There is a well known adage: "All good things must come to an end." Unfortunately, that saying came to apply as a result of an unfortunate episode during the third year of the marriage of Eino Tarvas and Vivian Laaning. When Vivian had learned that she was pregnant with the possibly to becoming the mother of two of her own blood children, it represented the apex of her marital happiness. Alas, it also marked the beginning of a spiral downward path which eventually led to the end of their marriage.
At Vivian's second visit to her gynecologist in Valga, the good doctor was most alarmed by her routine check on the state of her pregnancy. She advised Vivian, "I recommend you immediately check yourself in at the Tartu University Hospital. I'm going to provide a script you can present at the admittance desk to get you admitted immediately. This hospital is the largest provider of medical care in Estonia, and all of the fields practiced in the country are represented there. It also has an impeccable worldwide reputation so you will receive the greatest care possible."
Naturally, Vivian was most alarmed and asked, "What's wrong, doctor?"
"I'm not sure, but I detect some abnormalities in your pregnancy. That's why I want you to go to the hospital as they have all the modern equipment and the best doctors in Estonia to treat you properly."
"My husband is very busy at our farm. Do you think I'm capable of driving myself there?"
"Yes, I'm pretty sure, as your condition is not life threatening. The hospital is less than eighty kilometers away so you should be able to manage it on your own, but it would be preferable if you could have someone drive you there. In any case, please go as soon as you can."
Vivian dropped in at the farm to advise Eino of the alarming developments. Naturally Eino offered to drive her to the hospital, but Vivian declined the offer. Vivian optimistically answered, "No darling, I don't think it's necessary. I feel OK, and I'm sure all will be fine. You are more needed here at the farm, than to transport me to the hospital for what I'm sure will be only a short stay. I think by what the doctor has told me they'll just do some tests on me, to determine how best to deal with my pregnancy, which seems to have become a difficult one.
Thereupon, Vivian drove to the hospital in her Škoda sedan. After parking her vehicle, she appeared at the admittance desk. As a result of her doctor's prior authorization to the hospital, she was admitted immediately. A hospital bed was available and as she had arrived early enough, she was whisked away to the appropriate laboratory. There a couple of tests were administered before she was dispatched and returned to her hospital room. Eino appeared that night for an hour's visit. Unfortunately, there was at that point nothing to report, as the doctors had not appeared with an analysis of the tests. There would be three more tests scheduled for the next day, so her stay at the hospital would extend likely to a third day.
Just before dawn, Vivian miscarried and lost as it turned out her potential son. She was devastated and inconsolable. The nurse attending her was understandably empathetic and successful in bucking her spirits. She pointed out to Vivian that there was a battery of more tests to be conducted that day. That way they will possibly be able to get to the bottom of why she miscarried, and what could be done about it for the future. With such encouragement, Vivian was able to get through the morning and afternoon and underwent the various tests.
By late afternoon, the doctor who was in overall charge of her care during her stay in the hospital, had truly horrible news to convey. Her miscarriage was caused by an intrauterine fetal demise. In her situation, an embryo formed but stopped developing and died. In addition, the tests also revealed that her fallopian tubes had become severely scarred and blocked which cannot be corrected by surgery. Thus, she would not from hereon in be able to conceive and become pregnant.
If that morning's miscarriage was devastating to Vivian's psyche, the news of her sudden newly developed state of infertility sapped her spirit. She broke down and started sobbing fervently. To the credit of his compassion, the doctor remained in Vivian's presence awaiting the time for Vivian to regain her composure. As soon as Vivian became aware of the doctor's forbearance, she was able to put her misery aside, and asked, "In that case can I leave? Can I be discharged? I mean there's nothing more you can do for me now is there?"
The doctor answered, "Yes, you can be discharged if you so desire. You are right that there is no medical procedure we can undertake to improve your medical situation. However, I can allow you to stay overnight here. I can order a very effective sedative which should provide you a peaceful overnight sleep rest and thereby you'll be better equipped to cope with your condition tomorrow."
Vivian answered, "Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness and concern doctor. I'm grateful and very impressed by the health care I was afforded by you and the hospital's staff. I think there's no real benefit to delay facing the reality of my medical condition by staying the night here. Besides I'm cognizant that my bed is better served to avail for another patient in a more medical distress than I."