The waiting area in the diagnostic imaging department at Coleshaw Hospital was busy and running late. Jan and Chris had been making conversation, but now he was answering messages on his phone while Jan sipped from the water bottle she’d brought with her, watching the comings and goings of the department. The instruction sheet for the scan had stated to drink two to three glasses of water before the scan. Jan was following these instructions as she’d followed all the antenatal advice. She’d been sipping the water at home, during the car journey here, and was now finishing the second bottle. She hoped she didn’t have to wait long as her bladder felt uncomfortably full.

She glanced at Chris and then at the woman sitting opposite, whose partner was also concentrating on his phone. The woman met her gaze and threw her a knowing smile, which Jan returned. She’d found a camaraderie among pregnant women that was reassuring, like joining a support group.

Jan had been very worried when she’d been told she would need another scan, although the nurse had assured her there was nothing to worry about and the baby was fine. The fact that it was very active showed how healthy it was. She had been able to feel it kicking and moving at fourteen weeks, with little bulges appearing in her stomach wall.

A nurse appeared. ‘Jan Hamlin, you’re next.’

Jan immediately stood, so did Chris. ‘This is my partner,’ Jan said to the nurse. It was important he felt included.

‘This way, please,’ the nurse said, with a warm, professional smile. ‘How are you both?’

‘Fine, thank you,’ Jan said.

‘And how’s the father to be?’ she asked, looking at Chris.

‘A bit nervous,’ he admitted.

‘Like all dads are.’

She showed them into one of the scan rooms, closed the door and asked Jan to lie on the couch. Jan knew the routine from the previous scans. Chris helped her onto the couch and then drew up a chair to sit beside her. Jan pulled down the top of her trousers and pants to expose her stomach, now showing a reasonable-sized baby bulge, of which she was proud.

‘The gel can feel a bit cold,’ the nurse said as she squirted some onto Jan’s stomach.

Jan turned her head so she could see the monitor as the nurse began moving the transducer over her stomach. Up and down, and around, pressing on her full bladder. Chris was concentrating on the screen too. He had a better view – sitting, rather than lying as she was. While they had been delighted by the first scan – proof she was pregnant – it hadn’t really shown much. A pulsing, indistinct image of a developing foetus with an oversized head, lying on its back in a dark uterus. This scan was far more detailed.