The Diary Of An Expectant Father (The Diary Of A Father Book 1)

by Pete Sortwell

  *** Due Date***

  Nothing. No baby at all.

  I went to work as usual. I’ve had my phone on the loudest possible setting for the last month and even with regular trips to the outside bins and numerous phone calls to check it’s working, the news just isn’t there for Alison to ring me with.

  Half of me wants it to come so I don’t have to be at work, the other half wishes my phone would break so her mum has to go with her and deal with the nasty stuff. I know I shouldn’t think like that, but I can’t help it. I’m scared that Jane wasn’t lying about her ‘friend’. The logical side of me knows it’s very unlikely that she has any friends at all and I already know she’s a complete arse, but it doesn’t stop the negative part of my thinking grabbing on to what she said and using it to beat myself with.

  Alison had her appointment with the midwife. She just came round and asked some questions, and then did a ‘sweep’ which is not as nice as it sounds. She basically puts her hand inside and checks where things are. The results are, no more movement, the baby is still engaged, but there is no dilation. We just wait now.

  Monday September 17th 2012

  The last week has just been an endless round of waiting. There is nothing to report other than a really uncomfortable Alison and a really tired me.

  The midwife is coming round tomorrow, so hopefully there’ll be something she can do something to help Mother Nature along.

  Tuesday September 18th 2012

  Another sweep. Still no dilation. She’s booked us in for inducement on Monday. I asked if that was a bit later than the ten days the last midwife told us they’d allow us to go over, but apparently they’re all booked on Friday and the weekend isn’t the best time as they don’t have as many staff on.

  You’d think if they have a time frame they’d stick to it and not change it because they can’t staff as much. I doubt the risk is any lower at a weekend. I’m trying not to get angry with the NHS. It’s only me that’ll get harmed.

  Saturday September 22nd 2012

  I got a film for us to watch today, I wanted to try and take both our minds off Monday. The wait is now really doing both our heads in. We got an Indian, too, Alison has been drinking all sorts of weird tea after reading on the Internet that it’ll bring on the birth. There’s so many old wives tales about what will bring the birth forward and all of them are bollocks.

  Alison was crying throughout the film, even at the funny stuff, she is uber-emotional. Me? I held my eyes wide open to make sure I couldn’t be accused of crying when the dog died in Marley And Me.

  Sunday September 23rd 2012

  23.00 p.m.

  I think the waters have broken. Alison says she is unsure.

  23.10 p.m.

  Just Googled. Most people say we’ll be ever so sure if they have broken. Alison is ringing the Ward anyway.

  23.25 p.m.

  The Ward have said we need to come and see them at nine in the morning. Alison is getting some pain, but not much. It’s starting, though. I can’t believe nine months has passed, it's flown by.

  I’m going to become a father tomorrow.

  To Be Continued ...

  To my mate, Lively.

  Thanks

  Thanks for reading The Diary of an Expectant Father. If you’ve enjoyed reading, please drop by the point of purchase, your blog/Facebook/Twitter or your mum’s house and leave a review, they all help.

  Thanks also, to Julie Lewthwaite, who has yet again helped no end in getting this book into your hands; Graham D. Lock, who did the cover for me; and to everyone out there who has supported my writing.

  Coming soon:

  The next in the diary series, ‘The Diary of a Hapless Father: Months 1-3’, charts those first three terrifying months of parenthood.

  Also by Pete Sortwell:

  The Village Idiot Reviews:

  The Office Idiot Reviews:

  The Idiot Government Reviews:

  More Village Idiot Reviews:

  The Complete Idiot Reviews box set:

  Dating in the Dark:

  So Low, So High, my debut novel, published in the UK by Caffeine Nights:

  I can be found on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pete-Sortwell/255907757862913

  Twitter: @petesortwell

  email: petesortwell@googlemail.com

  Cheers, all the best,

  Pete