April (2024)

[bunniefuu]

- Cranes...

- Are flying...

- Where to?

- Far away.

How many?

Five.

- One,

- Two,

- Three,

- Four,

Five.

I got you! I got you!

Nina.

Nina.

Where are you going?

APRIL

Do what I tell you.

Deep breath.

Breathe.

It started?

You'll give birth in a moment.

Breathe.

Open your mouth, breathe.

Slowly.

Reduce the IV.

Slow down the IV.

Slowly, slowly, slowly.

One, two, three.

You're a good girl. Push!

One, two...

He's out!

Little more!

Push, my girl, push.

Push!

Push!

One, two, three.

Do what I tell you, it's almost over!

Push! He's out! He is out!

Help me!

It's all good, you made it!

My baby.

He isn't crying.

He's not crying.

I am so sorry.

You are sorry now.

Nina.

This young man demands,

as he is entitled to do,

to know exactly

what happened, and why.

I understand.

I'll try to explain what happened,

step by step.

She had not registered her pregnancy.

So, she was not being monitored

by routine check-ups and testing.

So it's our fault, then?

This is not productive.

He has already called

for a police investigation.

After the investigation,

we will know everything that happened.

She was fine when we came in.

What happened?

I did everything in my power.

Then why did my baby suddenly die?

Believe me, we all feel your pain.

I am a father of two, in fact.

Why wasn't my mother allowed in the room?

We have strict policies on who can

be present in labor and delivery.

To ensure a sterile environment,

only medical personnel are allowed.

No exceptions.

I understand your questions.

Your loss is incomprehensible.

We will do everything in our power

to get answers for you.

If I had known it would be her,

I'd have done all I could

to keep her away from my wife.

Nina is our leading OB-GYN specialist.

She has delivered thousands of babies.

This is the first case of...

I don't know if another doctor

would have been more effective.

I don't know what I would have done.

When there are complications

during delivery,

we always bring in Nina.

There is no point

in casting blame around right now.

David,

I'm asking you to supervise the inquest

into what happened.

Trust me, no one is trying

to avoid responsibility here.

I am following

numerous patients right now.

I know, David.

I will personally clear your schedule.

Well then, please excuse me.

I have to go,

I have patients waiting for me.

I'll be right back.

I know you give ab*rtion

in the villages.

You're a m*rder*r.

Come. Come.

Come. Come with me.

I'll feed you.

Hello.

Hello.

Get in, I'll give you a ride.

Heading up to the village?

Up to the lake,

but I can drop you in the village.

Okay.

Are you from around here?

No, I'm not.

I'm visiting a relative.

When we were kids we vacationed here

with my sister and our parents.

At those fish farming lakes

that have really muddy water.

It's dangerous.

We weren't allowed to go swimming.

I was 11 or 12...

when my sister and I

snuck out to the lake.

My sister got right into the water.

She got stuck in mud

and was unable to get out.

I was so afraid

that I would fall into the mud

that I did not dare

to enter the water to help her.

I didn't dare run home to call for help.

I was scared to leave her alone.

I just sat there and cried.

I was terrified

she would drown in the mud.

But worse, filled with shame

that I was too scared

to get in and help her.

Did she drown?

No.

She's a happy mother of two.

Do you want me to blow you?

Go ahead.

I'm tired.

What's your name?

Are you mute now?

Lick me.

Come in.

Can I come inside?

Yes, of course.

I came to ask for your help.

If anyone else leads the investigation,

they'll just use it

as an excuse to fire me.

But I don't need your protection.

I didn't make any mistakes.

I just want a fair investigation.

Whatever your conclusion is,

I trust your judgement.

You're the only person I trust here.

I trust your professionalism

and knowledge.

Why didn't you do a C-Section?

She didn't want one.

And I have no right to force it on her.

She wasn't in any condition

to make that choice.

I had no time.

Couldn't wait for test results.

It was an unregistered pregnancy.

She hadn't been seen

by anyone for six months.

The safest choice for her

and her baby was a C-section.

You knew this.

Yes.

But the mother wanted a natural birth.

Nina, she wasn't in her right mind.

I've delivered many babies this way,

with no fetal monitoring prior.

Through pre-term labor too.

Had you chosen to do a C-Section,

we could have avoided all of this.

You wouldn't need to take responsibility.

All these rumors

going around about you...

He's looking for a reason to fire you.

Preferably, based on my report.

I didn't make a mistake.

Other than my job,

I have nothing to lose.

Let's see what I can do.

How have you been?

I have been fine.

Do you have someone?

No.

No lovers?

No relationships in eight years?

No.

You were always irrational.

We were young.

Those rumors about ab*rtion.

If they're true,

you're throwing your life away.

No one will thank you,

and no one will defend you.

I know.

You never let me...

help you.

That woman was relieved

the child was dead.

She was so tranquil and peaceful.

Don't repeat that nonsense

to anyone, okay?

Thank you for finding time.

