24 Wochen Page #5

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to take a deep breath

and let the storm pass by

and then everything will be fine.

I just have this feeling

he's not even trying

to understand how I feel.

I am, but I don't get it.

I hear what you're saying, but...

But I...

I just want to take a look

at all the options again...

together, without any pressure.

We can do our very best

to make sure the child has a good life.

But you can't dictate everything!

That's what you're doing:

dictating whether our baby lives or dies.

To get through this as a couple,

you have to stop attacking each other,

but still be honest.

Okay, let's be honest then.

Okay?

This is why she doesn't want the child:

besides her other excuses,

she's worried about her damn career.

This may sound a little harsh:

Ultimately it's your wife's decision.

That's the law.

We don't care about the law.

The law! It's my child too

and I'm also responsible.

Yes, but...

- No buts! We decide everything together.

Is it your decision or our decision?

It's ours.

Or not?

Is it yours or...

- It's mine.

Mr. Hger, please control yourself!

- What?

Markus, leave her alone!

- Are you okay?

You should...

Okay...

Mom! Where are you going?

- Go back inside, Nele.

No! What's going on?

Why are you taking a suitcase?

I'm just having a few tests.

- You never tell me anything!

Why do you have a suitcase?

- I told you!

Hey... Give me the key.

I'll be back in two days.

But the suitcase...

- It's cold. Go inside now.

But, Mom!

Why do you and Dad

never tell me anything?

Go inside, Nele.

Your brother's really ill.

His heart isn't okay.

And...

It's not like yours.

It has a hole in it.

It's not pumping

enough blood around his body.

Sometimes nature does stuff like that.

I don't think he'll have a nice life.

Nele.

Want some scrambled eggs?

I'll make some.

Thank you.

Go on now. Go inside to Dad.

Hello, Ms. Lorenz.

Dr. Berrached.

I'll be looking after you, Ms. Lorenz,

and will carry out the procedure.

We have to take into account

that you're 24 weeks pregnant,

so we're talking about a child

that weighs 1.5 pounds.

So we can't carry out

a standard termination

because it's extremely likely

that the child will be born alive.

The procedure involves

injecting a drug into the child,

which stops its heart very quickly.

And then after that,

we'll induce the birth.

A needle is injected into your belly,

like when you have an amniocentesis.

Hello, this is Markus Hger's

business number.

I'll call you back ASAP.

Do you remember

my show at the Pepper Mill?

It was pouring with rain outside.

You were in the audience

with maybe seven other people.

I twisted my ankle in my high heels

while walking off stage.

Boy, did I curse!

But you just clapped on like crazy,

as if it were all part of the program.

You were backstage

and looked into my eyes.

While you were standing there,

I so wanted you to ask me...

I'd have done it in an instant.

Married you.

Good morning, Ms. Lorenz.

Morning.

You can just leave it there.

Take the pills afterwards.

Good morning.

- Good morning.

Can I sit down here?

- Sure.

I'm Yvonne, I'm a midwife and I'll be

caring for you over the next few hours.

Have you done this a lot?

- Not a lot.

But a few times.

And the women you've cared for... How...

Afterwards... How did they deal with it?

It varies a lot.

It depends

on whether you're able to let go.

What happens to the child afterwards?

I'll lay the baby on your chest,

so you can say goodbye.

I definitely don't want that.

I think it'd be important for you.

I'd rather say goodbye

to my child beforehand.

I'll do it beforehand.

The baby will be here

for another 24 hours

in case you change your mind.

I'll also take some photos

and make some foot prints.

I'll put them in an envelope

and you can decide

if you ever want to open it.

But we won't be able

to bring the baby back.

Is it moving?

- Yes.

I've been trying so hard the whole time

not to feel it moving.

Maybe it's trying to say goodbye too.

You think so?

- And to tell you that it's okay.

What would you do in my position?

It's impossible to know

until you're faced with the decision.

No one can make it for you

and no one should judge you for it.

I wish I could have decided differently.

- I believe you.

But I just couldn't. I can't.

Maybe I'm not strong enough.

You are incredibly strong.

- Or maybe I'm too scared.

I just hope I'm doing the right thing.

For the child.

For all of us.

I'll see you in the delivery room.

- Okay.

How are you?

How long are you staying?

Until the end.

I'm doing it for me as well.

It's not just for the child.

It's for me as well.

I don't want to live like...

- It doesn't matter why.

You can't do it.

Nothing else matters.

Hello. Professor Gerber.

If you could just lie down here, please.

Here, please.

Move over a little.

Move to the side a bit. A bit more.

I'll need your arm in a moment.

Now clench your fist, please.

This might feel a bit cold.

Now you'll feel a little prick.

All done.

Hello, Ms. Lorenz.

Berrached.

Are you ready?

I need to ask:

Do you still want to go ahead?

Yes.

- Okay.

I'll do an ultrasound first,

just to see if everything's okay.

You don't have to look at the screen now.

Technically, everything's in order.

The child is lying head-first.

So now we can start the procedure.

Is everything okay?

Okay. So, now I need the anesthetic.

Ms. Lorenz, I'm giving you a small,

local anesthetic. It's just a pinprick.

Like an injection at the dentist.

Okay, great.

Nearly done.

You might feel some pressure.

Now we'll wait for half a minute.

Are you okay?

Now I'm going

to give you the actual injection.

Try to breathe normally.

I know this is real tough, but...

That's good.

Okay, good.

You're doing great.

Okay. Let's start.

We're done.

Oh, how wonderful!

And how big is it?

I don't think I can do it.

You can either tell people

what really happened

or say it was a miscarriage.

A lot of people do that.

Most people.

You could tell your family and friends

one thing and everyone else another.

After all,

you're in the public eye, Ms. Lorenz.

The cat's in the garden again.

Really? The black one?

That'll make Nele happy.

I thought it'd run off.

Why do you have to do it?

What good will it do?

And have you thought

about how it'll affect Nele?

You look good.

Your first show is coming up soon.

Are you nervous?

I'd be lying if I said no.

Last year,

you made an important decision.

90% of all women in your position

make the same decision.

But these women don't talk about it

and you're going public. Why?

Well, I can't have a big mouth on stage

and then keep it shut in real life.

I made this decision.

I don't know if it was right or wrong.

Probably a bit of both.

I aborted my child

when I was seven months pregnant.

I miss you.

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