clinic

A midwife with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome having her third baby under five. She is not feeling tired any more.

A thirty year old child care worker in her second pregnancy, anxious but brave after the unexplained loss of her first pregnancy last year at only fifteen weeks. Her husband is large and heavily tattooed but gently considerate of his delicate wife.

A young couple having their second child after their first baby died of septicaemia at four weeks old, two years ago. The infection started soon after the delivery but was not recognized as anything other than mild respiratory distress. The baby was observed without active treatment until it was too late to save it. He survived for nearly four weeks but the initial organ damage was too great to overcome. She is pale, pretty and level- headed. Her husband is a little overwhelmed. I am requesting information from the three hospitals that managed the child but I am not expecting an enthusiastic response. Medical Directors are reticent to say much when the outcome is poor.

First antenatal visit for a young woman whose mother was my patient many years ago but committed suicide while waiting for surgery. She was also my neighbour and we talked about her mum - a lovely selfless woman. She will miss her support when the baby is born.