Shelagh's pregnancy continued till she was full term with no issues except that was was missing all her appointments. The decorating of the knew house was well underway.
And there was the extra stress of the roll out of the contraceptive pill.
"I'm not at all content About there being a separate entrance for the Family contraceptive clinic!"Shelagh fumed.
Mia sighed. The clinic was a mess because of the new scheme but the board of health didn't consider how much extra work this gave the midwives and sister's due to poor planning on the board's part.
"I'm not terribly keen with but it's what the FCC have asked for,"Trixie replied sympathetically."Confidentiality is paramount apparently."
"Properly kept records are paramount. And we'll have women running in the side for contraception, Then we'll have women strolling down the middle corridor for their clinical appointments without anybody booking them in!" Shelagh said annoyed.
"There's hardly going to be hoarded if people going straight from family planning to antenatal," Trixie replied carefully.
"I was talking about mothers bringing the babies to clinic And your role as acting sister does not entitle you to be facetious!" Shelagh said before bursting into tears.
Mia handed her a handkerchief before hugging her tightly.
"I'm not taking any of this personally Sister Mia, Mrs Turner's obviously at the mercy of her hormones," Trixie told Mia who nodded in understanding.
"Tea and specially for you a pink wafer. Tim gifted them to me saying it might perk you up at clinics!" Mia said placing the cup and saucer on the table in front of Shelagh. "Now I know full well you haven't been to any classes because I've been running them with Nurse Standeven to give her the experience. Why haven't you come?"
"Because I'm a midwife," Shelagh said. Mia shook her head.
"Mum gave me your notes. You haven't decided where you want to deliver the baby," Mia informed her. "And you've missed 3 or more routine check ups."
"I'm not ill, I've never been any better!" Shelagh tried to convince her but Mia merely shook her head.
Mia knew the truth behind Shelagh's words.
"Your very good at hiding it but I know you've probably never felt more scared," Mia replied sympathetically.
Shelagh burst into tears and Mia wrapped her arms around her again and let her sob into her shoulder.
"You need help. You are too tired to continue doing this. You need to stop work. And once that's done you can start by choosing where you want to have the baby. And which one of us you want to deliver it; I'm sure I can guess who you'll choose though!" Mia said not leaving much room for discussion.
"I'll go get my hat, coat and bag. I'll go now!" Shelagh concluded. "Will you get somebody to tell Patrick?"
"Yes I will!" Mia told her and watched as she left the kitchen. Mia stood up and hurried over to Trixie.
"Shelagh's gone home!" Mia cheered.
"Well I don't know how you convinced her to do that but you are a miracle worker!" Trixie exclaimed.
That night Mia was sat in Tim's bedroom laying with her head in his lap.
"Mum's going to have the baby here," Tim informed her whilst he plaited her hair since she had taken her wimple off. "Dad isn't happy he thinks there's going to be to many complications because she's an elderly primigravida!"
"Don't let your mum hear you call her that. And if she's happy he should be too. We have no concerns about her delivering here naturally if that's what she's comfortable with!" Mia reiterated.
"She doesn't want him here when the baby is born," Tim added.
"He will fret to much and she knows that, I agree with her," Mia replied smiling up at Timothy.
"In 10 years this could be us," Tim suggested. He leant down and kissed her softly.
"Maybe. But we're not even allowed to court yet," Mia replied sadly as she sat up.
"Have you spoken to your mum yet?" Tim asked.
"I will but only after Barbara's wedding and your mum has the baby, those are much more important things than my religious crisis," Mia replied modestly. "Now kiss me good night or I'll miss handi crafts and Nana will kill me!"
He kissed her passionately as he watched her leave.
"In case anyone is unaware Nurse Franklin has been summoned to her secondment at Saint Cuthberts for days early all right for female medical not alright for us!" Phyllis informed them the following morning. Sister Winifred walked into the clinical room with a grin look on her face.
"i'm afraid there's been an outbreak of impetigo in Lisbon buildings," Sister Winifred said.
"Brilliant, just brilliant!" Mia huffed. "May I take over the rota then Phyllis?"
"Go ahead,"Phyllis told her.
"Nurse Standeven I think you have passed your trial period you can head to Lisbon buildings and deal with the impetigo there!" Mia added helpfully.
"Sister Winnefred the booking in list , Nurse dyer the postnatal round for you and Nurse Gilbert district nursing for you this week!" Phyllis reeled. "Sister Mia you and Sister Julienne are on call as other meant of the sisters!"
"Good morning!" Shelagh exclaimed cheerily. "I've brought today's insulin and soon as I've handed it over I'm officially off work until further notice. Meanwhile Sister Mia reminded me that as a midwife I can choose which colleague I like to have deliver my baby and after a great deal of thought I have chosen Sister Julienne and Mia in attendance!"
A day passed. The staffing issues were sorted. Mia and Sister Julienne were taken off call so they could attended to Shelagh when needed.
