15 Years Ago Today …

15 years ago I was very uncomfortably waddling around a hospital ward. Being 8 ½ months pregnant with pre-eclampsia the only thing I could do was waddle and wait. I had indeed waddled to my routine anti-natal class a week earlier to give in my routine sample. I then watched my midwife transform from her normal quiet calm self into a whirlwind organising ambulances and a hospital bed. Safe to say she didn’t like my sample.

One week later they had no plans of letting me go anywhere. My massive bump was getting distressed and I wasn’t getting any better. Fast forward a few hours, several doctors and midwives and some incoherent swearing from me and Hollie was under a sun lamp getting her first tan.  As she was getting cooed over by dad and nurses over on the other side of the room I was being treated to electric cold blasting fans to cool me down and impressive array of more doctors and nurses stitching and sorting. (We won’t dwell on that bit)

Needles to say I don’t really remember much of the following 24 hours apart from one thing.  There was a lady whose sole job was to give new mums a cup of tea and a quick NHS make over. This woman was like a god to me. She brushed my hair, gave me a wash and helped me brush my teeth. She then helped me drink a cup of tea. I have never been a tea fan, the mere smell makes my top lip curl and if i drink it by mistake i can do an impressive impersonation of a cat with fur balls. But this cup of tea was the best drink i think i ever had tasted.

So to my dear teenager, who has now turned 15, I wish you a very happy birthday.