Please have a seat.

Where are the kids?

Everybody is in the field.

It seems she's pregnant.

She missed her period.

Just one month?

I can't remember if she had it last month

but I'm certain she missed it this month.

Mzia, we are going to destroy

her physical and mental health this way.

If she has this child,

we can't stay in the village.

I swear,

I don't know who gets her pregnant.

I don't know how she sneaks out.

I always keep her by my side.

I understand.

But it is her right to become a mother.

Don't you agree?

If my husband finds out

that someone got her pregnant,

I don't know what he would do.

We will have to leave this place.

It's such a shame.

What about the pills I had suggested?

If she takes pills,

we won't need ab*rtion anymore.

Will she take the pills?

She'll forget.

She won't do it daily.

Why don't you try the pill as well?

Look at how exhausted you are

with all the work at home

and all the children.

Only as many as God gives me.

If you take the pill,

it will stay between us.

I can't take the pill.

She can't either.

Come on.

Take this off.

And this too.

Stop it. Stop it.

I'm here, don't be afraid.

Stop it.

Mzia, this is more

than a month pregnancy.

The embryo is bigger.

Mzia, do they talk about me

in the village?

I don't know.

Can I offer you coffee?

No,

I have to see other patients

in the villages.

When can you come back?

I'll see what I can do.

Please try to relax.

It's not going to hurt.

Relax the leg.

Good.

Put your legs down.

Okay, go get dressed.

Come, sit down.

Your mom called me.

She's worried

that you're not pregnant already.

Let's look into your medical records.

Khadija Ismailova, 16 years old.

Date of marriage, December 2022.

Khadija, do you want to be a mother?

Really?

You're so young,

you can also wait a bit.

In five years?

You're healthy.

But your body is just not ready yet.

Do you really want a child now?

I was washing myself

with the laundry soap after sex.

A friend told me

that I would not get pregnant this way.

Listen.

Soap and things like that

won't save you from pregnancy.

How old is your husband?

Seventeen.

He wants to have kids?

Yes.

Do you go to school or did you drop out?

I go to school.

There are pills...

When a woman takes those pills,

she won't get pregnant.

I'll give you these pills,

but don't tell anyone, okay?

No one should know about it.

You need to take them daily.

But when you want to have a child,

you stop taking the pill

so you can get pregnant.

They can't find out?

They will bring you to me for check-ups.

You need to take this every day.

After breakfast.

You eat, then you take a pill.

If you feel nauseous, sick...

You need to tell me.

Alright?

You promise

you'll tell me if you feel sick?

I do.

No one should know I gave you these pills.

Or both of us will get in trouble.

This needs to be our secret.

You promise?

I promise.

Take this.

Did you use forceps?

I did not.

Could it have been physical trauma?

No.

How many weeks?

Thirty weeks.

Alright, let me look.

Let's first check the lungs.

This test will show

if he was able to inhale.

Everything is already clear here.

The lung tissue is not fully formed.

C-section is the protocol here.

We still need to check everything.

Please register:

Newborn male.

Preterm labor.

Gestation, 30 weeks.

Preliminary postmortem examination

of lungs show...

newborn respiratory distress syndrome.

Thank you for agreeing to do it.

If they fire you,

who will I stay here with?

People here

only work for salaries and benefits.

Nina, aren't you scared that someday

you'll get caught and lose it all?

No one wants to do ab*rtion.

But someone has to do it.

Why should it be you? Let others do it.

You know that this is how nurses

make money on the side.

If something goes wrong,

can the nurse save the patient?

They can get ab*rtion in Tbilisi.

But some cannot go to Tbilisi.

Others have to

keep the pregnancy secret.

Or can't afford the pill.

How can I deny them?

I am sure that you understand me.

Sooner or later,

the legislation will change.

Aren't you sending letters

to the Ministry?

Do they ever respond to you?

Do you have a shift tonight?

No.

The hospital is hosting

a concert this week.

All the children of personnel

are performing.

My wife is at home rehearsing

with all the kids.

They're singing.

Nico has a talent for music

like his mother.

Finally, someone being raised

not to be a doctor in our family.

I probably should not say this, but...

there are days when I miss you...

like I miss my childhood.

Why didn't you marry me?

Why do we keep talking about this?

You have to explain it to me

at some point.

It would never have worked out.

There's no space for anyone in my life.

And why is that, Nina?

Aren't you happy with your life?

In general, yes.

If you don't want a man in your life,

at least have a child.

Do you pity me?

It would change a lot for you.

How is your sister?

Does she come to see you?

No,

she vacations in Europe

when she has the time.

Madame!

Come here!

We have better cows here.

What are you looking at?

Good girl.

I think she really needs

something from us.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Can you wash my car next?

Yes, give me two minutes.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Mzia, tie this please.

Thank you.

She'll be out in a second.

There's no one you suspect?

Who could it be?

No.

- Her legs are too tense.

- Calm down.

