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Sophie Elliston

Sophie Elliston

artist | healer in training
Messages
364
OOC First Name
kaye
Blood Status
Muggleborn
Wand
Curved 14 Inch Unyielding Willow Wand with Unicorn Hair Core
Age
1/2036
Sophie hadn't felt nervous in a while, and especially not as nervous as she was feeling right now. Her palms were sweaty, she felt tense in every part of her body, and she wanted to shrivel up into a ball and disappear. The former Ravenclaw sat in the waiting room by herself with all of the other expectant mothers whom she was sure were giving her glares and silent judgement. It was hard for her not to think they were thinking bad things about her. They probably thought she was no good to be a mother at such a young age, or that she had been taking drugs or had been messing around with the wrong sort, but neither of those things were true. Truthfully, she wasn't sure how to explain herself at all and just hoped that this appointment with her midwife would go smoothly, especially since she was practically ready to pop at any time and there had been no complications so far. She balled her hands into fists and looked into her lap, which was hidden by her deflated stomach, to avoid catching eyes with someone. She kept her ears alert for her name however, hoping it would be any time now.
 
six months after the birth of her daughter and Rhiannon was back on the wards. She was actually relieved to have some time away from the baby, even if she still worked with babies they weren't hers. they weren't looking at her for every single little thing. but the two days at work she fluctuated between missing Fiona and feeling guilty for not missing her and enjoying work.
she looked at her list and saw the name of her next patient the date of birth jumping out at her. 2036, the girl was only eighteen, hardly more than a child herself. she reached the waiting room and could see the girl sitting on her own looking uncomfortable as she waited. "Sophie" she called before smiling her professional expression pushing her thoughts aside and slipping back into work mode, not mum mode. "Just this way, my name is healer McGowan, or Rhiannon. and I will be taking over your care from here if that is okay by you" she said hoping that the girl wouldn't be too uncomfortable getting a new healer this far through her pregnancy.
 
As Sophie heard her name being called, she quickly looked up to see a different lady this time. She looked nicer, taller, and overall seemed like she knew what she was doing a little bit better than the last one. The teen just shrugged, standing up from her chair and following the lady down the hall. This was her new midwife now. It was quite late in the pregnancy, but truthfully Sophie didn't care. She just wanted it to be over with already and would do anything it took to speed the process up. She was sick of all of the looks she received from people in public, and hoped this lady could really help her get through the process smoothly. "Where did the other one go?" Sophie asked, truthfully not caring, but also feeling a little nosy. After all, she knew her mother would ask her the same question.
 
Rhiannon had been right. Sophie had been the blonde sitting in the waiting room looking scared. She opened the door to her consult room as the girl asked a question. "your previous healer is still here, and if you want to continue with her I totally understand. I have been away for a few months on maternity leave. and have started back a few days a week" she said. she may be one of the younger healers. but she was also the most specialised in obstetrics after working a couple of years as a doctor at the Melbourne women's hospital before training to be a healer. "Take a seat" she said gesturing to the chair at her desk before she took the chair opposite. "So Sophie. i have had a read through of your file, and this is your thirty-five-week check-up. like your last few check ups we will measure and have a listen and feel to make sure everything is growing okay in there. she said. that was one of the things that she missed about muggle medicine. their ultrasound machines where she could see exactly what was going on. and not for the first time she wondered if she could bring in the little portable one she had seen demonstrated used at a lecture she had been to or if the magic would interfear too much. "but first. how have you been going? do you have any concerns or problems" she asked. it was all very well to measure the baby but as much as the baby was her patient so was the mother. and she had found often mothers knew better if something was off than measurement or test.
 
