My eldest was born November 1969 - in local maternity hospital in Walthamstow, East London. This closed a few months later, it only had two baths for the large post-natal ward AND back then, all first time mothers HAD to stay in hospital for at least ten days after baby's birth. It was also very cold in there at night. If a baby required any for of special or intensive care it was moved to local main hospital, but often, Mum, was left behind.
The Senior Doctor there insisted that ALL first time Mums HAD to breastfeed, absolutely no choice. I was then 29 years of age, and hated being told what to do - I had wanted to breastfeed my precious baby, until I was told I HAD to do so. I was then refused all help with regard to my milk coming in.
Also there were some Nun Midwives - only time I ever saw these. Eleven months later my second child was born, at home - no choice in that (although it was what I wanted). Our Victorian house then still only had the one outside loo and being a long (not wide)_ house, was a long way from our bedroom upstairs in front (Loo was outside scullery door at back).
Loved the Home Delivery and the much more personal care I received during ante natals also held at home.
In 1972 third baby arrived, rather premature, by then we were living in a new house in Essex, had meant to be a second home delivery, but when decided to come early (only four weeks early), I was rushed to hospital in Essex, as I tended to have very small weight babies. Everything went well there until hubbie begged me to come home asap. So, when she was six days old I discharged baby and me - and then all the staff were really horrible to me - I was virtually told that my baby would probably become seriously ill and die!!!!
All went well, despite me then becoming ill myself a few weeks later with D&V. Was not able to have anything to do with my two toddlers for a week, but kept my breastfed premature baby with me throughout (with careful hygeine), and she was absolutely fine.
Two and a half years later I gave birth to twins - in a large, practically new maternity department of the local large general hospital. Here, some architect or the other (Male obviously), had designed this brand new building with post-natal ward on Floor 3 and SCBU on Floor 1.!!!!
I was determined to ensure I had a good milk supply before going back home to my three other youngsters, and babies were kept firstly in SCBU, so was having to go there to feed them. Eventually, I managed to get them both up with me on the ward. I was known in Maternity as by then I was breast feeding Counsellor with NCT, and we did a lot of voluntary work there including a breast milk run, so did not take it very kindly when an agency nurse 'caught' me feeding my babies when they required it (not according to the clock), and actually told me that if I went on feeding often as they asked for it I would run out!!!! Obviously I just had a set amount, etc........ This was a nurse in Post Natal ward saying this!!
Managed to get the three of us discharged back home on the Sunday, and was delighted when I was visited same day by local elderly, but wonderful area Midwife. When I commented that I had not expected her until the following day she told me 'Anyone who can return from hospital still managing to breastfeed twins, had well earned my immediate visit.'
So, yes the CTM is right in period and places that I remember so well, but a very different planet!!!!!
