Six And A Half Pounds

Joanne Ross

1981

Days are long and hot. Im still a teenager, almost ages with Lady Diana Spencer who is to marry Prince Charles in July. Luckily for me big hair, baggy dungarees and loose fitting sailor dresses are all in fashion. It is Thursday 28th May, 1981.

I wake and Im bleeding. I tell my mother. Oh, she says, thats what you call a show of blood; you must be going into labour. She insists on driving me to the hospital where the doctor says, you first time mothers are always having false labours. A quick examination and he tells me Im not due for another two months. But I tell him Ive worked out the dates. Nonsense, says he, Im far too small, he has the scan report and Ill be lucky to have the baby next month, never mind next week. He packs me off with a plastic container in which Im to collect urine samples and return in a fortnight. Bloody typical, my mother says. ... (continues)