Giving birth in the 60s & 70s, what was it like?

I gave birth in the 70's, 80's and 90's. I have four children and saw some changes. In the 70's I had a shave, was given pethidine which made me too drowsy to perform properly, my daughter was born with the help of forceps, I stayed in for 10 days. Baby was taken into the nursery at night time.Daughters number 2 and 3 were born in the 80's, no shaves or pethidine, just gas and air. Stayed in for about 5 days, baby stayed with me at all times. Baby number 4, a boy, was born in the 90's, no shave, given gas and air, baby stayed with me and I stayed in for 5 days. So no changes from the 80's to the 90's.

At the risk of frightening the life out of young women, it was a nightmare. If nothing else, it shows the power of prayer because without it I doubt I would have survived. Every bit of this is true. I gave birth in 1961 in an NHS maternity home which was previously private. There was no theatre or resident doctor. If you needed surgery you prayed because the nearest hospital was too far away (WGC to ST Albans) apart from a small cottage hospital. I went into labour on a Thursday. Son was born on the Sunday. Most of the time I was unconscious. I remember waking up sometimes and seeing the ward sister sitting by my bed. On another occasion the doctor was examining me and I heard him ask if the waters had broken and they did then! I do not know what day it was because from the Friday to birth Sunday night I had no idea of the time. I just drifted in and out of consciousness throughout the labour. I remember the midwife cutting - and cutting, like a scratch everywhere. She apologised after for cutting me so much but said it was necessary. When he was born he was covered in meconium, yet no special examination was ever performed, They just washed him. I heard no comments as I went off again. I remember them saying he was a long baby.

I stayed in the stirrups for hours - literally and absolutely - because they had to get hold of a doctor to stitch me up. Eventually the doctor came and the stitching took forever or so it seemed. I asked him how many stitches and he said 40 but he did not count the inside ones. I was 20 years old and my first baby and in those days we did not have sex before marriage. I was kept in the hospital 10 days more and the doctor wanted me to stay longer, but I wanted to go home and show my baby off, so home I went.

I was still bleeding of course, that to be expected, but I just went on bleeding for weeks. The GP kept dishing out ergot pills which had absolutely no effect. After six weeks I went back to the maternity home for the post natal appointment. For all I was feeling it might have been a post mortem. They sent me to St Albans General for a D&C to see why I was bleeding so much. I had a room to myself because they let me take the baby with me for feeding. I went to theatre and the result was that half the placenta was left inside. With all the birth problems, they did not check the placenta. After three days I went home. A relative came down to help my husband. I took my baby out in the pram for a walk, not long, and came back to the house, not feeling well. When I got up from the sofa the blood just poured from me. It was so shocking and I was so afraid I would have to go back to the hospital. The GP came immediately and removed blood clots filling the washing up bowl and told me I must stay on the settee and not walk around until it stopped. He sent in the District Midwife who came twice a day, She did not know the history because she remarked on how quickly my stitches were healing and was shocked when I told her the baby was more than 7 weeks old. She came for a week, every day to check and clean me and eventually I was able to go upstairs at night.

I know it was only 12 years since the NHS but it seemed to me that things should have been better. When I watch the 'Call the Midwife' series it brings it all back to me. They certainly knew more then. I think if we had had District Nurses attached to the nursing home in WGC and not just for home births I would have been better served. My next baby was born at home and although it was better, I had a postpartum hemorrhage and my friend dealt with that because the thought of going into hospital was so appalling I would not let her send for the midwife. Luckily that bleeding did not continue more than usual. There was not a hospital in WGC until after son was born. In 1968 when I had my last she was born in hospital where I was for weeks before with pre-eclampsia and toxaemia. I was not even allowed to wash my hands and face,

Horrifying to think now, but they treated the pre-eclampsia with phenobarbitone three times a day. After the birth it stopped abruptly and it was so bad I kept waking up shaking all over. The nurses at that hospital were lovely, and the consultant's wife met my boys from school every day. I just think of the prayers each time.

67,69 &71. We lived in Berkshire when I was expecting my first baby and I was booked into the local maternity home for 10 days as was the norm back then. My labour became complicated during the second stage and I was blue-lighted to Oxford and was told I would probably be having a Csection. However she was delivered by forceps and I was told I would be taken back to the local maternity home the next day. Everything was very strict, babies kept in the nursery just brought out at feeding times then whipped back from you. After lunch each day the midwives came round and closed the curtains and made us relax for half an hour before doing pelvic floor exercises for another half hour. Curtains opened and babies brought back in for their feeds before afternoon visiting. This was strictly from 3-4 and the only time that friends and other family could visit you. Evening visiting was strictly for the babies dads, and our babies were brought to us again for the visiting hour. Prior to the birth I was on my own, with the midwife popping in and out and given pethidine for pain relief, my husband at work. No dads allowed to be present at the births then, so that was it.
Babies feeds were strictly 4 hourly unless your baby was premature the exception to the rule. The midwives constantly reminding us that we were in charge of our baby...and not the other way round! Stick to the four hourly feeds and don't feed on demand or you making a rod for your own back.
We had moved to Oxford by the time I had my next two children. In and out in 48 hours each time, very tired, babies by your bed day and night, and wishing you could have stayed in longer, and had more rest and sleep for 10 days like the first time around.

