Bette: (cutting in)”I feel like she doesn’t want me involved at all.”

Dr. Wilson: “Well ,Tina, are you keeping Bette from making any decisions?”

Tina: “No…”

Dr. Wilson: “Do you want Bette involved?”

Tina: “Of course….do you think these issues would be better worked out with a therapist?”

Dr. Wilson: “That would be something you two have to decide. But I can say that I’ve counseled many couples during their first-time pregnancy, including ***** couples, and if you want to do this together the you have to be in it together. Tina, it sounds like you are a bit unwilling to meet Bette in the middle. You both have to be willing to compromise. This is only the beginning, as this child is born and grows up, decisions affecting this child will have to be made and you two can’t squabble over petty differences….remember this isn’t only about you.”

Both women nod in agreeance as Dr. Wilson continues.

Dr. Wilson: “Tina, I want you to understand that just because Bette can’t physically fertilize your egg it makes her no less of a parent. You should consider her the “father”, for lack of a better word, because once this baby is born she will have as much claim to it as any parent of blood relation.”

Dr. Wilson: “I have one other option you may want to consider that would make the donor decision a little easier. There is a procedure, used sometimes for surrogate mothers, where we would take an egg from Bette and fertilize it with the sperm from you donor choice. Then, we would implant the fertilized egg in the lining of your uterus and you would be able to give birth to a child born of the both of you. Though the child would likely carry on more of Bette’s physical aspects, myself and many other physicians believe, that the child takes on many other charactersitics of the birthmother because it is her blood that courses it veins and nourishes it throught the nine months of development. But also because there is a bond between a child and it’s birthmother that cannot be replicated. I think this type of procedure would suit two people in your situation well. I must tell you, while the risks involved are relatively few, it is a very expensive procedure and can be frustrating because it may take several implantation sessions for one to take. I would recommend the two of you not make a decision now. You should discuss this and let me know what you decide to do.”

Tina: “I would definitely like to consider this, Bette?

Bette: “Me, too, thank you for your time, Dr. Wilson.”

Dr. Wilson: “You’re welcome and good luck to the both of you.”

Bette and Tina leave the clinic deep in thought and begin a silent ride home.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>