Tim shouldn't have been surprised when his father spoke to him about the feeding disagreement.

"You know plenty of bottle fed babies are healthy. With all the vaccines we have they have so many more advantages than you," Patrick said.

"Dad, you can't still feel guilty, because I had polio?"

"No son, but you were a healthy lad except for the polio and you had far fewer jabs."

"I know this. I just want the best for my child."

"You need to remember your wife's wishes. I've had two wives and they each chose to feed their baby differently."

"What? Dad was I bottle fed?"

"It was what your mother wanted. She equated breastfeeding with the poor."

"What did Sister Evangelina have to say about it?" Tim was shocked. He had never known how he was fed. He wondered if his mother had lived, if he would know now.

"Sister Evangelina was wise enough not to challenge the wife of the local GP," Patrick replied. "Unlike you, I didn't have a strong opinion. I liked that I could feed you in the middle of the night… Angela too."

"But not Teddy."

Tim remembered not being a big fan of breastfeeding when it was being done in his house. He often felt uncomfortable. He imagined that Jules might feel uncomfortable with others around — maybe not him and Mum, but certainly Teddy.

"I had to wait until your brother was a little older to feed him. Your baby will be fine either way. It's your wife, you need to support."

Tim contemplated what his father said. Julie had already agreed to read the leaflets. He would have to let it sort itself.

Soon it became apparent that Julie had her own worries. Tim didn't press about the feeding decision, because the closer her time came, Julie was more nervous about giving birth.

Tim tried to talk to her to pinpoint what she was afraid of.

"If women have to grin and bear it for sex, how can a baby's head… there is no way it will fit through down there."

She was distraught, but Tim almost laughed.

"Jules, I'm not certain who these women are, but I'm quite certain you don't grin and bear it."

"Tim! I'm serious and you're making jokes," Julie said upset.

"I'm not going to tell you it won't hurt, but your body was made for giving birth. It will adapt. A woman's body in the process of giving birth is unrecognisable."

"Tim! You're not helping!"

"I just mean that the change is good because it allows for the birth. It also goes back to normal afterwards. It is really quite amazing."

"What if I can't do it?"

"Darling, no one works harder than you. It's hard work, but you're strong. Haven't you spoken to Kate or Paula? Even Mum can help explain.

Tim was a horrible husband, everything he said, upset Julie more.

####

Julie considered that she might be unreasonable. Every where were children who had all managed to be born. Mother's constantly had more and more children. That told Julie that they survived childbirth and were willing to do it again. They were also willing to keep doing the act that led to it all.

She also worried that she would embarrass Tim, after all he was a doctor. She was afraid to talk to her midwife because it would reflect poorly on Tim. She didn't think it was right for a phone conversation with either Paula or Kate, so she was left relying on Mum. She invited her to the flat.

Shelagh came and asked immediately how Julie was feeling.

"I'm fine for a whale."

"You look wonderful!"

"I don't." Julie didn't feel beautiful although every day Tim said she was.

"Do you need help getting ready for baby. I remember feeling overwhelmed."

"I'm afraid," Julie blurted out. "Afraid of having this baby come out of my body. Tim tells me it will fit, but he's a man."

Shelagh laughed, "True, he has only seen and never felt it. I remember wondering why I had wanted a baby so badly, but any bit of pain I endured was worth it for Teddy."

"I tell myself every child comes into the world the same way."

"Most certainly do and I've assisted in hundreds maybe thousands before I gave birth and I wasn't prepared. I set out to give birth without any pain relief, but was disappointed when I couldn't. Dear, if you were my patient, I'd make sure you had plenty of gas and air."

"Gas and air?"

"It helps with the pain."

"Helps with pain. Will it embarrass Tim?"

"What are you talking about?" Shelagh asked.

"If I am weak. He works there… You work there."

"Oh my darling, no one cares how brave you are. All that matters is that this baby enters this world safely. No one wants an anxious mother. It isn't good for baby."

"So this gas will help?" She asked.

"Definitely."

###

Tim was surprised to see Mum when he came home. When she saw him, she said, "Is it that late already? Is your father still at the surgery?"

When Tim indicated he was, Shelagh called him to let him know she'd need a ride.

"Did you have a nice visit?" he asked Julie.

"You never told me about the gas?" Julie responded.

"We've been discussing nitrous oxide. It might be just the thing to calm her," Shelagh said.

Tim was failing as a husband. He was so intent on explaining how her body allowed for birth, he never assured her that pain relief was available. He didn't want her to suffer and agreed that she would need calming. She needed calming now, but he couldn't just administer nitrous oxide at home.

Later after mum left, he was rubbing her feet and silently assessing her ankles for swelling. After determining that she had very little, he said, "Jules, when it is time for our baby, I will only be your husband. I'll forget, I'm a doctor and that I work in hospital."

"But everyone knows you and if I do a horrible job they'll think…"

"Nothing, except what a wonderful mother you are. Most women worry about being responsible for such a tiny person. You aren't worried at all are you?"

"No, it's just a baby, not an alien."

Tim laughed, "He better not be."

"I'm not certain of this feeding, but Mum will help me right."

"Feeding?"

"Silly, who am I to argue with twelve year old Tim. He knew best. Besides I want our baby to be healthy."

"You know when Mum fed Teddy, I didn't much like it. I think I am going to love to watch you feed our baby," he said as he reached out to caress her breast.

"Tim! You're the one who said their purpose was for feeding."

"I lied. They have two purposes."

Tim decided, we are now ready for our baby.