The Midwife's Marriage Proposal Read Free Page A

hand on her bump. ‘Because it’s safer. Oh, help, I’ve got another contraction coming.’
    She screwed up her face and concentrated on her breathing while Sally encouraged her gently, smoothing her hand over the top of Angela’s bump so that she could feel the strength of the contraction.
    â€˜That feels like a very strong contraction. Is it going off?’ She felt the tightness ease under her hand and Angela nodded.
    â€˜Thankfully.’ She drew in a deep breath and sighed. ‘I didn’t have any of this with my first one.’
    Sally reached for the notes and skimmed them quickly. ‘The baby was breech last time.’
    â€˜That’s right. They told me I’d have to have a section right from the moment they found out, and the doctor told me at the time that if I had another baby that would be a section, too.’
    â€˜Having a section last time doesn’t mean you can’t have a normal delivery this time,’ Sally said carefully, settling herself on the bed next to Angela. ‘And it isn’t necessarily safer, Angela. It depends on the circumstances. A Caesarean section is major abdominal surgery. Sometimes it’s safer for you and the baby, but generally if you can give birth the normal way then that’s preferable. Why don’t we get you settled and then we can have a proper chat?’
    Angela took several breaths. ‘The doctor in my last hospital thought a section was the right thing for me. He said it was best.’
    Sally took a deep breath. Best for whom? she wondered.
    It was certainly true that some obstetricians were quicker to perform Caesareans than others, but the reasons for that weren’t always as clear cut as they might be.
    â€˜All right,’ she said firmly, ‘this is what we’re going to do. I can completely understand that it must be very confusing for you having come from a hospital saying one thing to a hospital saying another …’
    Angela looked at her. ‘And I don’t know anyone here,’ she muttered. ‘We had to move here because of Peter’s job. I knew all the midwives at the hospital in London. Here I don’t know anyone.’
    Her husband looked racked with guilt. ‘I should never have taken the job.’
    Angela sighed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. ‘It’s a good job, and you’ve always wanted to live here.’
    â€˜A sensible man. This is a great place to live,’ Sally said lightly, taking Angela’s hand in hers and squeezing it firmly. ‘I’ll tell you a secret. I don’t know anyone either. I’m a very experienced midwife but this is my first day on this particular unit so we can bond together and keep each other company.’
    Angela gave a wobbly smile. ‘But you’ll go off duty before the baby is born.’
    Sally shook her head. ‘Not me. All that’s waiting for me at home is lots of unpacking and even more washing so, trust me on this, I’m looking for an excuse to stay at the hospital.’
    â€˜Unpacking?’
    â€˜I’ve been away for a while,’ Sally said with a smile. ‘I haven’t had a chance to settle back in yet.’
    Emma cleared her throat. ‘I’ll leave the two of you together.’ She looked at Sally. ‘I’ll let Mr Hunter know that Angela is here.’
    Angela sighed. ‘He’s the one who wants me to have it the normal way.’
    Her husband took a deep breath. ‘The guy has a brilliant reputation, Angela. I’ve talked to a few people about him. I think you should listen to what he has to say.’
    Sally was reading the notes again. ‘I agree with your husband. You need to have a proper talk with him, tell him how you feel.’
    â€˜I’m useless with doctors,’ Angela mumbled. ‘They always intimidate me. Before they arrive in my room I have all these questions, and then once they’re standing