Dear Diary – Page 88

While working at Peter Brotherhoods was a huge improvement on my employment history, the early 1970’s were providing even more challenges.

Both motorcycles had been sold, and replaced with an old Morris Minor 1000 (it was, and looked, and performed, very old!) which was a more appropriate family vehicle. Our financial situation was now stable and under control.

In the early part of 1971, we were rather surprised to learn that we had another child on the way. Delivery was projected by the GP to be early August. Given our birth control methods, this came as a great surprise however, we were advised to discontinue with the “pill”!

In the latter part of October, I woke up in the “early hours” to hear my partner asking what the time was! A few moments later, she asked again. She then decided to have a soak in the bath, but kept asking me what the time was. My brain suddenly engaged and I asked her what we were timing, that was clearly happening every 10 minutes or so. We decided that it might be a good idea for me to head off down the road to our local phone box (about 1/2mile away) and call for an ambulance.

I remember it being a lovely morning. A nice clear sky. No traffic. I strolled off down the road until it really hit me… and I dashed the rest of the way. The ambulance was at the  house by the time I got back!

Melanie was born on October 25 so we concluded that the GP was wrong on …but, having discontinued the birth control pill, it was not long before the situation was rectified! I did suggest to the GP that he pay us a monthly maintenance given the circumstances, but he was a “big family man” and could not see any problems.

1971 m and sSimon & Melanie – 1971

22 thoughts on “Dear Diary – Page 88”

  1. OH my gosh on that Doctor! I wonder how many other patients there may have been that he gave the same “advice” too! I can understand it being a stressful time, but have to say “Awh…..!!” on the picture! 🙂

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    • As noted, her GP believed in large families. She had missed a period and his response was “A fine young healthy person like you… you’re pregnant!” It was totally dismissed as a non-event, and what did we know at that age! We were brought up to revere doctors and never question their decisions. Such were the 60’s and 70’s! 🙂

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  7. Lovely picture Colin.
    My brother was amazed the day I was born. I was delivered by the district nurse and my Dad at home on a Saturday. Bro had gone to work in the morning and when he returned at lunchtime, I’d arrived. He kept looking at Mum and then me, saying in a whisper ‘Just think, she was in your tummy this morning’.

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    • In the UK at that time, one was allocated a doctor. My wife “inherited” her family’s doctor, as I “inherited” mine. It was possible to change, but the “red tape” and the end result generally did not make it attractive. You could end up with a doctor that was difficult to get to! Keep in mind that personal telephones were uncommon, and many people relied on public transport to get around. How I loved Canada where the doctors were basically in competition with each other! 🙂

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