Sophie just nodded and shrugged as Rhiannon spoke about her previous healer. "I don't want her back, it's okay." she said quite bluntly. She was glad at least that nothing bad had happened to her. At the mention of her coming back from maternity leave, Sophie couldn't help but be curious, and mostly she was looking for some reassurance. "So, you've recently had a baby yourself then? If you don't mind me asking, were they your first? Was it hard?" she asked nervously, hoping the healer could give her a good answer. She was admittedly afraid of what might happen whilst giving birth, especially after watching her younger sister go to intensive care as a newborn. Everything was going fine now, but there was no guarantee that everything would go smoothly in the delivery. The teen took a seat when Rhiannon instructed her to, nodding as she explained what they would be doing. "I've been okay. There's no problems." she told her simply, knowing there was nothing to be concerned about.
 
rhiannon wasnt quite sure what to make of the girls dismissive tone about the last healer. but sh didn't linger on it as she was asked about her own daughter. she nodded as sh was asked if she had recently had a child. "Yes, Fiona, she is almost five months old now" she said "and yes sh was my first. as for hard some parts were hard. some still are. but other parts come so naturally, and we will try our best to make things as smooth and easy for you" she said. a diplomatic answer. getting pregnant, that had been hard, the end of pregnancy feeling like a whale had been hard. the few hours sleep and constant demand for attention was hard, the sudden change of identity from healer to full time mumm had been far harder than she had anticipated. the giving birth its self no one could say it was easy. but it was like an intense workout. cursing everything under the sun, and sore for days after but it had felt like a natural stress and had gone as smoothly
"well that is good to hear." she said as the girl said that there was nothing that she was concerned about. "the other thing we need to discuss today before check some measurements is birth planning you are due in five weeks time but some people find that the baby comes early or late. and any time from now is not too uncommon or unsafe though a few more weeks would be better. there are options for pain potions that will be available whenever you need them. and if you want we can give you a potion to induce labour at a specific time usually about a week before you are due" she said. "we can also contact any family or partners when the time comes. the maternity wing can be accessed from the muggle world you have family who want to visit, " she said. there really was a lot to cover. and she had seen her parents occupations listed as muggle in her notes.
 
Sophie listened as Rhiannon spoke about her child and her pregnancy. She hoped that Rhiannon would be able to make it as smooth as possible for her as she had always been worried about eventually having to push her baby out. It was getting big very fast, and Sophie hoped her body would be able to handle it. She continued to listen to what was going to happen now and nodded as Rhiannon spoke about potions that could help her. It made lots of sense that there would be potions like these, and perhaps they were like the needles that muggles were injected with that would numb the pain. "Yes, I would definitely like some potions." Sophie said, feeling as though it was much easier than a large needle. She also wasn't quite sure what her pain tolerance was like, and didn't want to test it too much. "Is drinking a potion the only way to induce labour?" She heard that for muggles there were plenty of options that might work, and wondered if it was the same in the wizarding world. She nodded at the idea of muggles being able to come for the birth. "My mother and my siblings might come. They're muggles." She wasn't sure how excited they would all be for the day, but she really at least wanted her mother there.
 
Rhiannon nodded as sophie said sh would b happy with potions. it was something that they had to talk about early to get the womans preferences but often they changed their minds in the moment. it was easier if they said yes. the girls next question was a little suprising most witches were happy with using potions if they wanted any help at all. "there are some muggle medications that can be used to incude labour but they are given as an injection. there are some exercises that can help and some herbal things you can use but they dont have as much evidence." she said slipping between healer and doctor mode. when sophie said that she wanted her mum to be there she nodded. "I wanted the same, we can certainly organise it for you" she said. her mum had not made it to the birth. sh had delivered early and her mum had had to catch a plane but she had visited her in hospital and had been there for the first week or so at home. even as healers, and her working in obstetrics the help her mum had given her was worth more than any training. "do you have any questions or did you want to take a lie on the bed so i can tak a few measures to see how your baby is going" she said.
 
Sophie nodded as the healer went over other options. She wasn't interested in them at all, but was curious to know, and glad that she asked. It would be rather tough for people to induce labour that wanted to do it naturally, and she was glad that the option of potions was given to her in the wizarding world. She was forever grateful for her magical abilities. The woman then told her that they could arrange her family coming for the birth, and Sophie was glad for this. She wondered how exactly it would work, but thought she had already asked too many unnecessary questions. She stood up and lay down on the bed that was provided when Rhiannon told her to. "Thank you for doing this." she said truthfully, eager to get the baby out of her as smoothly and as safe as possible.
 