Yes I remember bring shaved and the dreaded enema. Only 2 toilets for all the women so God knows how we all managed. I had preeclampsia with both babies and was told not to get 'worked up" at visiting time. I was in hospital for over a week before. This has given me white coat syndrome due to the amount of times my bp was taken and the visiting time instructions. I too had about 15 students watching me give birth for my first. The midwife asked what I was doing when I was trying to do my breathing excercises during the contractions. Unbelievable. With the second I was left in a bloody bed after the birth for hours afterwards. Not sure if things are any better now!

Tigertooth I had a similar experience to your mum, in 1969. Just 21, not long married and quite naive really. Had a long labour after the obligatory enema and shave and legs in stirrups. DH not allowed anywhere near the labour ward. Baby boy delivered and taken away immediately. DH summonsed to GP later that day on his own to be told baby had severe brain and physical problems and wouldn’t survive. I saw him once in an incubator but wasn’t allowed to hold him as told it was better not to develop a bond. Just imagine that happening in 2019. I will regret not pushing for contact to the end of my days but I suppose it was different in 1969. He survived for 10 days, when I went for my post natal check up the health visitor bounced into the room and asked how baby was. Looked at the notes and said oh yes, forgot he had died. I went on on to have three healthy babies but felt very protective of them when they were first born. My DD who is a nurse was horrified at the treatment. Thank goodness for more enlightened times.

I remember when my DD was born in 1975 if you were breast feeding they brought round a crate of Mackeson Sweet Stout! I have been tee total ever since!

had 1st one in hospital in 1972,had to stay in nearly a week.Had 2nd one at home 3 years later,I remember the midwife having to come through the snow,it was 8th of April.

My son was born by c section in 1979 when all the strikes were on - the doctors couldn’t in because of heavy snow and women were allowed to smoke on the ward! I was in for about 10 days - saw my son the following day and babies were kept in a nursery over night - most people bottle fed with exact instructions of how much and when. Not a great experience tbh

I had mine in 1970 and 1972. Made all my own maternity wear because I hated the shop styles. I was into Mary Quant and hippy styles.

Both were born in a lovely old house (Maternity Home). Worse moment was when I struggled to breast feed with first born. Nurses tried all sorts. I cried so much.

This is my first post. I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed being a member. The posts have made my family dilemmas easier to deal with, reading some of the heartbreaking situations grandparents find themselves in.
I have so so enjoyed reading all the birth stories. How times have changed. I have 3 children, 1980,1984 and 1987. There are pluses and minuses to every era I think. It’s so nice to feel part of a group of similar aged people. I hope this is the start of more posts from me. Thanks to everyone.?

My first daughter was born in 1974 in Army hospital in Hong Kong. I was shaved, had enema, which I hated then induced. I remember the nurse, who kept putting these tablets under my tongue, her fingers stank of nicotine!!! The contractions were extremely painful. My husband who was in the a navy was left behind as a Typhoon was brewing. The ship had to anchor at sea for safety. He managed to get to the hospital just as I was taken to delivery room. We had discussed whether he wanted to be present at birth and he really didn’t want to be there. However he had no choice as was bundled in and gowned up. After he said it was the most magical thing ever.

My second daughter was born in a nursing home in Hampshire in 1976. The whole process was so much calmer and easier. No shaving and no enema!!

In 1973 My first daughter was 2 weeks overdue and I went into hospital to be induced. They put me in a small room where someone was already in labour and crying out. It scared me silly at the time. My daughter took 14 hours to arrive and ended up being a forceps delivery. That meant getting a doctor out at nearly midnight and she was extremely grumpy about it. Could tell the other staff did not like her!
Thankfully my daughter did arrive safely in the end.
My second daughter was born in 1976 and arrived in less that 4 hours! Such a different experience.
Both babies were taken into the night nursery and I had to stay in hospital for ten days. Then told not to go out for another two weeks once home. Seems unbelievable now.

