This poem starts in mid November A baby due in late December.

I had planned for a conversation

That filled me with some trepidation.

The topic of which could have been a barrier

An expectant mother who’s an obligate carrier.

There are things the parents needed to know

As their baby boy, up he will grow.

I listened to both while each had their say (we’re dealing with severe haemophilia A).

This rare condition affecting The Few And chances of inheritance 1 in 2.

I gently told Daddy just what it would mean

When I explained all about this troublesome gene!

But a positive picture I ensured I did paint

Especially when Dad looked like he would faint.

I avoided the tricky bits like arthropathy Affecting the joints like the ankle, the knee. And even when there was a lengthy pause I definitely avoided inhibitors.

I had all the leaflets and lots of info

To help with my teaching before they got up to go.

There’s one thing I mentioned – a priority I told them about The Haemophilia Society.

But I needn’t have worried our chat it went well

And Mum through December continued to swell.

We’d taken precautions to prepare for the birth

A time of excitement, anticipation and mirth.

A plan of care was unfurled For the arrival of Junior into the world.

A cord blood sample, to the lab it did go And we’d know if he’s affected, yes or no.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve – all was quite quiet

Suddenly the phone rang and caused a riot.

I’d had lots of tea – almost two litres And mum was in labour – about three centimetres!

I hoped when I woke upon Christmas morn

Junior would be here – having been safely born.

Reader bear with me I don’t want to offend

I expect you’ll be wondering – How did this all end?

So this answer – to tell you I have elected

Thank goodness – this baby, he wasn’t affected.

But it could have been a whole different ride

My feelings in that case are best kept inside.