HLM -Chapter 1162 LMC

Giving a pregnancy test as a Christmas gift might seem a bit odd, but for Wang Bo, there was nothing that could have surprised him more.

Eva giggled. “I want you to feel what I felt last Christmas when I opened my eyes and realized I was in Northern Europe.”

Wang Bo exaggeratedly wiped his eyes. “Then why didn’t you cry back then? I’m so excited I could cry right now.”

Father Bo said, “Come on, be serious. You’re going to be a father and still joking around. No wonder Eva didn’t want to go to the amusement park yesterday—so many people, what if you got hurt in the crowd?”

Mother Bo focused on another matter. “Xiao Bo, when will you two have the wedding? You better start preparing. I don’t want the baby showing up with a big belly at the wedding.”

Wang Bo said, “After the holidays, we’ll go get our marriage certificate. As for the wedding itself, we’ll have to plan that carefully. Okay, darling?”

Eva smiled, her eyes like crescent moons. “Whatever you decide, I’ll follow your lead on this.”

Getting a marriage certificate in New Zealand isn’t as simple as in China, where a couple just goes to the civil affairs office.

First, both parties need to set a wedding date. (Though they don’t necessarily have to marry on that exact date.) Then they must book a registered officiant in New Zealand. Next, they must obtain a marriage application form from the Department of Internal Affairs or download it online.

After that, either party brings valid identification and submits the application, paying the required fees.

Generally, the department sends the approved documents to the couple within a week, at which point they become legally married.

However, because the Māori people have a trial-marriage custom, many young people of other ethnicities have adopted this practice. So in New Zealand, young people generally don’t place much importance on weddings, and the concept of marriage has become somewhat diluted.

Wang Bo still wanted the certificate. He didn’t care much for formality, but he knew Eva would want it.

Privileges exist everywhere, and New Zealand is no exception. Though the country ranks highly in terms of integrity, having influence and money still makes things easier.

They obtained their marriage certificate in Auckland, with the Department of Internal Affairs expediting their process. After submitting their documents, they waited only half an hour before receiving the certificate.

“Congratulations. On behalf of New Zealand, I hereby declare you a legally married couple on this land,” said an official at the Auckland office with a smile.

Wang Bo shook the official’s hand in thanks, then gave Eva a look and whispered with a grin, “Now I can legally sleep with you, my dear.”

Eva replied with mock regret, “It’s legal, yes, but according to the doctor, for the next two months you’ll have to live like a single man again.”

On the way back from Auckland, Wang Bo bought a new pregnancy test.

Eva frowned. “Don’t trust me?”

Wang Bo kissed her. “No, I just want to reclaim the joy of being a new dad. You can’t have all the fun by yourself. I want to relive the moment of discovering the pregnancy. And of course, to confirm it again with you.”

These were his true feelings—he would never doubt Eva in this matter.

Eva raised her hands in surrender and went to the bathroom once they were back in the bedroom.

After a while, she called, “Darling, come in.”

Wang Bo shouted, “Was discovering your pregnancy the first time always this casual? Come on, let me feel it—hurry, hurry!”

Eva said helplessly, “Come on, I prepared for this check. My period didn’t come this time, and my body gave me some signs—I knew there might be a little one.”

“Fair enough, you’ve got a point,” Wang Bo said.

He ran in and asked, “So, what’s up?”

Eva showed him the new pregnancy test. “Look, two lines, C and P are both red.”

Wang Bo was puzzled. “What does this mean?”

“You’re going to be a dad,” Eva said. “It means this woman—you know, me—is pregnant!”

Wang Bo hugged her tightly, overwhelmed. “Really? Am I going to be a dad? Oh my god, I’m so happy! Eva, you’re pregnant!”

Eva asked, “Do you want to repeat the test? Maybe this one isn’t accurate?”

Wang Bo said, “No need. How could it be wrong? You chose to take the test because you sensed it—missed period, morning sickness, feeling unwell?”

Eva: “…”

The next day, they went to the hospital for a full checkup with Doctor Yi.

He first measured the blood HCG level. Seeing the results, he nodded decisively. “Congratulations, Eva, you’re going to be a mom. Wang, you’re going to be a dad.”

Wang Bo held Eva’s hand and smiled. “Then I have to treat you even better.”

Eva was surprised. “You haven’t been doing your best yet?”

Wang Bo replied immediately, “Trust me, darling. I’ve already done my best for you, but not for the child yet. Now that you’re one, I have to put in extra effort.”

Someone waiting nearby for a massage clapped and said, “Mayor, now I understand how you won Eva’s heart. Your words are as sweet as honey.”

Wang Bo smiled and made an OK gesture. “If you truly know me, you’ll realize my actions are even sweeter than my words.”

Eva being pregnant was not only joyful—it meant a series of preparations had to begin.

The most important task was finding an LMC, a Lead Maternity Carer.

This person is the primary caregiver for the expectant mother throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.

An LMC isn’t a simple nanny. Their duties include regular checkups, advising on nutrition and fitness, guiding the birthing process, assisting postpartum recovery, providing emotional support during and after pregnancy, and checking the baby’s health at six weeks postpartum.

From these responsibilities, it’s clear that an LMC is a birth expert, requiring knowledge in medicine, nursing, and psychology.

There are many types of LMCs, including independent community midwives, family doctors, private obstetric specialists, and hospital-based midwives and doctors.

Doctor Stockton is also an LMC. Because of his role as a physician, his services are free for the town’s pregnant women.

However, after discussing it, Wang Bo and Eva decided to choose a female LMC instead.

Doctor Yi felt hurt. “Don’t trust me?”

Eva explained, “Don’t get me wrong, doctor. We trust you completely, but you have to understand Wang’s parents—their views are different from ours. They can’t accept a male LMC.”