I felt so bad waking Jack up and now making him worried. It's kinda late here, which meant he was probably living in the early morning of a day. However, I knew this was better then not telling him till after all this.

“Fuck,” I hissed as another shot of pain went through my back, staying there for a bit.
“Are you alright sweetheart?” Joyce asked, looking over at me from the driver's seat.
“Oh yeah, just peachy. My back just feels like its burning and my legs are starting to go numb.” I chuckled, trying to be more funny than bitchy.
“Haven't you bee having issues with your legs for awhile?” Joyce asked, and I sighed and nodded.
“Sometimes they're numb or feel like their filled with pin and needles lately, but I thought that was normal. Same with mild back pain, but now it's really starting to hurt.”
“You should have said something earlier.”
“Like I said, I thought this was normal.” I whined, leaning back. “I don't think it's early labor, by the way. While you were on your way I looked up what contractions felt like. This isn't really it at all.”
“Really?”
“Mmhm,” I said, rubbing my tummy. Melody, what are you doing? “It's all in my lower back and legs.”
“Well, we'll see what the doctor says.

When we got to the hospital, the moment the nurse heard 'pregnant' and 'back pains' she ushered for me to get in a wheel chair, and someone came out to move me to a different part of the hospital. Joyce, thankfully, was allowed to follow. As we went, the nurse asked me what the pain was like, anything else I was feeling or felt that needed to be known. I explained that my legs were involved, and how I've been feeling for the past few days, and she seemed to be thinking over what those things could be.

When we got to the room, she rushed out saying she was going to get me a doctor as soon as possible. Joyce sat down in a chair and reached to hold my hand. I smiled at her, appreciating the gesture, but I was starting to get nervous. What could this be? I had automatically assumed these were contractions, but I don't think that's the case anymore. I just hoped Melody was okay, Jack and I just found out that she was....well a she. It was the best thing for us right now, our baby had a name. She was something real, something to look forward to, the last thing I ever want is for something to be wrong with her.

“Mrs. Barakat?”
“Yeah?” I asked, looking up to find an older gentleman in white, Clearly the doctor.
“So, I understand you're having extreme back pains?”
“I don't know abot extreme, but it does hurt like hell.” I said, and doctor smiled nodding.
“The nurse also mentioned you said something about your legs?”
“Yeah, sometimes the back of my thighs hurt with the back pain, or their just numb, or it;s like needles in my legs.”
“I see.” He wrote those things down. “Well, I'm pretty sure I know what's wrong.”
Already? What is it? Is my baby okay?” I asked, nervous and he gave me a reassuring smile.
“Relax ma'am,” He said calmly. “Your baby should be just fine, I think it mi-”
“She.” I piped up. I refuse to have Melody called an 'it.'
“She.” He corrected. “Might be pressing against this nerve in your spine causing you to have sciatica.”
“Scia-what?” I asked.
“Basically, your sciatic nerve is being pinched in a way, causing these pains. It's kinda hard to treat with pregnancy since it's the baby doing it and not a out of place dick or inflammation. Usually I would suggest you take ibuprofen, but seeing as your pregnant, that's not a good idea.”
“So what do you suggest, doctor?” Joyce asked, and he went to his drawers.
“Well, thankfully I have pamphlets on this kind of thing with suggestions.” He took out the paper. “They say things like how you should try sitting or laying in positions that stretch your spine, alternate between walking and laying, and not to sit too much unless it feels better.”
“How long will this last?” I asked, wincing at the thought of going through this for the rest of my pregnancy.
“Hopefully not over twelve weeks.” He said. “Is your husband around? You might need to rest more than usual for a bit.”
“He's um...away for business.” I said.
“I can take care of her doctor.”
“Alright,” he handed her the pamphlet. “I suggest you just rest today since the pain seems to be so bad, but don't worry about your baby being in danger of anything.”
“Okay.” I went to get out of the wheelchair, but the doctor stopped me.
“We'll wheel you out dear, oh, and I'm going to ask the nurse to order you this sort of belt that will help take some of the weight of your belly off your back. It's in the pamphlet and it might help out a lot.”
“Alright.” I said, relaxing back into the chair. “Thank you so much doctor....”
“Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds.” He said, shaking my hand. “Let's get you back home to rest now.”

Joyce was the one to push me out until a nurse took over in the lobby and followed Joyce to her car. Once I was in, and comfortable, she suggested I hang out at her, and my dad's house for the night and tomorrow. I agreed to it, and went to dig out my phone so I could called Jack and hopefully ease his sure to be shot nerves. It was getting close to midnight here, poor Jack must still be up even though it's like, six am there.

Dialing his number, I didn't have to wait long for an answer.

“Ember? What's going on? How it go? Do I need to come home?”
“Jack, it's fine. Our baby is fine and-”
“What about you? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it's just pregnancy induce sciatica-”
“What's that? Is it permanent? Fatal? Should-”
“Jack!” I yelled, getting him to shut up. “It's just the baby pinching some nerve in my spine and making my lower back and legs hurt. It should go away in the next few to twelve weeks.”
“Twelve weeks? That's like, a month after I get back!”
“I know, but it should be fine, the doctor gave me some ways to help ease the pain and heal up faster.”
“Are you sure you're okay?
“Yes, babe. I'll live.” I smiled, “You need to get some rest.”
“I don't know if I can knowing you're in pain and so far away.”
“Joyce is taking care of me for the day tomorrow. I know you've been up since you called, but just be glad no one is dying or having severe issues here. It's gonna be fine.”
“If you say so...”

“I do, now please don't worry too much.” I looked up to see we were almost to Joyce's house. “I need to go and try to get some sleep myself. Please don't stress out.”
“I'll try, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Call me if anything else happens? And tomorrow night? Actually, maybe I'll call you when-”
“Jack. Bed.” I chuckled. “Goodnight.”
“Okay, okay. I just....I worry. I love you. Good night.”

I returned the “I love you” before hanging up. Hopefully this gets better sooner rather than later. I'd hate for Jack to be constantly on edge when he's home. As we parked, I gently rubbed my stomach, mumbling to Melody about how she needs to stop worrying her father.

Notes

Well, at least it's not premature labor. Poor Jack is going to freak if anything else happens.