She needs to relax.

Calm down.

I need to do the injection.

Take a deep breath.

Breathe.

She's too tense, Mzia,

she needs to relax.

This hurts.

One more minute and we're done.

I'll clean you and then you can get up.

I won't stay for long.

My car got stuck in the mud.

I'll leave as soon as the rain stops.

In all this mud?

You won't be able to get your car out.

Come, sit with us.

Mzia.

Mzia!

Bring a plate out for our guest.

Thank you.

Come, come.

Mzia, I'm not hungry.

Please, not too much.

This is the woman

who helped deliver all of you.

She's a doctor.

Thank you.

Mzia, come sit with us.

I'll be there in a second.

I was just checking in

on some patients in the villages.

But I must get back to the hospital.

I have a shift coming up later.

It's not going to stop before dawn.

Where are you going all alone

in this weather?

It's dangerous.

What should I be scared of?

You might fall in the mud somewhere.

We're not worthy

of asphalt and paved roads.

But we have this new school now

that looks like a spaceship.

Mzia.

Mzia! Come here.

What are you doing in there?

Come sit with us.

Let them handle it for once.

They need to sleep.

They have school early tomorrow morning.

What are they even going to school for?

What are they studying?

I'll help you with the car.

Help me remove this.

Do your feet feel warm yet?

Fix it please.

Good.

Thank you.

- Did your legs warm up?

- Yes.

- Both of them?

- Yes.

Let's see your blood pressure.

Help me.

Move towards me.

Sopo, how do you feel?

I'm well.

Come closer.

Is she on her way?

Come in.

Hello.

Have you heard the news?

I have not, I just started my shift.

The police were here this morning

and wanted to speak with you.

A young woman was m*rder*d

in one of the nearby villages.

The autopsy showed

that she'd recently had an ab*rtion.

Neither the pregnancy

nor the procedure was registered.

Do you know anything about this woman?

What's her name?

She's deaf-mute.

How did it happen?

She had been sexually abused

by her sister's husband for years.

How did he k*ll her?

Do you need details?

Okay, calm down now.

We can't change what happened.

Did she die right away?

You want to know the exact time of death?

He deserves

the highest level of punishment.

Nina.

Did you perform the ab*rtion?

Yes, I did it.

What about this hospital?

Did you even consider the consequences?

They'll scrutinize every single ab*rtion

you have ever performed.

I can't speak about any others.

I can only discuss

this particular woman, this one patient.

If you confess to this one,

you'll have to say more.

They will make you

give them everyone's names.

We'll both spend

the next five years with detectives.

You'll have no more patients,

and no one will give you a job.

Anywhere.

Even if you're not arrested, Nina,

your life will be ruined.

And I will have to

assume responsibility with you.

I'll do whatever you tell me to.

Nina,

do you understand how laws work?

If you want to work,

you have to obey the rules.

Sometimes, the law may go

against our moral beliefs.

But it's nonetheless the law.

If it's not me, it'll be someone else.

Come in.

Should we come sit down?

Hello.

Shall we start?

Irma Iasalashvili, 18 years old.

Patient was not registered

in the consultation program,

therefore there is no record

or information.

Regarding the antenatal period,

diagnosis upon entering the ward:

Gestation thirty weeks,

cephalic presentation,

preterm labor,

turbid, cloudy amniotic fluid.

Male newborn,

weight: 1,450 grams,

40 centimeters long, in asphyxia.

Despite resuscitation efforts,

newborn death recorded

five minutes post birth.

The 10th of April, 2023.

3:30 in the afternoon.

Pathoanatomical diagnosis:

Principal: postnatal hypoxia

of a premature, hypotrophic newborn.

First complication: acute hypoxia,

massive aspiration of amniotic fluid,

primary atelectasis of the lungs.

No central nervous system function,

and acute focal bleeding,

intracerebral hemorrhages.

Swelling around the brain:

subarachnoid hemorrhages,

lack of circulation to endocrine glands

and parenchymal organs.

Second complication: prenatal hypoxia.

Underdevelopment of the lungs

with persistence

of focal vascular structures.

Dystrophic changes

in the brain and parenchymal organs.

Third concomitant:

bilateral polycystosis,

Potter's face, lung hypoplasia

Cause of death

of premature hypotrophic newborn is:

Postnatal hypoxia in the presence

of massive amniotic fluid aspiration

and primary pulmonary atelectasis

which developed

during chronic prenatal hypoxia

alongside hypotrophy

and fetal growth restriction.

In thanatogenesis,

the presence of multiple abnormalities,

lung hypoplasia

and bilateral polycystosis, is important.

Postscript: the patient was unregistered

so no imaging was done prior to labor.

In the condition of congenital defects,

induction or delivery is mandatory

before 22 weeks of gestation.

Signed, Forensic Pathologist

Tengiz Nanobashvili,

the 17th of April, 2023.

Perhaps God sends us hardships...

so we learn to overcome despair.