She plans to make the most of it, and since a certain famous obstetrician isn't available, she decides to have the village midwife. Tristram interrupts (on the day "I am now writing this book for the edification of the world . . . March 9, 1759") to observe that people go from one extreme to the other, illustrating his point by telling of something his "dear, dear Jenny" did the other day.
Mr. Shandy, thinking about public opinion in case anything should go wrong with the birth, engages the man-midwife, Dr. Slop, but Mrs. Shandy will have no one but the midwife herself. They finally agree that Dr. Slop will just stand by in case of trouble, and that the midwife will assist at the birth.
Tristram reminds the reader that when he spoke of his "dear, dear Jenny," he might have been referring to a daughter or merely to a good friend. A female reader ("Madam") whom he speaks to directly seems to doubt that she is anyone but his "kept mistress." Tristram, however, admits nothing.
