Dr. STORKS (コウノドリ)

Each life that is born

is irreplaceable.

Every birth has its own life story.

Allowing parents to have closer bond with their children.

We help to spin out this life.

That is our job.

I found something about your mother.

I thought of meeting you to talk about it.

But if you're not comfortable knowing about the past

that is fine too.

I will carry it to the grave.

A letter sent by someone nostalgic.

It remains stuck at the back of my chest.

A small thorn causing a dull pain.

Yes, come in.

Excuse me.

Why are you here, Aizawa-san?

She's your patient, right? -Yes.

It has been decided for our perinatal center

to be featured in her company's magazine.

A feature?

Once again, I'm Aizawa from Iver Publisher.

Thank you. -After requesting an interview from Director

he agreed to it without hesitation.

Sit down. -Yes.

Here, here.

The article's called "In the Eyes of Pregnant Women! The forefront of perinatal care".

"In the Eyes of Pregnant Women!" Sounds like a suspense.

I thought about making a popular article.

So that it'll be easier for working women to report their pregnancies in company.

A countermeasure towards maternity harassment, right?

That's a good strategy.

By the way, why am I here?

To appeal to the public as a female doctor.

Glowing female workers in the hospital. -Glowing...

In short, an advertisement without spending money.

That's true.

I wonder why...

Hm?

Aizawa-san, let's take a look at the NICU first.

Yes.

The NICU is a place where intensive care is provided to babies.

There are this many babies who need treatment...

We don't think of it as treatment.

Together with the families

it's a place to raise the babies.

A place to raise children.

Papa and Mama are here... -Good afternoon.

I'm Moriguchi.

Please take care of it. -Thank you.

Moriguchi-san

Thank you always for sending the breast milk.

Since you're here, why not come inside?

Naoto-kun has grown a lot.

Doctor...

I...still can't sort out my feelings.

Naoto having Trisomy 18...

I don't know how to accept it.

I understand. That goes without saying.

Madam

Naoto-kun has become much stronger.

However, there might be a limit to the time he has left.

Naoto-kun's one day

may equal to our few months

or few years.

After you've calmed down, please

come anytime to visit with your husband.

Yes.

Dr. Imahashi, please come.

Excuse me.

Moriguchi-san

still can't meet him.

Excuse me...

Trisomy 18?

Moriguchi-san?

I've passed them the breast milk.

I see. -Listen, today Dr. Imahashi...

Let's go back.

Aren't you going to listen about Naoto's condition?

Dr. Imahashi said

His one day may

equal to our few months

or few years.

At the previous hospital, they kept telling us depressing things.

It was really painful.

But I think the doctors here are different.

Let's go meet him once.

I don't like it...

to leave things as it is and not seeing him.

Sorry.

Trisomy 18 is when an extra copy

of chromosome 18 is present when naturally, there should only be 2.

There are many cases of

initial miscarriages and heart defects among them.

Still, if they're born safely

they can also live for few months or years.

How does chromosomal abnormality occur?

Various factors have been studied but we still can't identify the exact cause.

But nowadays, before giving birth, you can do examinations first, right?

From just the blood test.

It's true that the new prenatal diagnosis has high accuracy

but it's dangerous just to judge based on that result.

Eh? -Although the results may come out good

if we don't carry out definitive tests such as amniocentesis

we can't say anything for sure.

Is that so? -Yes.

Besides, prenatal diagnosis

can't possibly discover every single malformation.

After birth, there are cases when unforeseen diseases are diagnosed.

BABY's live

may also end within a few minutes...

New prenatal diagnosis

Conditions to have the new prenatal diagnosis

Women who are over 35 years old with late-age births.

What should I do?

Oh...thanks for working till this late.

Thanks for your hard work.

Is it proceeding well?

The secret project that you're confident will definitely be a hit.

Yes, it's perfect.

You're covering Obstetrics and Gynecology? -Yes.

Well, it's fine to cover that

but please don't tell me something like, "I'm pregnant" later.

If even one person takes maternity leave, we won't have enough people.

Seriously, it's bothersome.

Can't believe she's taking maternity leave at that age.

So cute~

Ah~ it's Mei-chan. Why is she here?

She's here for the 1-year old medical examination.

She's grown so big~

Where's the father?

Papa has something to talk with the doctor

so she's waiting here~

Babies are seriously cute around this period of time. -Right?

Your mother would've wanted to hug you.

Actually...

I'm planning to let my mother take care of Mei at the countryside.

Eh?

The other day

I was proceeding with a huge negotiation

but I got removed from being in-charge.

"It's impossible for you. Switch with your junior."

For a salesman, it's about being in-charge of projects.

It's becoming harder for me to keep my eyes on Mei.

The other day, she accidentally ate some dessicant.

Accidental ingestion is common among children... -I ended yelling at her.

Unintentionally.

I think

it's my limit already.

Raising a kid alone

and working like this...

I know very well that I'm the only parent Mei has but

if I continue like this

someday...

I might bring misfortune to Mei.

I'm the worst, right?

Even though I've promised Harumi.

Moriguchi-san

I'm here today to see Naoto.

Thank you for coming. Please come in.

Sorry for making you listen to me grumble.

No, not at all.

Thanks to that, I've sorted my feelings.

After Harumi's first death anniversary here

I'll send Mei to my parents.

First anniversary...

That's fast.

Mei

will be 1 year old that day.

From now on

Mei will be reminded of her

mother's death anniversary on her birthdays.

Whenever I thought I should tell her that

I can't bring myself to.

Nagai-san

Please face it firmly and tell her

without running away.

On the day Mei-chan was born, how difficult it was

for you and Harumi-san to make the decision

it is your duty to tell her.

Please don't make it sound so simple.

It may become a heavy burden for Mei forever.

Me too...

It's the same for me.

Eh?

My mother stopped receiving treatment for her illness in order to give birth to me.

Because of that, she passed away not long after delivery.

What about your father?

I don't have one. He wasn't around from the beginning.

My mother shortened her life for my sake.

How my father felt...

I don't know.

So I want you to tell her properly.

The sincere wishes from the bottom of your and your wife's hearts regarding Mei's birth.

As long as she understands that

from now on, no matter what happens

I think she will live on strongly.

Naoto has grown bigger.

Compared to when he was born, he has gained 1000g.

Dr. Imahashi