Chapter 6

"Did you say something, Martin? I didn't catch it if you did." Louisa looked at him and waited for a reply.

"No, I was just thinking about the appointment. Dr Lewis will carry out the same pregnancy test we have done, but there will be an ultrasound scan, blood tests and a general assessment of your current fitness. Bearing in mind your recent anaemia they will check that also." He explained.

"You said I was back to normal now, though, Martin".

"So you were, the last time I tested you. They will want to look for themselves to make sure you haven't slipped back. I've sent your notes across to Dr Lewis and he will have looked at them before today's appointment."

Arriving at the Wadebridge surgery with ten minutes to spare, Louisa went to Reception and introduced herself. She was given a new patient form to fill in and told that her appointment time was still on schedule. She went to sit by Martin and filled in the form, before handing it back to the receptionist.

Looking around the waiting room she could see that it was bigger than Martin's and that there were signs to more rooms along the corridor.

"Mrs Ellingham? Doctor will see you now. Turn right into that corridor and Dr Lewis' room is second on the left."

Martin and Louisa got up and walked along the corridor. She took hold of his hand and gave it a slight squeeze, before taking a deep breath and entering the surgery.

Dr Lewis rose to his feet and greeted them. "Mrs Ellingham, Dr Ellingham welcome to Wadebridge surgery." Lewis was of medium build, dark haired and about 55 years old. Louisa relaxed as she saw his pleasant countenance and her own smile was readily forthcoming.

"Please take a seat in front of the desk and I'll ask you some general questions. Are you happy to have your husband present, Mrs Ellingham?" Dr Lewis asked.

Louisa blinked at this, "Of course, he's a GP in his own right. We've just got married and so he can no longer be my doctor."

"This is something I ask all my patients, Mrs Ellingham. Some people are not comfortable with their spouse being present at a medical examination."

Louisa looked at Martin and he nodded, acceptance.

"So, are you in good health generally, and I see from your notes that you have recently been treated for anaemia? Is that now under control?"

Louisa explained her general health and confirmed her belief that her iron deficiency was now under control. "I've taken a pregnancy test and it showed a positive result. However, Martin said that there could be other conditions which would give a false positive?"

Dr Lewis agreed that occasionally this did happen but the tests he would do today would prove conclusively yes or no.

Louisa told him that she'd brought in a urine sample, and handed it over.

Dr Lewis called in his Practice Nurse and asked her to draw some routine blood samples and then check the urine sample. The nurse, whose name was Sandra Trelawny, was efficient and gentle taking the bloods with a minimum amount of fuss.

Louisa was asked to stand on the scales to be weighed, and then her height was checked. Dr Lewis rapidly calculated her BMI (body mass index) and pronounced himself satisfied. He asked if she'd had all her childhood vaccinations, and have you had any other type?

"I've had all the usual childhood vaccinations, but nothing extra. I decided not to have the flu jab until I'm older." She explained. She saw Martin looking at her, but he said nothing.

When Nurse Trelawny returned she handed the doctor a slip of paper and then stood back. "Well Mrs Ellingham, we've had the same positive pregnancy result that you have. I'd like you to go with Nurse Trelawny into the next room and prepare for an ultrasound scan."

Louisa looked at Martin and gave him a small smile. He nodded and said he'd give her time to prepare before joining her. "I take it that's acceptable, Dr Lewis?"

"Yes of course, Dr Ellingham. Is this your first child?"

Martin nodded and swallowed hard. "Yes, a little unexpected as we've not been married very long."

"These things are always unexpected, Dr Ellingham." laughed Dr Lewis. "You've been in Portwenn for 4 years now, have you?"

"Yes, about that length of time. My Auntie Joan owns a farm on the outskirts of the town and when I decided to move out of London, here seemed as good a choice as any." Martin had very little difficulty conversing with a fellow medic and steered the conversation towards the latest BMJ.

"Well, I think we've given them enough time," said Dr Lewis, "come through and we'll see."

Louisa was laid on a medical couch with her trousers lowered and a medical gel applied to her abdomen. A complicated-looking screen was to her right and the nurse was holding the business end of the scanner. At a nod from Dr Lewis, she applied it to Louisa's abdomen and began moving it back and forth.

"The scanner uses very high frequency sound waves to build up a picture of your internal organs, including, if it's there, a picture of your baby. The scan builds up layer by layer as Nurse Trelawny moves the probe across your abdomen. To enhance the definition was why you were asked not to urinate beforehand. You will be able to go to the toilet once we are finished." explained Dr Lewis.

Louisa glanced at Martin who nodded affirmation. She reached out and took his hand while she watched the picture on the screen. She had difficulty in recognising anything as it all looked grey and blurred. Gradually certain bits seemed to solidify into definite shapes and after about 15 minutes or so, Louisa noticed a very small flutter in one area. "What's that fluttering, there?" she pointed at the screen. She turned to Martin who was completely mesmerised by what he was seeing.

Dr Lewis said "That's your baby's heart beating."

Louisa immediately became emotional and gripped Martin's hand harder. "That tiny thing is its heart? Can you tell if it's a boy or girl, too?"

Dr Lewis said "Not at this stage it is still too small, but in future scans it will be possible to tell that. Louisa was captivated by the image scarcely hearing what the doctor was saying. Martin asked if it would be possible to have a picture yet?

"Yes, we're set up to do that. Would you like two pictures printing?"

"Please," said Martin and Louisa together.

After about 25 minutes the test was completed and Louisa was told to get dressed and come back to the surgery. She'd looked at Martin during the scan and could tell by his bright eyes that he too, was affected by what he'd witnessed.