My daughters, 1978 and 1980 were born in Queen Charlotte's. No enema or shaving and no stirrups either. Epidural for the first one (22 hour labour) but nothing for second as she arrived a bit fast. The babies were by our beds but we could opt to have them in the night nursery for the first 3 nights. I was in for 10 days with the first and 7 with the second. It was only supposed to be 5 for the 2nd one but she was rather small (4lb 6oz) and they wanted her to start gaining a bit before letting us out. Seems Queen Charlottes was quite ahead of its time, compared with some experiences on here!
My first daughter also had her first baby at QCH but in the year 2000. She had the kind of epidural where you could walk about, her partner and a friend for support and it was all very brilliant.

1967 My husband was ushered out with my clothes in a bag as soon as I had change into hospital gown. I was taken into a room, given an injection of pethidine and left by myself. I can remember someone screaming out in pain, not realising it was actually me until the chief midwife, who must have been nearing retirement age and had not had any children herself shouted at me for making such a fuss. The whole thing was horrendous and put me off having any more children for several years.
1973 Having plucked up courage to become pregnant again..........this time knowing how I was affected by pethidine I declined that and any other pain relief. My husband, again, dropped me off and was sent home. The whole scenario was much better.
Fast forward to 1982. My husband took me in, was just about to escape, when he was told to stay with me as they were short staffed. Much better.

First baby in military hospital in Germany. Made to have a bath on arrival at hospital. Shaved but dont remember enema. No stirrups but two nurses held my legs. Baby whisked away minutes after giving birth. Was taken to see her next morning in nursery. Felt so sad because I didn't know which one was mine. I had many stitches and felt like I'd barbed wire inside me. In hospital for 9 days due to baby having some blisters under her arm. Not a good experience in any way.

Had first baby son in the long hot Summer of 1976, he came quick (and on the day expected) stirrups and gas and air/ pethadine for the pain and then a week in Hospital. Was very hot !! 1980 had induced premature son so everything planned as above then stayed in for a week. 1992 daughter's birth completely different.. Midwife there, offered a big bath to sit in and then natural birth squatting, with some gas and air...stayed in Hospital for 2 days. Much more relaxed. BIG difference over 3 decades.

Just not gas

I gave birth first time in 1979 in milatary hosp shaved enema the works legs in stirrups given pethidine .gave birth naturally but wondered what had hit me lol my midwife shouted when I wanted pain relief it’s hard work that’s why they call it labour. Must admit I thought what a cow lol but had gas just 7 pound 3 daughter after 7 hour labour no stitches but I remember in the ward .the music was gently playing you got your troubles I’ve got mine think by Scott Walker, while I was being wheeled down

Just to show how times have changed I had a private room because of a few complications due to an 11 lb baby and spent a fortnight in hospital. There was an ashtray by the bed and I was having a cigarette and a glass of champagne twenty minutes after my son was born. He is now 45 and 6' 6" tall!

Tigertooth what a terrible story, your poor Mum must have been devastated.

I had stirrups, enema, shaved etc in 1983!! To add to the joy high forceps delivery and a third degree tear badly stitched by a student doctor. At least my son came out healthy and fine and is now training for Iron Man!
Sad to admit I was less than sympathetic when he told me my daughter in law was upset with her birth 4 years ago as she had to have a stitch, yes one

I was 31 and pregnant for the first time in 1970 and classed as primagravida - old first timer so lucky to be assigned to Professor McClaren's suite in the new Birmingham Maternity Hospital. My daughter arrived in eight hours, on the predicted day which was Bank Holiday Monday and our seventh wedding anniversary. Breathing exercises were the in thing and my husband had the book in his back pocket and instructed me what to do. Hilarious when we look back. Daughter was intolerant to full cream milk and spent a few days in intensive care which was a concern. The care for her and me was second to none and they worked out that she should have half cream milk which I got on prescription. I know still how fortunate I was. Son arrived in 1974, two hours ! same place, same care.

Brilliant 10 days in hospital, midwife and trainee midwife, also asked if I wouldn’t mind trainee young doctors coming at the end to see my daughter being born. So far gone with
the gas and air didn’t care. Well looked afterwards baby in nursery only at the end of my stay did they wake me up to feed her of a night.

I gave birth in Norwich in 1975, where the Domino Scheme was operated. This aimed at a short hospital stay. I was prepped by my midwife at about 2am, taken by ambulance
To hospital at 3am, gave birth at 5 am ( no doctor in attendance as things progressed quickly) and waited for the morning ambulance shift to start. They took me home shortly after 8 am. I happy and smooth experience

My son was born in 1975. Norwich operated the “Domino Scheme” which aimed at minimum time in hospital. I was prepped at home ay about 2 o’clock in the morning by my midwife, taken to hospital in an ambulance at about 3 and gave birth at about 5 am ( no doctor in attendance as things progressed quickly) and waited for the morning ambulance crew to start their shift at 8 am. Smooth and enjoyable experience!