The following day Sisters Mia and Julienne went to deliver the delivery pack.
"The mother's at the clinic keep giving me bootees and matinee jackets. I could kit out an orphanage in white and lemon 3 ply!" Shelagh exclaimed sitting down beside Mia on the bed.
"There's more where that came from at Nonnatus house all of us Sisters have been busy during a recreational time. I'll bring it with me tonight when I visit for tea!" Mia assured Shelagh.
"Once Mia and I have seen to your checks I would like to try working on some relaxation exercises. I thought you might enjoy singing to help you during labour?" Sister Julienne suggested. Shelagh pulled a face.
"Yes remember that breath your way to serenity leaflet I gave you, or is that what's pinned up on the fridge with things written all over it?" Mia asked smugly.
"You never could still m," Sister Julienne said reminiscently. "Even when you first came to visit the postulant!"
"I was a baby then," Mia added as she continued to fold baby clothes.
Two days passed with little changed. It was a Friday. Mia came to the Turners opening the door with the spare key Tim had given her. She told Patrick she would watch Shelagh and help with Angela.
Patrick left just as Mia was preparing breakfast for Timothy and his sister. Mia knocked on Tim's door before popping her head around the door. Tim was gathering his stuff to put in his bag.
"Oh good morning Mia, sorry I didn't know you were coming," Tim apologised kissing Mia's forehead. "I've got to get off to school!"
"I know. Two weeks any you'll be done. Your lunch is on the table with a bacon sandwich to eat on the way to the bus stop. I think you might have to go to Nonnatus after school- your dad things today might be the day!" Mia informed Tim before ushering him out the room. She went next door and woke Angela and took her downstairs to have her porridge. She left Angela playing with dolls to go check on Shelagh who she found leaning against the window sill.
"You've rang my mum I assume?" Mia asked knowing the answer before she even asked the question. She wrapped an arm around the woman's waist. "Everything's alright- breathe slowly in and out, that's it you're doing splendidly Shelagh!"
It was an hour before Sister Julienne arrived due to the clinic being over run because Mia and Shelagh were both off.
"Sister Evangelina is on hand if we need her, how are we getting on?" Sister Julienne asked.
"She has made very little progress she is still in the first stage. Baby is lying with it's spine on Shelagh's. This means a longer labour," Mia explained to her mum. She stopped walking and rubbed Shelagh's back as another contraction washed over her. Mia
Shelagh screamed out and Mia raised an eyebrow of concern.
"Shelagh sit down so I can examine you," Mia said guiding her to the edge of the bed and spread her legs. Mia sipped on her elasticated gloves and had a feel of Shelagh's cervix.
"Baby isn't moving Shelagh, let's get you crouching on the floor and we'll see if that helps move baby if not we'll call for Sister Evangelina,"Mia suggested. Mia helped Shelagh to the floor and helped her bare down. After half an hour of the baby not moving Mia told her mum to ring for Sister Evangelina.
"Shelagh stay calm for me, that's alright. Pant for me!" Mia encouraged. Sister Evangelina barged in and immediately began with her instructions.
"She's in active labour but baby's not moving," Mia told her nana.
"Ok let's get her back on the bed and I'll examine her!" Sister Evangelina instructed
Mia went to guide Shelagh to the bed when her waters broke. The water splashed Mia's shoes and she smiled. She rested her hand on Shelagh's stomach and nodded at the other midwives present.
"Babies turned!" Mia announced.
Dr Turner walked in the house just as Mia walked down the stairs.
"She's asking for you," Mia informed the anxious father. She led him upstairs and took him in.
"Oh Patrick darling, please sit behind me!" Shelagh told her husband desperately. Patrick positioned himself behind her. Mia sat next to her mum ready to receive the baby.
On the next contraction Shelagh pushed down hard and the baby's head emerged.
"Push hard for the shoulders," Mia encouraged. "Good girl- well done, that's it, that's it, we have the shoulders!"
Shelagh pushed again and a lifeless baby sipped into her arms. Mia cursed silent mpg and began to rub the babies back with a warm towel.
Suddenly a shrill cry filled the room.
"You have a son Shelagh, a beautiful baby boy!" Mia exclaimed handing the baby to his awaiting mother.
"I will go to Nonnatus house and tell Tim and Angela the good news!" Mia exclaimed marching out the door.
Mia walked quickly to Nonnatus Barry stopping for breath. She opened the door and walked into the parlour.
"How is Shelagh?" Phyllis asked.
"Well and delivered. A baby weighing 7lbs 8 ounces!" Mia replied. She turned to Tim and Angela. "A baby brother. Edward Patrick is what they've named him!"
"Oh thank you!" Timothy exclaimed wrapping his arms around Mia's neck.
"Tim!" She whispered. "Careful! This isn't allowed!"
"It might be wrong but it should still happen because I love you!" Tim whispered. Mia nearly choked on air and rushed to her room.