Rhiannon was glad that this young lady was starting to feel more comfortable with her. she seemed to relax more and more from the very nervous girl in the waiting room. it was reassuring that at least she hadn't lost her touch too much. she went about the rest of the check-up measuring Sophie's blood pressure. she was unusual among healers that she had also trained as a doctor and there were some things that she preferred doing the muggle way. thankfully maternity was one of the most similar branches of medicine between the two. and the use of a muggle blood pressure device and stethoscope was one of the things she hadn't let go of. she finished the check-up by measuring the bump and having a listen to the baby. "Everything is coming Do you want to listen to her heart" she asked offering her the end of the stethoscope. so that she could have a listen.
once everything was done and they were once again both seated she smiled. "this is my card, I only work two days a week but am on call for when it is time to deliver." she said. this was something that had been worked out in her back to work plan. with the understanding that if she was called in and Tybalt was also at work or sleeping she could leave Fiona in the nursery, having an extra healer was more valuable than it cost to care for another baby. there were some days that she wished she would be called in just so that she could leave fi with someone and have a break. "we are just about done for the check-up. but we still have time if you have anything else you want to talk about or have any more questions." she said. leaving it on for sophie if she wanted o ask her anything or if she wanted to go.
 
Sophie stayed still on the bed as the healer went over her, checking her blood pressure, measuring the lump and listening to the baby. She was amazed at how similar it was to a muggle check up. All of the equipment used was pretty much the same and it made Sophie feel a little bit more comfortable as she knew what to expect. She nodded as Rhiannon asked if she wanted to listen to the baby’s heart, knowing that the sound of her beating heart would definitely give her a little more reassurance that everything was going smoothly and would continue to. She took the stethoscope off her, putting one end in her ear and smiling at the rhythmic beat. It was a strong sound, and definitely sounded healthy. She was looking forward to meeting this baby. “Thank you.” Sophie said, passing her back the stethoscope. She took the card Rhiannon gave her with her contact details on it and pocketed it. “I don’t have any questions, thank you.” she told her with a smile, confident that everything she wanted to know was covered. She was happy to finally leave the hospital. There was only a few weeks left until she was to give birth, and it couldn’t come any slower.


[November 9, 2054]

Sophie had not felt so much physical pain in a long time. If there was one thing nothing could prepare one for, it was the pain of being in labour. The contractions were very close now and Sophie knew that it was coming soon. Her mother and her older siblings were making their way to the hospital, and luckily Etienne was there to call Rhiannon. It was embarrassing to cut their date so short, but without him, she wasn’t sure how quickly she would have made it. She had been rushed into a room and lay down on a bed whilst Etienne had been left behind. She looked around for Rhiannon, the pain clear on her face as she hoped the woman would be there soon. Suddenly, a gush of water came out of her body as she sat up in the bed, causing her to shriek. “Where is Rhiannon?” she asked no one in particular.
 
Fiona was asleep and Rhiannon was putting away another load of washing. there was one extra person in the house and it felt like there was five times as much washing to do.
she was just folding another endless pile of baby clothes when she heard the alarm ringing signifying that she was needed at work. She felt a wave of relief. A break. Before the shrill cry of her daughter made her heart sink and made her feel bad because she would rather spend the day in the labour ward helping other people have babies than with her own child.
she grabbed one of her scrub tops from the pile of clean washing glad at least that it was clean and didn’t have vomit on it and went to get the carrier for fi. She would be better off being looked after in the nursery anyway.
Reaching the hospital she knew exactly where to go. She had had a similar call out at many different hours. She headed to the birthing room and saw Sophie on the bed. It wasn’t a surprise. She only have a few patients and not many who were nearly due. as soon as she entered the room she could tell that the girl was in pain. A pain that Sue was all too familiar with. Though hers had been a slow start.
she tied her hair out of her face ad she walked across the room stopping. Only to clean her hands. im right here Sophie. she said having a loon at the lady’s chart. Before reaching her equptment of the trolly. how on a scale of one to ten how does the pain feel right now? she asked already reaching for the vial of pain potion. A baseline score was needed but there was no doubt that she needed the potion. Once she had received her response she handed the vial to the girl drink up that will help. And I am going to need to have a look to see how far along things are going. Can you tell me how far apart the contractions are? she said feeling at home and more in her element here than she did in a long time.
 
