115. Proper Care.
With regard to myself, fortunately I have always had the proper care, with the result that I had normal times.
My first child (a boy) died when he was eight months old. My health broke down, and he had to be taken from the breast, no food agreed with him, convulsions set in, and my loved one died. I was three years, then had another (a girl). Two years and nine months after that I had another girl. Both these are now fine young women. The proposed scheme to “link up the State with the home and the municipality under one authority” is just what is wanted in all towns and cities. Much suffering would be saved and many lives spared.
From the advice that mothers have been able to get at the “Baby Welcome” here, many babies’ lives have been saved. But this is voluntary, and a fortnight ago a week was set apart to go from house to house for subscriptions in every district, as the work could not go on without funds.
Wages 27s. 6d. to 35s.; three children.
116. Eight Miscarriages.
I have not had any children to bring up, but I have had the misfortune to have had eight miscarriages, the last one as far back as 1898, when I had to go to the infirmary for an operation, and I have not had any since. But you must understand they have not been brought on by neglect or ill use, but by my having a severe attack of influenza in 1891 before I was married, which left me with weakness of the womb. I had to be attended by the doctor every time.
No child, eight miscarriages.
117. Need for Municipal Midwives.
I have had two average children—one a boy aged nine years, the other a girl aged four years. As regards pregnancy, I had general good health—though I felt rather faint at times in the first and second month—up to the seventh month, and then I used to feel rather bad some days—cramp in my legs, etc. I have been able to keep my house going up to the time of confinement (my husband being a mechanic, I had to do the housework and washing and cooking). I must tell you I am a teetotaler, and during pregnancy I used every morning to take fine groats with plenty of milk. I still took them every morning and evening after my babies were born, and I had sufficient milk for them until I weaned them, starting from ten months and finishing them altogether at one year. Neither of them had any fits or convulsions, my boy’s first illness being at the age of five and half years, and my little girl has not had an illness yet. At the present time they are both well in health. I think I should dearly like to see State maternity nurses, for this way there is the greatest difficulty in securing a nurse. I know from one or two of my friends and from my own experience we were all greatly worried at not being able to secure good nurses. As you are aware, many of them drink, and others don’t care to come when there are other children to look after. I had a doctor, and had to pay 14s. a week for a nurse. I think expectant mothers should not be allowed to work in factories, etc., when they are pregnant, for you want as much fresh air as possible.