Abstract
Pregnancy, the word conjures a sentiment of pleasure, pain and slight guilt. Discovering I was to be a mother left me in denial for the majority of my first and second trimester, and no amount of understanding the process of ‘baby growing’ made it any easier. Now with only 2 weeks until I deliver and one until I enter the realms of maternity leave I find myself grateful for the short but much needed time away.
A novice to general practice (I started my registrar year this August), I was uncertain how the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and particularly my trainer would take the news. As doctors I think we feel we are never allowed to be ‘sick’, fall pregnant or in any way succumb to the perils of simply living. My years in hospital-based practice led me to believe it would not go down too well. However, it is my pleasure to say I have only had positive support and encouragement.
I am now excited and thrilled at the prospects of being a mother. I have seen myself transform both physically and mentally over the past 9 months, and boy, am I glad human gestation offers 9 months to deal with this. I am sure the PCT appreciate this administrative time to accommodate the family plans of female GPs!
The NHS offers possibly one of the best deals regarding maternity pay and leave. As NHS professionals, we love complaining about the lack of job perks and appreciation, but when it comes to baby making, they have got our backs. A friend employed by a well-known American Internet company gets a mere 2 weeks paid post-partum leave and is expected to be back within at least 6–8 weeks. I guess I should be grateful for the fully paid 8 weeks and the 18 weeks on half-pay the government has yet to clap eyes on.
The past few weeks have seen my abdominal girth swell to levels that would most definitely cause Quality of Framework issues for my own GP, though it has also changed my consultations with patients. Working in leafy Hampstead mothers often pop in to make sure their Petit Bateau clad cherubs are not harbouring the Nisseria. meningitidis organism. They take a slight liking to the fact that doctors get pregnant too. We have mutual ground on which to base our consultation and a vested interest in cooing each other's bumps. As my bump swells, even the male patrons add their little nuggets of knowledge on child rearing and birth. I have embraced my last few weeks at work for the gems of information gathered and the way my own yet-to-arrive cherub has helped, in his own little way, nurture my consultation skills for general practice.
Archie Nilan Woodhouse was born on 27 December 2008, mother and baby are doing well.