My eldest was born in Walthamstow, E17 in 1969. Can remember in the maternity home where he was born there were Nuns working there. No idea from where as I can never remember seeing any around. The Moon landings, all post natal Mums were 'ordered' by Matron to go into the common room to watch it on tv. There was no Special Care Unit for babies there, any baby that required that was sent to local hospital, but Mum was usually left at this unit or sent home.
First time Mums had to stay in this unit for a minimum of ten days following the birth, in order to recover and to learn how to feed, bath, etc our new baby. All first time Mums had to breast feed (by order of Consultant).
There were no showers and only two baths between all post natal patients. The central heating, sujch as it was hardly worked. The building was old, tired and falling apart. It closed within the year., The main thing I learned there was there was the wonder of salt water to help epesiotomy.
Eleven months later I gave birth to my next child, at home (although only an outside loo), with the assistance of wonderful midwifery service. There was no choice, Mothers who had delivered without complications previously had to have next baby at home.
A modern, state of the art unit was building in the grounds of our local General Hospital1, , So up to date !!!- had twins there six years later - Special Care Babies unit was on floor ONE, but post natal ward for \mums was on floor THREE.