Page 46 of Heartbreak for the Irish Midwife

‘Indeed.’

Once Sister had gone he had a brief chat with Peggy, then finished the paperwork and left. Where to next? Unfortunately he had no pretext for popping into the antenatal clinic to see Maisie – he didn’t even know which women had appointments today. He would have to do shifts there eventually, but for now he was to concentrate on A Ward, the nursery, and labour ward. Taking the stairs, he made his way up to the Rosalind Nursery, his thoughts wandering to the various social events on the horizon, and he kicked himself at having missed the opportunity to get Peggy on side for the tea dance. Getting Peggy and Dan to agree made it far more likely that Maisie would go. And he really, really wanted Maisie to go.

14

Friday clinics were always a bit quieter. The senior doctors and visiting staff generally booked in urgent cases only, and mostly saw their own white-card patients. Most of their white-card consultations took place in their private consulting rooms, but they would bring white-card women in if they wanted hospital-based services or tests.

The others – the complex cases sent by GPs for free treatment – were left to the other doctors, generally senior housemen and above. Occasionally a newly qualified doctor helped in clinic, but the tutors prioritised surgical and post-surgical work for them, along with newborn checks. That, after all, was considered the core set of skills they were expected to learn.

By mid-morning the clinic team were well on top of the appointments, and had even been able to get some women seen early, for which the women were grateful. Most women came at least a quarter of an hour before their slot, resigned to waiting patiently for their turn. There were also usually a few unbooked women calling in hope that they would be seen, as they were worried about something. Today so far there had been only one – a white-card woman in early pregnancy with spotting. The doctor had told her gently that a miscarriage wasn’t inevitable and that she should go home to await events.

Maisie was just building up the courage to ask if she could pop up to check on Mrs Lennon when Sister Higgins from labour ward arrived to speak to Sister Hanna. A few minutes later they both emerged, Sister Hanna saying, ‘Aye that’s no problem. Happy to help.’ Her gaze swung to Maisie. ‘Midwife Canavan!’

‘Yes, Sister.’

‘You’re needed in labour ward for the rest of today. I’ll see you again on Monday.’

‘Oh, right.’ Labour ward! Suddenly Maisie’s pulse was racing. ‘Yes, of course.’ Removing her apron, she rolled it up and placed it in the laundry basket at the back of the clinic. She would be given a fresh one in labour ward.

Sister Higgins made polite conversation with her as they went up to the middle floor. Yes, she had recently qualified. She had been working here two weeks. Yes, she was enjoying it.

‘You trained in London, Sister Hanna was telling me.’ Sister Higgins looked a bit strained – which was understandable, since presumably labour ward was really busy if they needed extra help.

‘I did. King’s College Hospital.’

‘And you did plenty of births there?’

‘Aye. About thirty in all – though the first twenty or so I was always with a qualified midwife.’

‘That’s a good way of doing it. But you’re able to handle a birth?’

I hope so. ‘I am.’ She had to speak more confidently than she felt, otherwise what was the point? ‘I’m good with straightforward birth, and I can spot when things are going wrong.’

‘That’s all I need. Good girl!’ Sister quickened her pace as they entered labour ward. ‘I need you for the lady in room 4.’

‘Of course.’ My first birth since Edie and Agatha. Her mind shied away from the story when it realised something else. My first birth since Gerald and I broke up.

Sister picked up a clipboard from her desk. ‘Mrs Duffy,’ she recited. ‘Age twenty-seven. In labour since during the night. Due date next week. Three children at home and then a few pregnancies lost.’ She paused, counting. ‘Two miscarriages, a stillbirth, then another miscarriage. And now this pregnancy.’

‘Right.’ The woman would likely be really anxious. ‘How’s she doin’?’

Sister grimaced. ‘She’ll be better once she has somebody supporting her properly.’ She pointed to a cupboard at the back of the office. ‘Aprons and gloves are in there. If any more women arrive I’m gonna have to go in with the next lady myself – I had to leave Mrs Duffy on her own while I went to ask for help from the clinic. I’ve been checking in on her since the night shift girls went home, thinking she must be getting close to delivery, but no sign of it. There’s a few doctors about, and Dr Fenton has said he’ll base himself here today. He’s doing his rounds at the minute.’

Maisie was already donning a crisp, clean apron. ‘Mrs Duffy, room 4.’ She pulled some new rubber gloves from the packet, placing them carefully in the pocket of the apron.

‘Thanks, Midwife Canavan. You’re a star.’

Taking a deep breath, Maisie made her way to room 4 and knocked on the door. On hearing a muffled ‘Come in!’ from inside she entered with a smile.

‘Mrs Duffy? I’m Midwife Canavan. How are you?’

‘Desprit!’ Mrs Duffy had been leaning over the bed, but straightened when Maisie came in. She looked close to tears. ‘Stuck here for hours and nothing happening. Nobody’s been near me for ages either. I’d ha’ been better off at home!’

‘Ah, no!’ Advancing, she put a gentle hand on the woman’s shoulder. ‘Well, I’m here now, and hopefully I can stay with you until your baby’s born.’

‘Aye, that’s what the night nurse said, then on she went once it got to morning.’

Maisie couldn’t comment on this. ‘So you’ve been in labour a while then?’