The end of another boring school meeting.
We were sitting, chatting, idly gossiping, sharing stories, laughing.
One of the other women suddenly turned to me and asked if I wanted to hear a story.
"Is it a good one?" I asked.
"It's a doozy"
And it was.
Here it is.
~
Almost 6 years ago C was living in Edinburgh, on a working holiday, enjoying life. She was working hard, partying hard and flatting with her sister.
Just before Christmas her mum flew out from Australia to have a white Christmas with her girls.
Christmas Eve they walked the streets, ate well, drank gluhwein and enjoyed the winter version of Christmas.
But C began to feel unwell. Soon she was vomiting. They called the NHS; "see how you go and come in if it gets worse"
A couple of panadol and a restless night with not much improvement and C fronted up to hospital instead of unwrapping her presents under the tree.
A doctor ran some tests and then pale-faced asked to speak to her privately.
Her mum and sister left the room.
The doctor then informed her she was pregnant.
2 hours later she gave birth to a full-term, healthy, 7lb baby.
The biggest surprise Christmas present ever.
~
She had had no idea.
Her periods had been regular. Her size 10 jeans still fit. No-one had noticed a thing.
I'm sure my jaw literally dropped. I've always been a sceptic. Thought those stories in trashy magazines and late-night tv were rubbish. Dismissed them out of hand.
I still find it hard to believe. For me, nothing remained the same when I was pregnant. My appetite changed, my boobs changed, I was tired, I grew babies that wriggled and hiccoughed and whose feet I could hold through my abdominal wall.
To imagine a life growing inside someone with no outside changes simply staggers me.
And yet, there's no denying C's story.
I'm sure some people would envy her easy, trouble-free pregnancy.
Not me - I loved being pregnant - enjoyed (nearly) every step - I marvelled at how my body changed and evolved and coped. I loved the planning and the dreaming of the future. Thrilled at the anticipation of what was to come.
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| {no mistaking what's going on here} |
Do you have a hard time believing stories like this?
Have you heard any good stories recently?
