes, but perhaps that was part of the process. She seemed to be glowing now, and Asa looked forward to the day the Thex, Tathaa and their two other as-yet-unmet partners could welcome young ones of their own.
" It does." The white girl said as she poured herself a drink of water. " Looks like we have a lot of planning to doo."
"I have to agree on both counts," the EMH replied, entering as well. "Fortunately, we're well trained for this sort of thing. Congratulations on your bonding ceremony, Ensign."
" Thank you, doctor. " The Anear replied as she took a drink.
“Agreed entirely, Doctor,” Asa said with a smile
In short order the rest of the medical crew filed in, taking places as they desired. It was interested to Asa’s eyes to see how many friendships among the staff obviously carried over into their off hours as well. They were glad of this and hoped to continue to foster an environment of caring.
Ensign Carrott sat near Ensign Vimes, both of them fidgeting with some the scale models of birthing forceps used for a breach Ferengei birth. Asa had included that knowing that Yeoman Klur’s pregnancy had been difficult, but with a fervent hope that she would not be breach. The unconventional yeoman was one of the few planned pregnancies on the Hera, and a Ferengei-human child may have an….interesting delivery.
As was his wont, Ensign Carrott was still a bit in shock that his new bride was pregnant as well, only in her second trimester, but far sooner than the couple had anticipated upon their matrimony. Doctor Dael wasn’t entirely sure if that had been a shotgun wedding or not, but supported their choice to build a family together, and had full confidence Carrott would eventually adjust to the idea. Ideally before the child was born.
Standing to address the room, Asa began the meeting.
“Welcome everyone, thank you all for being here. As you each know, we currently have more pregnancies on board than any other ship in the fleet. This presents us with a unique challenge and opportunity to serve the crew. This is an important time in the life of not only the child and parents, but for the social structures around them also. We have an unprecedented opportunity to foster a loving environment for 22 new lives on the Hera, and I know each of you is up to the task. The goal for the day is to review the logistics of each person’s birth needs and plan, as well as to brainstorm if they are receiving the emotional and environmental support they need. The new nurseries have already been added, for which we can thank Commander Paris, and the birthing stations in Sickbay have all been updated to the most current technology available. We, the people, are the last bit remaining. So let’s make sure we get it right, ok?”
Asa pulled up the file for the crew member most likely to give birth first, a Bajoran Lieutenant Junior Grade Kiara. The LJG had been vocal in her annoyances at the sneezing fits common to Bajoran pregnancies, but was also stalwart in her assertion that minimal medications be used. The group reviewed the details of the pregnancy and then broke off to work simulations of her birth plan, both with and without known complications.
Once that was done, the groups came back together to review the next crew members file and break out into practice sessions. Asa reiterated the importance of customizing the experience to each person- taking into account their unique medical needs, personal preferences, religious practices, and a variety of other factors. The groups brainstormed ways to improve upon what they did by comparing notes, coming to a unified front on each birth plan.
Satisfied with progress so far, Asa drew the group back together, and pointed to the white board.
“Ok, everyone has done an exceptional job so far. But I want us to go above and beyond, as each of you always do. So, let’s look at it. What are we missing? Let’s call out any physical or emotional needs that we are missing, both for the birth as well as the recovery and bonding stage with the child. Any questions that we can’t answer immediately, we put in the other column. I’m going to start. Ensign Ogg is going to be a single parent since their partner elected to not be part of the child’s life and has transferred off the ship. What plans do we have in place to help them and their child flourish? Throw any ideas you got out there people, there are no wrong answers right now.”
“Ok, everyone has done an exceptional job so far. But I want us to go above and beyond, as each of you always do. So, let’s look at it. What are we missing? Let’s call out any physical or emotional needs that we are missing, both for the birth as well as the recovery and bonding stage with the child. Any questions that we can’t answer immediately, we put in the other column. I’m going to start. Ensign Ogg is going to be a single parent since their partner elected to not be part of the child’s life and has transferred off the ship. What plans do we have in place to help them and their child flourish? Throw any ideas you got out there people, there are no wrong answers right now.”
