Linda Fairley - Midwifes Here!: The Enchanting True Story of Britains Longest Serving Midwife

Linda Fairley

The Midwifes Here!

The Enchanting True Story of One of Britains Longest Serving Midwives

For Peter, who told me I could write this book.
He was so proud of me, and I know hed have loved it.

Contents

Go, and do thou likewise.

The midwifes here! Mick Drew exclaimed, nudging his wife Geraldine as I approached her bedside.

Mick gave me a broad smile that was filled with a mixture of gratitude and relief. It was a look I was growing accustomed to seeing on the faces of husbands with expectant wives, and I had learned that the more imminent the birth, the more appreciative and thankful the smile became.

It was early 1971 and Geraldine was about two months away from giving birth, but she was in the highly unusual position of expecting naturally conceived triplets, which no doubt more than trebled her loving husbands concern.

Flamin eck, how long? Ill go round the twist! Geraldine had balked when I outlined her birth plan a few months earlier, explaining that her multiple pregnancy automatically meant she would be admitted to the antenatal ward in Ashton General Hospital for bed rest when she was seven months pregnant.

Thats the rule, Im afraid, I explained, thinking it was unfortunate Geraldine wouldnt benefit from our brand new maternity unit, which wasnt due to open until the end of the year. Dont you worry, well take good care of you in here and Im sure youll enjoy the break.

Geraldine tittered. Well, I suppose rules is rules, though Im not sure how my old man will take it!

She and Mick already had three young children, and quite how he was going to cope alone with them while his wife was in hospital was not yet apparent.

I suppose itll be good training for him, Geraldine said cheerfully the last time I saw her at antenatal clinic. Seeing as how were going to end up with six! Hell have to get used to doing his share and keeping an eye on three of em.

I was pleased to see Geraldine had an easy-going nature and was quick to see the funny side of life. She would doubtless need those qualities to cope with a brood that size.

As for me, Ill just have to get meself a pile of good mags to keep me busy, wont I? she winked. Im sure Ill cope.

It hadnt taken Geraldine long to settle herself into the antenatal ward, aided amiably by Mick, who was a round, ruddy-cheeked man who visited often and had such a spring in his step he appeared to bounce down the corridor, flared brown trousers swishing round his ankles.

Every day he wheeled in a little tartan shopping trolley of provisions for his wife and greeted her by planting a huge kiss on both cheeks, and then on the lips. One for each baby, he always beamed before handing Geraldine a packet of sweets or a paper bag containing drinks and magazines.

Hows she doing, Nurse? he always asked me earnestly. Everything as it should be?

Yes, everything seems fine, I reassured him. Your wife is doing very well indeed.

Terrific! he grinned. Shes a coper, my Geraldine, that she is.

Int he a smasher, Nurse? Geraldine would often say after his visits. Ive got meself a real diamond in Mick, thats for sure.

I got so used to seeing Geraldine plumped up on a pillow, swathed in a garish purple satin nightgown Mick had bought her at Stockport market, that after just a few weeks it felt as if shed always been with us. Sometimes she even talked the nurses into letting her help out with the tea trolley, dishing out cuppas to other patients.

Does me good to stretch me legs, shed grin as she waddled round the ward shouting out, Two sugars as usual, Mrs Crowe? Best keep your strength up!

Evening, Nurse! shed always bellow when I turned up for a shift. How are you tonight?

Its me who should be asking you that, Id laugh, marvelling at how much energy Geraldine had in her condition. Ill be round later, make sure youre OK.

When a woman is expecting triplets she is at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, protein in the urine and oedema of the ankles, all of which are complications that can threaten the safety of the mother and baby.

I knew Geraldine wasnt averse to sneaking to the toilets for a cigarette because I often smelled it on her breath, so I was always very particular about checking her blood pressure, in case smoking affected it.

Mick smuggled in the cigarettes, usually hidden in the paper bag he brought beneath a bottle of Vimto, a copy of Womans Weekly and a quarter of pineapple cubes from the corner shop. He tried to be fairly discreet about the cigarettes, but Geraldine didnt really care if she got caught smoking, and often left empty packets and dog ends on the locker beside her bed.

One night as I sat beside Geraldine for a routine blood pressure check, I asked her how she was feeling being stuck in hospital for so long.

Right as rain, she chirped. To tell you the truth, you were right. Im enjoying the rest.

Lowering her voice and staring down at her wedding ring, she added bashfully: Im glad I dont have to face im indoors all the time, too.

Whatever do you mean? I asked. Mick thinks the world of you, and I thought you said he was a diamond?

Geraldine leaned her head towards me conspiratorially and fixed her big green eyes on mine. They were glinting with what looked like a mixture of fear and excitement.

Can you keep a secret, Nurse? she whispered.

Before I had a chance to answer, Geraldine was mouthing the words: Theyre not his! As she did so she pointed dramatically to her pregnant belly, which was now so huge it looked fit to burst at any moment.

My eyes felt as if they were bulging out of their sockets, but I tried my best to remain calm and composed in the face of such alarming and unexpected news.

Well, I dont know what to say, I blushed. I could feel the colour rising in my cheeks in preparation for her inevitable explanation and confession.

You see, Nurse, Im not proud of it, but I went out to a dance in Tarporley and got drunk. I was on those Cinzano and lemonades. Not used to em. I had a one-night stand and, trust my luck, I landed up with triplets! Can you believe it?

She chuckled half-heartedly while I gaped open-mouthed and shook my head.

No, nor could I, especially when I missed my next period and worked out the dates. Mick had been away, you see, got a big job laying Tarmac on the new motorway in Lancaster. You wont say anything, will ya, Nurse?

I patted her hand and gave her a big smile. Course not, I said. Why would I? Looks like he loves you to bits. I wouldnt dream of interfering. Now come on, get some sleep. Those babies could come any day now youre thirty-five weeks pregnant.

I was absolutely stunned by Geraldines revelation, and not altogether certain Id done the right thing in playing down her infidelity. It wasnt my place to judge her, of course, but now I felt complicit in the deceit and I wished shed never confided in me. That said, I found it impossible to be cross with Geraldine. She was such a likeable woman, as down to earth as they come. Her secret was safe with me.