1960s PRIVATE LIFE
0196 The Birth of Sarah
For the first
couple of years after leaving
university w
e
lived the life of riley. I wasn't earning too much, but Pat was
earning more and between us we had plenty of disposable income. Hence we
went out a lot - to the
theatre and
cinema and ate at reasonable restaurants. All that changed when Pat became
pregnant, although she stayed at
Imperial College until her seventh month.
Leaving the library; including Janice on the left, then Pat, Di and Jenny in the centre, followed by Leonore and Judith. Behind are Jeff, the Haldane librarian and Currie
For once Pat was very fashionably dressed. Immediately opposite FCB was the best maternity wear shop, I think it was called ‘Just Jane’, and with her maternity clothes from there Pat was surprisingly elegant.
A relatively elegant pregnancy
By this time I had moved to PST, and was working in the field force as part of my training. Accordingly, I was able to take Pat around with me while I visited the various chemist shops on my round.
When the time came for the birth, however, it was a nightmare. Pat was in labour for something like 36 hours, and for most of the first 24 hours I was with her expecting the baby to arrive any minute. After that I was so tired I had to go home. When Sarah did arrive, eventually needing a forceps delivery, and she was handed to me - in those days husbands did not see the birth - I was appalled by the bloody mess I beheld. I know all babies are supposed to look lovely but there are limits.
Four generations of
Lanes/Mercers at the christening
She was christened up at my parents' place in the Wirral, in Bromborough church. The godparents were our library friend Judith and my cousin Ian. Judith kept up with Sarah until she was in her teens, giving her birthday and Christmas presents, but Ian took no interest whatsoever (as did most godparents even in those days!).
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