As I played bingo, number four was knocking at the door
Tammy Hall, 30, Blackpool
With her stethoscope pressed against my bulging bump, the midwife gave a little shrug.
‘No sign he’s ready to make an appearance yet,’ she said.
‘Come on baby,’ I said, patting my tum. ‘Get a move on!’
It was October 2023, and my due date was long gone, seven days earlier.
Like most expectant mums I was anxious for my litt’un to arrive.
So were his big sister and brothers, then 12, 9 and 3. My other kids had all arrived more or less on time.
But if this one didn’t arrive soon, I’d need to be induced.
‘I’ll book you in for 1 November,’ the midwife said. ‘Just in case.’
I was a single mum, so life was hectic.
And it’d soon be even more chaotic.
So when my mum Tina, then 56, called and invited me to bingo, I jumped at the chance. 10
By the interval I was feeling hot and a bit sickly
‘Take your mind off waiting for the baby,’ she said.
She’d already sorted my nephew to pop over and babysit too!
‘Thanks Mum,’ I grinned. Me and my family loved going to bingo.
We usually went three times a week, and always shared out any winnings.
But it wasn’t really the money that I went for.
I loved the atmosphere and the buzz.
Arriving at Club 3000 in Blackpool, I felt a bit of a twinge.
‘You OK, love?’ Mum asked. One hand on my bump, I nodded.
I’d had the odd twinge across my middle, but nothing serious.
And after three labours, I knew the signs like the back of my hand.
I was pretty certain that my little one would hold out until the induction in two days’ time. Besides, I’d had long labours with all my kids, so knew there was little chance of a speedy arrival for baby number four.
‘A game of bingo will do me good,’ I said.
Inside, we bumped into my sister Charlene, then 36, and niece Alaska, 18.
We all sat together, and for a while, I was engrossed in the game.
Dabbing off my numbers, edging ever closer to a full house.
But by the interval, I was starting to feel hot and a bit sickly.
‘Just popping outside for some fresh air,’ I told Mum. ‘It’s quite stuffy in here.’
Alaska came with me. Only, as we walked outside into the car park, a massive contraction took my breath away and I bent over double.
I could barely speak. I was in so much pain. Then, a wave of sickness washed over me.
‘I need to get inside to the loo,’ I gasped. ‘I think I’m going to throw up.’
Alaska helped me into the ladies.
But then I was hit by a second contraction, which seemed
