Josa’s pregnancy diary - weeks 20-22

It got worse at home when I looked at the charts they had filled in, in my hand-held notes. There are graphs showing where the baby’s measurements lie in relation to the average. One measurement stood out – the baby’s head seemed to be well below average in size – and small for his dates. Now, as a family, both sides have huge heads. Not easy for buying hats, and very characteristic.

Ultrasound is notorious for its anxiety-inducing function – and it was certainly happening to me. I wept with worry, and Thoby, who takes it all so much more in his stride, rang my hitherto unseen obstetrician. He was very reassuring, but I wanted another scan to check. We offered to go private for this one, anything for a bit more personal attention. We were booked in immediately for that afternoon.

Quite different – two highly qualified doctors in the room, careful measurements taken, every question answered. We could even see the blood flowing around the baby’s heart in vivid colour. The head measurement this time was bang on average. There were no ‘soft markers’ but there are no certainties either – just more statistics of probability, possibly as low now as one in 1,000. At this point I have stopped fiddling around and think I will just get on with the pregnancy.

See Anastasia's pregnancy diary for weeks 20-22.