I may say that during pregnancy I suffered considerably the whole time
from sickness and severe pains. This was not due to any traceable
cause, as I took every precaution to see that I did not exert myself
and do harm. I did all my own work all the while. I had little
appetite, and was not able to sleep well. During confinement I had a
very hard time, and was a long time in recovering, and have always,
since my first child, suffered from falling of the womb, although I had
a doctor and midwife in the house three weeks. It is owing to working
women having to take on household duties too soon after confinement
that is responsible for the greatest part of the sufferings which we
are subject to. What is really wanted is a supply of real good midwives
who could be got for a month to see to all requirements of the patient
and the home while the woman has a fair chance of recovering. It is the
system of midwives attending too many cases at the same time that is
responsible for a lot of the trouble, as the woman gets neglected and
are forced to get about before they are fit.
_Wages 30s. to 35s.; three children, one still-born._