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(Disclaimer) The following radio novella is a production of the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation and WNCU. Its reproduction without expressed permission from its authors is strictly prohibited. The health information presented in this program in no way substitutes the advice of a physician. For more information, call your doctor or dial 1-800-367-2229.

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Opening Narrator: In the previous episode of To Love is to Learn, Sofía del Castillo tells her cousin Ana María that she’s pregnant and her cousin gives her some health advice. Meantime, Ana María still doesn’t know who Laura is--a close co-worker of her husband Guillermo--but she is determined to find out…

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Ana María: Hello Ma’am. I’m looking for Guillermo Morales.

Office ambience

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Receptionist: Sure. your name?

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Ana María: His wife, Mrs. Ana María Morales

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Receptionist (SURPRISED): His wife?...  Alright, just a moment.

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Ana María: Hello

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Sofía: Hi Ana María. It’s Sofía. Are you busy?

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Ana María: Yes. I’m in Guillermo’s office. I came to surprise him and see if he has time to go out to eat with me.

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Sofía: That’s nice. Well, I’ll let you go then. But call me later so I can tell you how my first prenatal doctor’s visit went.

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Ana María: Certainly. I want to hear all about it. I’ll talk to you later, Sofía.

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Sofía: Good-bye.

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Guillermo: Ana María, my love, what a surprise. What are you doing here?

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Ana María: Visiting my hero. I came to see if you had time to join me for lunch.

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Guillermo: Of course. You came at a perfect time. I was just about to go eat. Incidentally, did you already meet Laura?

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Ana María: No, you haven’t introduced me to her.

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Guillermo: She’s the receptionist. Laura, meet Ana María, my wife.

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Laura (NERVOUS): It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.

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Ana María: The pleasure is all mine.

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Guillermo: Well, let me grab my sweater and we’ll be on our way.

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Ana María: Great. I’ll meet you right here, Guillermo.

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TRANSITION

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Javier: Ana María. Come in. It’s so nice to see you.

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Ana María: I’m dying to hear what the doctor told you.

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Javier: I must say, I learned a lot. I’ve been so excited ever since my lovely wife told me we were going to be parents.

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Ana María: And how many weeks pregnant is she?

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Javier: She’s three weeks into her pregnancy but...the doctor said that Sofía’s blood pressure is a little high and that we need to check it again in a couple of weeks.

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Ana María: Well...I don’t think we need to be alarmed because the doctor is already aware and any complication that may arise can be detected and treated early.

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Javier: You’re right. The doctor explained that’s one of the reasons it’s so important not to miss any prenatal appointments.

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Ana María: That’s right, Javier. All the prenatal visits are important; that’s how we know that everything is going okay and if something does go wrong, it can be discovered early. It’s a great thing you went to the doctor as soon as you found out Sofía was pregnant.

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Javier: And I’m glad the doctor checked her out from head to toe. But listen to this, the first few months...we have to go visit the doctor once-a-month. In the seventh and eighth month, twice-a-month; and in the last month, every week! Doesn’t that sound like too much?

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Ana María: No. That’s normal. You have to be very careful with how the pregnancy progresses and how the future mom feels. Also, I’m happy to see you accompanying Sofía. You speak better English and you can help her better understand the Dr.

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Javier: Yeah. I just hope the future visits aren’t as time-consuming as today’s. Otherwise, next time I’ll bring my knitting kit so I can knit the new baby a sweater.

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Ana María: You’re such a clown, Javier. The first doctor’s visit is always the longest because that’s when they ask about all your medical history and other things about your health. They also run some tests on the woman for things like anemia, HIV and other diseases. The rest of the appointments go by faster.

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Javier: Thank Goodness! But what else do they check during the other visits?

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Ana María: Generally, they measure her "belly", weigh her, check blood pressure, and take a urine sample to check her sugar and protein levels. With the tests, they can determine whether the pregnancy is going according to schedule or if there’s something that should be treated. Besides, during these visits, you can ask any questions you may have and clear up any concern you might have regarding the pregnancy.

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Javier: I see. And when will they do the ultrasound to determine the baby’s sex?

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Ana María: The ultrasound is generally done around the 19th week. That is, around the 5th month of pregnancy. Oh, but don’t tell me you want a boy…

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Javier: Of course, so he can play soccer with me. Honestly, the only thing I ask God is that the baby is born healthy--regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl.

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Ana María: Well, as the saying goes: “Help yourself and God will help you.” And if you want that child to be born healthy, then quit smoking soon or at least don’t smoke near Sofía and the baby.

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Javier: Yes Ana María. I’m already trying to quit...but it’s not easy!

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Ana María: I know. But there’s plenty of help to quit smoking. You already know that to love is to learn. And if you love your family, you’ll do it for your health and theirs. Right?

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Javier: Yes, of course. I want to live many years so I can be next to them and give them heck! Ha ha ha...

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Sofía: Ana María, I’m so happy you dropped by the house.

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Ana María: Yes, I wanted to hear all about how your prenatal doctor’s visit went. Javier was filling me in.

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Sofía: It went very well. Even though my blood pressure is a little high, the doctor said not to worry too much. Personally, I feel fine. Except I’m a little turned off by certain foods.

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Ana María: Being grossed out by certain foods or smells is normal. Eat crackers, salads, and drink water and you’ll feel better.

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Sofía: Alright. Now tell me how things went with Guillermo.

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Javier: Uh-oh. This is starting to sound like woman-talk or gossip. Therefore, if you all excuse me, I’m going to read up on what the doctor gave us.

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Ana María: It went very well. And guess what? I already met the woman, Laura.

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Sofía: And…?

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Ana María: Well, she seems nice enough. She told me she lives with her mom and that she’s been working there for a year.

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Sofía: So what else did she tell you?

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Ana María: Not much else because Guillermo got back and we had to stop talking. But she seems like a good girl.

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Sofía: Well, looks can be deceiving. So it’s best not to be too trusting until you know this person better.
Now it turns out she’s a mommy’s girl.

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Ana María: Oh Sofía. You’re so twisted. Why don’t you tell me more about how your doctor’s visit went instead?

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Sofía: Well, they drew blood from me and I almost fainted at the sight of it. I had to tell the nurse to hold me firmly....

Dialogue fades

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Narrator: Join us for our next episode of To Love is to Learn. Is Laura really to be trusted? What will happen with Sofía’s pregnancy? Don’t miss the next episode of To Love is to Learn.

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For more information about pregnancy and how to quit smoking, call the Family Health Resource Line of North Carolina at 1-800-367-2229.