When Sophie saw Rhiannon enter the room, her eyes lit up, following the woman's every movement as she reassured her that she was there. She didn't want her to leave her side. She knew what Sophie was going through and surely would know how to make it happen as quickly as possible with her medical background as well. "The pain is like... argh!" She shrieked as another contraction kicked in. "At least... an 8 or 9." As the lady then handed her the pain potion, she quickly drank it, instantly feeling some relief flow through her body. At being asked how far apart the contractions were, she hesitated as she hadn't really kept up with it, and so just decided to guess. "About a few minutes or so. Does that mean I need to wait longer or can I just get this thing out of me?" she asked, not knowing at all what to expect.
 
Rhiannon wached as the pain wnt off sophies face as the potion took effect. she started to examine the girl to make sure that everyhting was going well. she had a listen and could still ehar the baby's heart clear. she gave sophie an examination. "you are doing great. you still have a little while to go before it is time to push. but you are close. do you want me to contact your family?" she asked she had known that sophie had wanted her mum there and if she wasn't at least contacted soon there would be little chance that she would make it on time.
a little while later and sophie was getting closer to ready. "Okay Sophie, you are half way there, next time you feel the contraction i want you to take a couple of deep breaths and start to push. do you think you can doo that" she said. she was pleased with how smoothly this labour was going. so far no complications.
 
Sophie couldn't help but become a little frustrated as Rhiannon told her that she still had a while to go. She could feel it coming at any time, but unfortunately her contractions were too far apart and Sophie sighed as she realised how much longer she might have to wait. She nodded as Rhiannon asked if she wanted her to contact her family. "Yes please, you said you can get them here somehow?" she asked, remembering their last appointment. She was unsure how exactly that would work, but knew that her mother wouldn't be happy if she had the baby without her.

Soon enough, the contractions were a little closer and Sophie couldn't help but scream loudly with each one. It meant it would all soon be over however and she just tried her best to keep a positive mindset the whole time. Sophie nodded at Rhiannon's words. At the next contraction, she screamed even louder as she attempted to push. She wasn't sure how much her pushing had actually done, but she was determined. She tried her best to breathe, despite feeling like any second she could lose her breath, or explode. Sweat was dripping down her face, but she still continued to try to push. "Is it even doing anything!?" she asked, frustrated.
 
Rhiannon nodded as Sophie said to get her family. "give me a second" she said leaving the room she spoke to the ward clerk and handed them a piece of paper with addresses and phone numbers. before returning to the birthing room 'they are on their way" she said. before getting ready for the long haul.
sometime later sophies family where here and Rhiannon could see the head making its way out. Sophie was being great and things were going as smoothly and easily as they could though one look at Sophie showed that she thought otherwise. "yes you are doing great. we should get the head next time. and that is the biggest bit. now I want one more push then stop" she said she paused and waited for the right moment. "okay, now take a few deep breaths and puff it out through your mouth like this" she said demonstrating blowing out through puffed cheeks. It wouldn't be long now, a few deep breaths then the head should be out and the rest of the baby would follow easily.

OOCOut of Character:
disclaimer: I am not a midwife, I have never given birth or witnessed a birth, I am getting information from here, which seems somewhat legit. but sorry if i mess up at all https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/giving-birth-second-stage-of-labour
 
Sophie was glad that her mother was there now. There was something different about her mother actually being there, and it made her even more determined to get the baby out. She focused on Rhiannon telling her what to do, breathing and exhaling deeply despite the excruciating pain throughout her whole body. Rhiannon's calmness was definitely helping and Sophie was very grateful for her in that moment. She groaned with each push and attempted to breathe the way that Rhiannon was telling her. It was definitely working, and eventually, after one last push, the baby's head appeared and its cries reverberated around the room, followed by a sigh of relief from Sophie as the baby had come out. She had done it, and she couldn't be more happy. Tears began running down her face as she never felt so relieved in her life.
 
