I have had seven children, and three have died. I certainly have had
very hard, long labours, but I don’t know that it could have been
avoided; the doctor always said it was in my favour--I am not very
strong. But I think what I suffered during my pregnancy most women have
to suffer. Although my husband and myself were very ignorant on such
matters when we were married, or some of it might have been avoided.
That is why I am so pleased it is being made a public question, so
that the people will be more enlightened on the subject.
You will see I had my first two children under the year, all due to
ignorance. It nearly sent me in a decline. My husband and myself were
very young, and no one had ever talked to me. I am pleased it is
different nowadays. I had a daughter married a year last Christmas;
her husband and her is as pure yet as the day they married. She is
twenty-seven, and her husband thirty years old. They are as happy as
two children. They are both well read, and understand things better
than I did when I married. They are passionately fond of children, and
will go in for one presently.
It is my three last babies I have buried. The doctor says I must not
have any more; it will be fatal to me if I do.
_Wages 22s. to 26s.; seven children._