“Um, this may be dumb…” Carrott began, fumbling a bit before continuing, “But my wife gets really cranky unless I rub her feet. Um, is anyone making sure Ensign Ogg doesn’t need little stuff like that done? I mean, not that I want to rub her feet, but, maybe she needs a massage appointment? Or someone to move stuff around in her quarters to make room for the furniture? Or something?”
Going to write under “Physical Needs” Asa jotted down “Check-ins on personal wellbeing,” then under “Psychological Needs,” drew an arrow across to include the item in this section as well, directly beneath it writing “Sense of Community Support.”
“Great starting point, what else do we have?” they said, hoping to encourage the nervous ensign to speak his mind more freely.
Nurse Vimes cleared her throat before speaking. The matronly woman spoke with confidence fitting her years and knowledge. This batch of children would not be the first she helped bring into the galaxy, and having successfully raised one of her own, she knew her opinions held weight among the mostly-younger crowd on the Hera.
“It occurs to me that although the entire ship is aware of the baby boom we are about to experience, nothing has been done to celebrate these new lives. Of course some people like Mr. Carrott here have made sure the parent of their child feels cherished, but what have we done as a whole to make it clear to the expectant parents that their little ones are not a burden, but a blessing?” As she spoke, Vimes gently patted Carrott’s hand in a reassuring, matronly manner.
Asa paused a moment, considering. They realized that they had been so wrapped up in the logistics of birthing plans, recommending cribs, programming formula into replicators, juggling side effects and complications that they had completely overlooked the impact to crew morale that may be occurring.
Some counselor you are, Asa. Great job. Way to forget that life changing experiences for a chunk of the crew all at once may impact ship morale as a whole. the doctor internally berated themself.
After writing “Baby Party?” on the “Questions for later” section, Dr. Dael responded, “Thank you, Nurse Vimes, you are correct. We have a responsibility as the spearhead of mental and physical health on the Hera to make sure morale stays high and that we foster a welcoming environment. I understand on Earth expectant parents often have ‘Baby Showers’, which is to say a party to accept gifts for the child and celebrate the upcoming birth. Perhaps a ship-wide shower? Thoughts?”
The EMH piped up. "That would be good for ship-wide morale, but I'm more concerned about the medical staff's morale. With so many pregnant and so few of us signed off on delivery and childbirth procedures, I suggest we begin cutting back hours and beginning six hour rotations with six hour standby and furthering training for full coverage in case we have to deliver three or even four children at once. I may not need to rest and have full training, but the rest of the staff needs to be fully rested at all times and have the expertise needed, just in case."
The anear noded as had been quietly taking notes. The EMH's suggestion was a good one. " Should we split the team up further and have some of us concentrate on the particular birthing habits?" She added.
“Another good idea,” Asa replied, “But I want everyone to have knowledge on each person’s birthing plan still. So let’s have each crew member with four staff members specializing with their case, including the birth plan and post-natal follow ups, which should allow each member of Sickbay to focus on three to four cases. Break them up by expected delivery dates, don’t bunch all four cases up that are due around the same time, and practice those first. Once you have your cases down, move on to practicing everyone else’s. We need both expertise and redundancy here, folks. I’ll have assignments out by the end of the day. Anything else?”
Seeing no hands go up and hearing no voices, Asa continued, “Ok, it seems like we have a great plan in place. Keep in mind though, no plan survives intact, so be prepared to adapt and adjust. Get plenty of rest, and speak up if you are confused at any point. I’ll speak to the Captain and First Officer about setting aside some time to celebrate with a ship-wide shower and let you know the date when I have it. Six hour shifts will begin next week, so please check the duty roster. We are all in for some long days and nights, but I know each of you is up to the task. We have the honor of being there for the start of new life, and I am confident we will all do everything we can to make this a positive experience for everyone involved.”
The meeting at an end, Asa sat waiting for everyone to make an exit. They knew sometimes people had questions they would only ask once everyone else was gone. As expected, two nurses and a scan technician came to get clarification on how certain pieces of equipment operated or on what to expect from a certain species childbirth tradition. Those questions answered, Asa found themself alone with the EMH.
“Well, Doctor, I think we’re as ready as we can be,” they said, letting out a breath they didn’t realize they had been holding.