Rhiannon watched as Sophie did most of the work she was just guiding the little one out. with one last push, she did it. the little one was in her hands. a few tense seconds later a high pitched cry filled the room. at the sound of the cry she could feel dampness swelling around her own breasts reminding her that she had her own baby she was meant to look after. she ignored it and continued to work "say hello to your beautiful baby girl" she said. "one more push now Sophie if you can" she said pulling slightly on the umbilical cord to help ease the rest out. she passed the baby to the new mum. she paused watching her reaction. it was one of the best parts of her job watching the mums reaction, they often looked somewhat dishevelled often covered in sweat and maybe some tears or blood blood but in that moment with the expression on their face, they were the most beautiful people in the world. "okay now i am just going to cut and clamp the cord, make sure you are okay and give you a few minutes while i clean up " she said before casting a quick severing charm. once she was sure everything was in place and nothing was wrong with mother or child she slipped out of the room.
she cleaned up and headed out of the room towards the nursery where Fiona was by now there were two dark blotches adding to the marks on her shirt the reminder that she had her own daughter who she was meant to be taking care of. she didn't register the boy who was sitting outside the room, just like she hadn't registered him when she had arrived or when she had stepped out to organise for sophies family to come.
 
Etienne had brought Sophie in a few days ago, he thought. He had lost track of time, but had barely left the waiting room since he'd arrived. He'd gone to the restroom here a few times, freshening up in the privacy of the room. He hadn't moved from the couch otherwise, waiting nervously. He didn't know if Sophie would want him here. He was going to stay until he at least knew she was okay. She and the baby. The more he had waited, the more unsure he had become. He had gone over their date a hundred times. Sure, Sophie had kissed him, but she hadn't given any indication that she wanted him in her life.

He wasn't sure if Sophie still wanted him here. If she wanted to see him at all. If he was going to be involved with the baby whose name he still didn't know. He'd been worried, cried several times, gotten mad at himself for being so honest with her. But still, he stayed. Sophie was having a baby, he was probably the furthest thing from her mind.

When the doctor woman finally came out again, Etienne plucked up the courage he hadn't had before. He stood, tired, and approached her, hesitant. "Um, e-excuse me, ma'am?" He stopped a bit away, wringing his hands nervously. "Is- is Sophie still here? Is she alright? I- I dropped her off when she went into labor, I haven't left. I-" he looked away, blushing. "I'll leave if she doesn't want me here, I just- I just want to make sure they're okay," he peeked up at the woman, looking bashful. @Rhiannon Archer
 
Rhiannon had hardly made it halfway along the corridor when she heard a voice behind her. she turned and saw a young man standing looking very sheepish. she wondered if this was the dad. he seemed so concerned about Sophie and the baby but if the dad had been the one that had bought them in then she would have thought Sophie may have mentioned it, maybe she was missing something. then again. she knew from experience that it wasn't necessarily the best time to think clearly. Ty had been there for her. but he was staff. everyone at the hospital knew him, knew that they were married.
she felt for the boy he must have been sitting on the bench outside for a good few hours. "I am afraid i can't tell you. at least until I check with Sophie. who should I say is waiting?" she said. she nodded as she got an answer and headed back into the room. feeling both guilty and relieved about a delay in seeing fi.
She stepped back into the room. and paused for a moment not wanting to interrupt the new mum too quickly. "um, Sophie, there is someone waiting for you outside. he sounds french and says he is called Etienne and was the person who brought you in today." she said trying to describe the man. "he seems really concerned about you and the baby and wants to know if you are okay." she paused no sure how to phrase everything well. "he says he understands if you don't want to see him. but wants to make sure that you are okay before he leaves. she said. pretty sure she had given all the information "what did you want me to tell him? or can i let him in" she said. Sophie was her patient, and her main concern, and she had the right to control who knew about her well-being. he had seemed sweet and caring but she didn't know the story and there had been no dad listed in and of her records. once she ad a response she headed out of the room again and passed on the message before making her way towards the nursery where her own daughter was waiting for her.
 
Sophie was very close now and she couldn't believe when it finally happened. Everything just seemed so surreal when she watched her baby girl in Rhiannon's arms. She allowed Rhiannon to check her over before finally scooping her up in her arms, holding her close as tears continued to fall down her face. She was relieved that it was over and that finally she had her daughter with her. She was going to look after her as best as she could and couldn't wait to introduce her to Selene and her family.

Rhiannon left the room and it didn't take long for her to come back with some news for her. Etienne was outside still waiting for her and Sophie couldn't help but gasp slightly, shocked that he had been waiting for so long. Nonetheless, she was excited and really wanted to see him. She wiped the tears off her face, suddenly insecure about how she looked as she nodded at Rhiannon. "Yes, let him in." she said, eager to introduce her daughter to Etienne as well.
 
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