WEEK 22

The major event of week 22 is a scan at the local hospital. We turn up in the pouring rain and I drop Maria off before going in search of a car park space.

Remembering the lengthy waits for these consultations when Maria was pregnant with Sam, I take my time and stroll back to the maternity unit.

Arriving in the waiting room I’m surprised to see no sign of my wife. Perhaps I’ve gone to the wrong room ? No, I’m told, appointments are running to time and Maria is already being seen. If only the privatised rail companies could show such an improvement in punctuality!

I’m ushered into the scanning room just as Maria is slipping off the consulting couch. All’s well we’re told and a sharply developed 'photo' is shoved into my hand.

It’s not long before Maria is called over for a chat with one of the midwifes and she looks concerned… The first moment of anxiety has arrived. An irregularity has come up on the scan and alarm is raised when the chances of having a Down’s Syndrome baby seem to have increased.

The only way of finding out for sure is amniocentesis, a process which is, if anything, more risky.

We have a lot of talking to do.

Read week 23 >>

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